You may be in a place where you know you need help, but you aren't sure of the best place to start. Many of our clients are struggling with life altering circumstances. They are making major decisions, reprioritizing their lives and finding a healthier path forward. This kind of change work takes a team of support and it can be tough to know what professionals can best serve you in the midst of those major shifts. Here's a quick breakdown of the unique things that coaching and counseling offer and when you need to enlist the help of one, the other, or both.
Therapist
A therapist is trained to guide you through healing and to help with mental health concerns like anxiety, depression or trauma. If your feelings are overwhelming, a therapist is the place to turn. They will help you untangle those emotions and dig down into relationship issues or past hurts that may be causing the pain. A good therapist also acts as an educator to help you reframe your experiences and thoughts and put them in a healthy light. They gently guide you into new insights and discoveries so that you can become empowered and free.
Coach
A coach focuses on the practicalities of change work. If you know what needs to happen to live your best life, but can't seem to make it happen on your own, a coach will design a step by step program for you. They help you identify what needs to change in your life and then hold you accountable as you commit to small steps toward those goals. Maybe you are learning about making yourself a priority but you need practical steps to begin to implement those practices into your life. Or maybe you want your life to have more meaning but you can't put your finger on what that might look like. A coach can be that person for you.
Both Counseling and Coaching
Many times, the best solution is a blend of both. If you are in recovery from betrayal or abuse, you are putting your life back together in a very real sense. You are reeling from the discovery of your partner's behavior and beginning the process of reclaiming of your mental health. You will work alongside a therapist to set new boundaries, make major decisions and find healing from the trauma. At the same, a coach will comes alongside of you to begin reclaiming your sense of self. Are there things you stopped doing because your focus was on keeping your partner happy? Have you lost weight? Gained it? Started listening to the critical voice in your head? A coach will guide you as you take back your life and become more like the person you were created to be.
No matter the path you take, know you are worthy of the care and attention of professionals that will walk you through the recovery process. You have to feel comfortable with whoever you enlist to support you. Use your intake appointments as interviews to ensure that you are getting care from someone who understands and has the expertise to guide you through this time. Your voice matters in this process!
May you always be known and loved,
Kate
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