Life Coach Vs. Therapy
The older we get, the more life experience we have under our belts. Many women say that 40 is the new 20 and are truly embracing their midlife years. They spent their 20’s and 30’s building careers, in addition to raising families and caring for their homes and marriages, and they now have time to focus on their own interests.
This change can be a beautiful thing, but for many people, this transition period can be quite challenging. From kids leaving the nest to caring for aging parents, and maybe even dealing with losses, it is common for a woman’s life path to change. Finding the right professional to help you through this difficult time can take some research, but the effort will be worth it when you’ve reclaimed your life and future.
Therapist or Life Coach?
The correct professional for you is going to heavily depend on what your needs are. Midlife comes with a host of new things, both positive and negative, but the right coach or therapist will be able to help navigate these changes.
Therapist
A therapist will focus on emotional healing and mental health, as they are trained, mental health professionals. Psychotherapy is a long-term process where a client works with a therapist to focus on behaviors, relationship issues, self-destructive habits, and painful feelings, along with much more.
These professionals are able to diagnose mental health disorders, find solutions, and help you set goals. They have gone through schooling and have a master’s degree in counseling or psychology, at minimum, and have obtained a license to practice in the state or states they offer services in. One of the biggest benefits of using a therapist’s services to navigate through midlife is that they have to have a master’s degree, go through 3,000 hours of supervision, and have to adhere to the code of ethics for their field.
If you are hesitant to see a therapist, that is understandable. Sharing personal details from your life and trusting a stranger with your private thoughts can be intimidating, but patients and their information are protected. By law, therapists can not share your information with anyone, meaning your secrets are safe with them. If your therapist acts unprofessionally, you can file a complaint with your state’s licensing board, detailing the incident.
For those that are grieving the loss of a parent, dealing with depression after a divorce or losing a spouse, or just having a hard time coping with so many major changes in life, a therapist would be a great person to have in your corner.
Life Coach
If your focus is to set goals and stick to them or maximize your full potential, a life coach may be perfect for you. Although midlife can be full of changes, many people just need help figuring out what to do next rather than help with their mental health. If you generally cope with change pretty well, you might not need a therapist.
Transitioning into midlife is often met with an empty nest, and maybe even being single, for the first time in a long time, if not for the first time ever. For those unsure of the next steps or unsure of how to start taking them, a life coach would be a great help. They’re like a trusted friend that is paid to help you navigate through this transition period.
There are a few downsides to using a life coach instead of a therapist. The first is that life coaches don’t have educational requirements or regulations, so you are just going off of review and recommendations, hoping they’re qualified. Unlike therapists, life coaches are not able to accept health insurance, so the cost is completely out of pocket. There is also no regulatory division that deals with coaches that are unethical. Make sure to research and read reviews so you get the best coach you can find.
Which Professional is Right For You?
The right professional is going to vary from person to person. If you need to focus on your mental health, a therapist would be a great way to go. If you are more looking for guidance on meeting your goals, a life coach would be a good idea. Ultimately, which professional is right for you is something that only you can answer.
Whether you choose to meet with a therapist or life coach, getting help when you need it is never a bad plan and can only help you out.
This article was originally posted at Midlife Coacher.
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