You break your arm. Two people offer help. One is a pharmaceutical salesperson with first aid training, and the other is an orthopedist. Which one would you choose?
That’s a no-brainer, right?
Let’s say you want to snag a promotion, strengthen your social circle, organize your life, or find a mate. You’re not suffering from a mental illness, but you could use a little guidance. Two people offer to help. One is a life coach and one is a therapist. Which one do you choose?
This decision might not be so easy. This might make it easier:
If I had to use one word to describe the greatest difference is between a life coach and a therapist, it would be this: Grit.
How does one become a therapist? A therapist earns a bachelor’s degree, then a master’s degree, and some go on to get a doctorate. But it’s more than the ivory tower perspective they’re obtaining. During their educational pursuit, they gain hundreds of hours of experience working with real clients. Then, after graduating, they pass a state (and most likely a national) licensing exam. And that’s not the end of it. They must go on to complete thousands of hours of direct counseling experience before they can be fully licensed. Once they gain that license, they answer to a state board of ethics, and they must adhere to strict boundaries and obtain continuing education credits year after year. This journey requires an extraordinary amount of grit.
To be successful, therapists also need to be good at what they do, too. In our area, and in many others, there’s an abundance of therapists. Competition is brutal, so a mediocre therapist won’t likely make it.
What does a life coach have to do? Hang a sign on her door that reads “Life Coach.” Set up a website and a FB page. Send inspirational tweets into the world. Post a few memes.
At least that’s how it is in Texas and many other states.
Although I enjoy ironic comedy, I don’t want an angry mob of life coaches on my doorstep. Therefore, I acknowledge that some life coaches do have counseling degrees or similar educational backgrounds. Some indeed are licensed mental health professionals. More, however, are not. Too often, a life coach is someone who genuinely wants to help others but doesn’t want to put in the emotional or financial investment to legitimize his practice. As of now, many, if not most, states do not require life coaches to hold a 30-day “certification,” much less an advanced degree or license. It’s encouraged but not required.
A therapist runs the entire marathon and continues her training beyond the finish line. She doesn’t cut corners. To call herself a therapist, she must have more than charisma and a good story. (She might have an amazing story, but she’s not going to share it because your sessions are about YOU, not her.) A therapist can challenge you and be your accountability partner. Most importantly, she also can assist you professionally and ethically if you need more help than you originally thought.
This is crucial.
For example, if you want to de-clutter, a therapist can help. A life coach might be able to help you, too. However, if there’s an underlying issue related to your clutter (and there likely is), a therapist can work with you, whereas a life coach can get over her head. And if your battle with clutter is really a struggle with anxiety, grief, OCD, a therapist can definitely help. A life coach, on the other hand, can get herself into serious trouble and do you a reckless, even negligent, disservice. Her well-intended self might do you more harm than good if she lacks the education, training and credentials.
A therapist knows how to swim, so if you fall into the deep end of the pool, she can handle it.
This is your life we’re talking about. If you want help with your life, I recommend you get it from someone who is truly qualified.
D.W. Dobbs 