Although there are a lot of similarities between counseling
and coaching, there are also some distinctions that are important to understand
as you seek a counselor or coach.
- Counseling helps you move through the pain, struggles, or challenges of the past.
- Coaching is about results – moving forward with growth – realizing your dreams.
Sometimes we are needing both – it requires healing the past
to be able to move forward with our goals. Pastor and author Peter Scazerro in
his book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
says that it is impossible to become spiritually mature while remaining
emotionally immature. His advice is that we must go backwards and deal with our
past before we can effectively move forward with maturity. For some that might
be a priority.
But for others who have already taken an introspective
journey, strategizing for the future might be their greatest need. In this case,
some different tools are required to achieve goals. What’s desired may be
defining a clear direction, breaking it down into manageable action steps, and
having accountability to follow through with the steps. This is the realm of coaching.
Just like there are general counselors and specialty
counselors, there are a diversity of coaches. Do you need a life coach, a
business coach, a spiritual coach, a parent coach or some other more specific
help? Most coaches can help in a variety of ways without having detailed
specifics of a particular field. They can ask great questions and get you thinking
on a particular track. But sometimes the assistance you need is very specific.
In those cases finding just the right person is invaluable. Have they walked
the road you want to walk? Have they been successful?
Coach or Counselor?
Can a counselor also be a coach and a coach be a counselor?
Well, yes and no. A counselor can certainly function as a coach, especially if
they know that is your primary goal. But a coach is generally restricted to
dealing with the present and future. It would not be helpful to assume that
they are interchangeable roles. The training for each is different and
counselors are often licensed whereas coaches may have various levels of
preparation and certification – or not.
Whereas most counseling takes place in person or by video, coaching
may not require that kind of connection. Much of some kinds of coaching can be
done over the telephone or email. That’s because reading body language and
making emotional connections is usually less critical. Coaching requires doing
assigned homework and reporting back results. Sessions may not to be as long,
but perhaps more frequent.
What may be the most important factor in choosing someone is
the person themselves. Do you trust their character as well as their knowledge?
Can you be honest with them? Whether being coached or counseled, can you walk
with them confidently for a season?
