Posted on September 20, 2012 by Cynthia Gunsinger
Imagine: you are in your 50’s, seeing retirement looming without having set any work or economic goals, are feeling the urgency to get sorted out to acommodate a certain type retirement with your partner. The heat is on.
Your questions might be: “Is there something seriously wrong with me for not knowing what I want to do?” “What AM I doing?”
Although, you have noticed that you have problems following through and sustaining connections, but recently completed your EMBA on your own dime, while working full time.
Who Should You Work With: A Therapist or a Coach?
Like most things in life, that answer depends on a number of variables. If you are considering working with a coach or therapist, also consider this metaphor:
Drawing the line between therapy and coaching is like drawing a line in the sand. From a distance, it looks like a distinct separation, but the line itself a space of overlap, transition and melding. The same can be said about therapy and coaching.
Both coaches and therapists work to empower clients but the traditional therapist is set up as “an expert” – whereas the coaching clients are seen as capable of reaching the answers they need.
Many people go to therapy to learn how to be responsible for themselves, their feelings and actions. Therapy helps to integrate the past and present so that the past does not keep defining you –  moving into that space, you are a great candidate for coaching!
Our advice for clients who are on that fence is to interview coaches who also have a therapy background. There are a ton of therapist-coaches who can work with you: dipping into the problematic past just enough so that you can get moving in the present and on the future you want.
Ready to start the conversation? Connect now to get matched with the right professional for you!
Nice post!
When I’m talking to clients about therapy or coaching (and I do tend to work in a way that blends both, with clients’ permission), my short explanation goes like this:
Therapy is sort of like: “Where am I, and how did I get here?”
Coaching is more: “Where am I, and where am I going next?”
Thanks for the article!
thanks for the comment laura, and that is a great map metaphor. imagine yourself on a giant map: which way are you facing? backwards or forwards and are you looking at what’s around.