WHAT IS LIFE COACHING?

I am asked that question all the time, and often define it by stating what it is NOT.  So, I am going to provide here some brief explanation of what is coaching, counseling, psychotherapy, facilitating and mentoring.  I hope that it will help clarify what the differences are between those various disciplines.

LIFE COACHING

It is…

According to the International Coaching Federation
Life Coaching is the “partnering with clients in a thought provoking
and creative process that inspires them to maximize their
personal and professional potential.” In such a partnering
relationship, the coach asks the client a lot of deep and
reflective questions meant to challenge, enlighten and
inspire the client. The emphasis is largely on the present
and the future, with some consideration and recognition
of the importance of past events.

COUNSELING

Wikipedia defines counseling as a “provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social or psychological problems and difficulties by a trained person on a professional basis.” Here, the counselor is the advisor, the teacher and the leader in determining the direction that the client should follow. The past plays a much greater role in this process and is often the point of emphasis in determining current situations.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

This is a form of Personal Counseling that delves even deeper into the human psyche. According to the Medical Dictionary, psychotherapy is “ The treatment of a behavior disorder, mental illness, or any other condition by psychological means”. Psychotherapy may utilize insight, persuasion, suggestion, reassurance, and instruction so that patients may see themselves and their problems more realistically and have the desire to cope effectively with them. There are many possible definitions of psychotherapy, just as there are many different types of psychotherapy, including — just to mention a few — cognitive therapy, family therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Clearly, the past plays a major role in this process.

FACILITATING

This process is probably the closest to Life Coaching in its definition. According to the Free Dictionary, it makes things easier based on the Latin root “facil” (which means easy) and provides assistance in the progress of something. Often one who “facilitates” is mediating the circumstances between two opposing sides. Much of the work done in this realm has to do with the present with an outlook on future outcomes.

MENTORING

A “mentor” is considered the wise one, the sage, the teacher who shares his/her knowledge, skills, information and perspective with a “student”. Through instruction and training the mentoring process is developed, resulting in the emergence of a person with a new “learning”, such as a skill, a trade, an attitude or behavior. Here , the emphasis is more on the present and future direction of that person.I hope that this has been somewhat helpful! Now that you know a little more about the difference between Life Coaching (books about life coaching) and these other services, I hope that you will better understand what it is that I do…So, here are some “Life Coaching” questions for you:

Are you where you want to be in this stage of your life? If so, what is it that you like about it? If not, what would you like to see happen – in the next 6 months, 1 year, 5 years? Are you happy? What makes it so? Are you in pain? How can you change that?Let me know what you are thinking…