Coaching vs Psychotherapy
Personal Growth Counseling Services
Coaching is essentially a conversation between the coach and his or her client. Starting with the aim to help the client to achieve certain mutually agreed upon goals and a plan to execute said goals. NOTE: In the field of coaching, State Licensing is not required and there is no Centralized State Authority.
A coach can provide help during the coaching process, such as:
(A) Clarity around what the client actually wants.
(B) Support in making important decisions.
(C) Direction in time of confusion, opinion and advice.
(D) Brainstorming and fleshing out ideas together.
(E) If necessary, help the client to realize he or she may need additional professional help.
(F) Acknowledge and support the clients abilities and work on his or her shortcomings.
One of the most distinguishing factors between coaching and psychotherapy is that psychotherapists are trained to help people who consciously or subconsciously struggle with unresolved issues of the past resulting in life long dysfunctional beliefs and/or behaviors. Psychotherapists require State Licensure and Certification.
IN SUMMERY: The focus in psychotherapy is more about healing from the past, while the focus in coaching is more in getting you to where you want to go. HOWEVER, IT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU CAME FROM IN ORDER TO GET TO WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.
To discuss these matters in more detail, please call my office (Personal Growth Counseling Services) at 314 567—3040.
Oliver (Mike) Siems, MSW, LCSW.