What is the difference between therapy and coaching?

What is therapy? Therapy is a long-term process in which a client works with a healthcare professional to diagnose and resolve problematic beliefs, behaviors, relationship issues, feelings and sometimes physical responses. The idea behind therapy is to focus on past traumas and issues to change self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships and work through painful feelings. In this sense, therapy focuses on the past and on introspection and analysis, with the hope of resolving past issues and creating a happier, more stable future.

What does a life coach do? In life coaching, a client works with a coach, who is not a healthcare professional, in order to clarify goals and identify obstacles and problematic behaviors in order to create action plans to achieve desired results. The process of life coaching takes the client’s current starting point as an acceptable neutral ground and is more action-based from that point onward. A life coach enables the person receiving coaching to take control of their life and take action to steer it toward their goals.

I have a busy life, what is the time commitment?

I actually love this question.  I have a full-time job, am growing a coaching business and am a mom to a 3 year old. I know about busy.  When thinking about this, I always ask my clients to think about what will change in their lives if they don’t put themselves first.  So often, we race around and don’t stop to think about what we REALLY want in life, so we are never able to get it.  That’s where life coaching comes in.  When you hire a coach, you are giving yourself the gift of one hour per week that is dedicated just to YOU.  I believe you are worth it, do you?

How will I know if you are the right coach for me?

That is a great question! It is important to find someone you connect with. That is what the initial 45 minute consultation call is for.  In order to work together, there must be some type of connection between the two of us.  During the consultation call, you will get to know me a little bit, understand why I am a life coach, learn my coaching style and get a little bit of free coaching.  It’s a win win. If at the end, you do not believe I am the right fit, you can take what you’ve learned about yourself and be on your way. No pressure.  I am confident you will take something away from the 45 minutes we spend together whether we work together or not.

Wait…why do I need a coach?

Here are some reasons to hire a coach. You are feeling lost, You doubt yourself. You find yourself procrastinating and not attaining the goals you set for yourself. You might have a vision for yourself, but you do not have a clear plan on how to get there. You want to change your job, your health or make more money. Your self-confidence could use a boost.

Umm…Laurie….I don’t know you, how can I trust you?

Trust is an interesting concept in that we must extend trust to receive it.  I understand what it takes to hire a coach. I have been in your shoes.  I remember reaching out to my first life coach, not really knowing what to expect.  However, I came to a point in my life where the alternative to stay stuck where I was, was no longer acceptable.  Life Coaching is not about divulging the innermost parts of your life.  Some people do, but much of it is internal work. I act as a guide, who asks a series of questions that helps you uncover what you already know.  I just help you bring it to the surface, so you are able to analyze your thoughts and assess if they are serving you.  If not, we are able to replace your old thought patterns with an updated version so you become more focused, more motivated and have a clearer path for the life that you envision.

FREE intro call!? What is the 45 minute consultation like?

The initial consultation is about getting to know each other so that you have a good understanding of the kind of coaching you would be signing up for.  We will uncover why you are really here. What is the thing you really want in your life, but have yet to attain or accomplish.  During the 45 minutes we spend together, we will draw out your desired outcome and set your vision.  We will begin to uncover what has been stopping you from attaining your goal. My goal is to give you enough information to decide if I am the right fit to be your guide through your transformational journey.