Is There Any Difference Between Coaching and Therapy?
You bet there is! There are significant, contrasting and complimentary differences between therapy and coaching, and these differences in and of themselves better highlight the strengths of coaching and illustrate how coaching can compliment therapy as well (and vice versa).
The chart below compares Coaching vs. Therapy:
| Therapy |
Coaching |
| Assumes the client needs healing |
Assumes the client is whole |
| Roots in medicine, psychiatry |
Roots in sports, business, personal growth venues |
| Works with people to achieve self-understanding and emotional healing |
Works to move people to a higher level of functioning |
| Focuses on feelings, past events, diagnosis and treatment of emotional concerns |
Focuses on actions and the future |
| Explores the root of problems |
Focuses on solving problems |
| Works to bring the unconscious into consciousness |
Works with the conscious mind |
| Works for internal resolution of pain and to let go of old patterns |
Works for external solutions to overcome barriers, learn new skills and implement effective choices |
Adapted from Hayden and Whitworth, 1995
Why Hiring a Coach Who Is (or Has Been) a Therapist or Clinical Social Worker is a Bonus for You
In addition to coaching, I've been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) for over 15 years. Social work has many subspecialties, including my strongest area of experience - providing psychotherapeutic and/or mental health services. Did you know that there are more social workers providing therapy services in the United States than any other mental health profession? And that social workers with a master's degree often have had more 'hands on' experience assessing and treating clients while in training than any other mental health discipline?
I bring a variety of strengths and value to coaching you that come from my therapy experience and training. Strengths that help me help you increase your confidence, mobilize your resources, and help you get more of what you want...
Strengths such as...
- skillful listening
- a non-judgmental attitude
- respect for your right of self-determination
- wholistic assessment
- an understanding of psychodynamics and psychotropics
- the ability to help you discover your strengths and goals, think of possibilities and seek solutions
- a talent of incorporating into coaching conversations a wide variety of perspectives and helping traditions that increase awareness, provide fresh insights, inspire action and accountability and much more.
The above experience and education, along with my specialized relationship coach training with the Relationship Coaching Institute has prepared me well for helping you with your singles, dating and relationship concerns. I guarantee you - you will find what I can offer you is very rare in the coaching and relationship coaching marketplaces!
What is the Difference Between Relationship Coaching, Relationship Information and Education and Relationship Advice?
Relationship Coaching starts when you register for one or more of our coaching programs. Relationship Coaching is a professional service (see definitions above). Relationship Information and Education could include events such as our tele-samplers, articles, posts on our blog, information given during our podcasts, etc. Relationship Advice is not usually something a relationship coach offers.
Coach Sappho remains neutral about relationship advice. Sometimes relationship advice, particularly as dispensed by unlicensed individuals that is informative and/or entertaining, is helpful, but you are the consumer and you need to decide what is best for you. We do suggest you proceed with caution or 'take with a grain of salt' relationship advice in general, particularly if the source is not specifically trained and/or licensed.
The internet is full of so-called advice, information and entertainment on the subject of love and romance. Relationship advice is often too general or 'out of context' for much of your use. Relationship Coaching however, is specific to you and your situation.
The bottom line for you to remember is this...Relationship Coaching will help you more clearly and purposely think, feel and act for yourself rather than provide you with simplistic 'answers'. Yes, this may take more effort on your part, but it's worth it in the long run.
Would you trust your relationship or dating life to internet articles or ebooks? Would you entrust your love life to a non-dating and/or relationship-trained life coach or therapist? Would you entrust your sore throat to a google search or allow a primary care doc to operate on your brain??? ;-)
Why Would You Consider Relationship Coaching?
Simply put: relationship coaching is a priceless investment that will positively change the course of your life and your relationships from this day forward! Relationship coaching is an opportunity to become more aware of your 'blind spots' - those invisible obstacles that get between you and what you desire - and render them truly invisible!
Imagine what it would feel like to be living a more satisfying life; whether you are single or with a significant other. If you are currently single, envision celebrating your 10th wedding anniversary with the woman of your dreams. If you are already in a relationship that's 'flatlined', imagine recapturing the feelings you had for your partner at a better time. Or, imagine deepening the great feelings you already have for your partner or avoiding some potentially difficult times because you made sure your relationship stayed healthy.
Conversely, imagine your life in 10 years if you hadn't changed course or met Coach Sappho. Will you have known what it takes to decide WHICH woman to commit your life to? How many relationships will you have 'burned through'? Will you know how to handle being single should that happen to you? Will your 10th anniversary be grand or ho-hum? You get to decide…
Ready to learn how singles, dating and relationship coaching works at Coach Sappho?
For more information our coaching programs, please click on the box below...
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