The Difference Between Life Transitions Coaching And Counseling

By Sarah Wallace


Counseling often involves a minister, priest or professional psychologist who works with clients to assist in overcoming a number of issues related to mental health or spiritual concerns. Whereas, Life Transitions Coaching can refer to assistance in many different areas of daily life. As such, coaches working in this area are much different than counselors in that these individuals often work to help people meet a specific goal or goals.

Coaches often refer to clients as coachees, though this is usually specific to life coaching. In most cases, coaching refers to a situation in which one individual has expertise in an area in which another individual needs assistance. Whether in relation to education, sports, on the job training or a specific task or tasks, those with experience and expertise can often coach others during the learning the process.

While to some, life coaching may appear to be a new career choice, different styles of coaching have actually been in existence since the 1830s at Oxford University and when it comes to sports, even longer. The earliest use of the word coach was originally used as slang for tutor, an individual whom coached students through the exam process. Since that time, the word has become associated with helping individuals achieve success in a number of different activities.

Whether assisting individuals with personal development, leading workshops, participating in movements such as est, the laws of attraction, the Human Potential Movement, adult education and positive thinking. In most cases, these individuals assist people in achieving a specific goal or goals and completing projects.

Life coaches are often considered to have a meta profession extending to clients in the areas of political affiliation, spiritual, direction, networking and social scenes, careers and professions, health concerns and personal issues. Whether or not there is an overlap in different areas often depends on the reasons for coaching as well as cultural and ethnicity.

One area in which a coach is beneficial is in regard to marriage and relationships. For, there are questions which each and every couple need answer before deciding to tie the knot. For example, questions related to career, children, retirement, travel and others can often save a marriage before it begins.

Other issues which can often require coaching include separation due to job or career, military spouses, divorce, especially those in which children or property are involved and personal items. In all cases, coaches need to work with clients to determine the best path forward which is beneficial to all parties. In the case of divorce, it is also important that the couple play an active role in making these decisions be there a coach involved or otherwise.

Generally, work in this area includes spiritual matters, relationships, marriage, family, career and business concerns. While this is the case, most often coaches prefer to focus on one issue at a time though most all have the ability to help in each area. Whereas, while coaches provide a great deal of insight, information and recommendations to clients, counselors often play the role of listener.




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