You know you want some help but you’re not sure if you want a life and business coach or a counsellor.
This post shares the differences between the two and gives you the key question to ask yourself so you can decide which one will be best for you.
Past or Future
Put simply, the main difference between a coach and a counsellor is this:
- A counsellor focuses on the past
- A coach focuses on the future
Let’s take that deeper.
A counsellor supports a client to resolve past issues so that they can change how they show up in the present.
A coach supports a client to work toward their future wants and desires: those goals that you want to see happen.
Or said another way:
A counsellor focuses on analyzing past behaviour.
A coach focuses on actions to move you forward.
The key question to ask yourself
Knowing the difference between the two professions, now you can ask yourself this question to help you decide whether to seek coaching or counselling.
Am I focused on Why? Or am I focused on How?
People ask both of these questions throughout the course of a day. I invite you to pay attention to which question you tend to spend more time and energy focusing on.
If you notice you primarily focus on why:
- Why does it bother me so much when someone does something?
- Why do I get so triggered by this?
- Why do I keep doing this thing that I don’t want to do?
- Why can’t I get my stuff together?
Then counselling is probably the best fit for you.
If you notice you primarily focus on how:
- How can I stop procrastinating?
- How can I use my time better?
- How can I feel better at the end of the day?
- How can I stop this feeling of overwhelm in its tracks so I can just get stuff done?
- How can I make my dreams happen?
- How can I be the person I want to be so I can do the things I want for the world?
Then a life coach or a business coach is probably the best fit for you.
