Why Hiring a Life Coach Can Be a Good Idea

“We empower people to believe in themselves,” explains one certified coach.

Whether you’ve been in therapy for years or are just starting to consider seeking professional guidance, it never hurts to pause and think about where you are mentally, where you want to be, and how to get there. That’s why more and more people are choosing to hire a life coach.

Life coach vs. therapy

Having some mental support like therapy is becoming more accessible and less taboo. Therapy, of which there are several types, is generally understood as an approach to treatment that is based on a mental health diagnosis. Often this has to do with anxiety, stress, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. There is often a focus on identifying, understanding, and finding solutions to the issues the client is struggling with.

While life coaching can incorporate elements of these and there is often overlap, the general approach is often proactive, goal-oriented, and future-oriented. “Coaching is much more of a strengths-based approach,” explains Jamie Blume, a professional and certified coach from the United States on the Real Simple platform. “We’re still working through thoughts, beliefs, and emotions that come up, maybe from childhood or from past trauma. But we’re really focusing on what’s working, where we want to go, and how we’re going to move forward.”

Setting and Achieving Goals

This approach can provide guidance and support in a goal-oriented way. Life coaches often try to provide tools to move forward in a desired direction. Clients push themselves into the next phase of their lives by thinking critically and asking curious questions. Often, this comes with a specific need. For example, you have career coaches, relationship coaches, fitness coaches, and general life coaches for motivation, accountability, and support.