So you have come to the decision to work with an Online Counselor or Life Coach – but how do you know which one to choose? To make that decision, you must first understand the difference between Coaching and Counseling.
Coaching vs Counseling – what’s the difference?
While most of us have heard of Life Coaching, we still often wonder, what does a Life Coach actually do? A Life Coach’s main objective is to help clients improve their lives by motivating and guiding them to reach their goals. They want to help you build confidence and improve the skills you already have to create a new life path.
In short, they are more focused on the future and how to prepare you for success. Life Coaches are trained to listen and often have certifications through programs such as the International Coaching Federation. However, there are no specific degree or state licensing requirements.
On the other hand, Counseling is a more regulated profession that requires a degree and state licensure. Counselors tend to focus more on working through past events and experiences in order to move forward. They want to analyze deeper emotional and mental health issues and have a more traditional doctor-patient relationship with their clients.