With the recent introduction of coaching as a service option at Brighter Hope Wellness Center, many may be wondering about the practical implications and specific methods of this new approach when weighing it against traditional therapy or other forms of mental health care. Which service is right for you and your personal needs?
What is Coaching?
“Coaching” is used as an umbrella term that can include consulting, life-coaching, mentoring, and many other related services offered by private therapy practices and individual providers. Coaching is a relatively new field, combining aspects of personal development and leadership skills training into an integrative approach grounded in psychology. Many coaches draw from their own success in specific areas, often specializing in health and wellness, career, finances, relationships, or recovery while some offer more general guidance. Coaching can provide personalized support, counselling, clarity, and encouragement to clients navigating life transitions, looking to change aspects of their life, or troubleshoot a specific problem.
How is Coaching Different from Therapy?
While coaching and therapy both prioritize client wellbeing, maintain confidentiality, and promote realistic goal setting, coaching focuses on working towards actionable and tangible solutions that can be achieved within the present moment or near future. On the other hand, psychotherapy is a more standardized process provided only by licensed mental health professionals and revolves around the process of diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Therapy provides a deeper exploration of the patient’s psyche, aiming to foster emotional and physical healing through addressing unresolved trauma, changing harmful core beliefs, and uncovering the root causes of psychological conditions using evidence-based cognitive and behavioral interventions.
Benefits of Coaching
Coaching can be an effective and practical tool in achieving personal fulfillment and positive growth in a particular niche without committing to the long-term and pathology-driven journey of therapy. For those who are not experiencing underlying mental health disorders but are still seeking external support and motivation in setting and achieving goals, overcoming barriers to progress, or simply looking for a new and informed perspective, coaching may be a transformative next step. Furthermore, coaching can act as a less-intimidating stepping-stone to therapy, allowing patients to become comfortable with practicing vulnerability and introspection. Both therapy and coaching have the capacity to produce life-changing results, but it’s up to you to determine which service is best suited for you and your goals and mental health needs through further research.
Written By: Charlotte Smith
Interested in Coaching Services?
Reach out and send a message to the contact@brighterhopewellness.com email address.