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 life coaching has recently become more popular as a career choice, the practice has actually been active at Oxford University since the early 1830s. In the early days, the word was often used as slang for tutor which is an individual who coached students during exams. Now, the terms coach and tutor are used in a variety of different ways, though both still carry the same or similar meaning.

Throughout history, coaches have been a part of a number of different activities. These activities include psychology, personal development, leadership studies, movements such as "est, " workshops, the Human Potential Movement, Positive Thinking and adult education. Coaching in this area includes a number of different communication skills to assist clients in shifting perspectives from the impossible to possible. Thus, allowing individuals to learn different methods of achieving various goals in life.

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.

When it comes to marriage and relationships, coaches can often be beneficial in assuring the individuals have considered a number of factors before tying the knot. For example, questions regarding retirement, children and career can often be overlooked in the throws of a new and exciting relationship. Whereas, coaches can also assist in determining the type, and locating different types of housing and other needs.

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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