Some people are confused about the differences between a life coach and other support options.

Here are the top 3 questions about life coaching:

1.  How is a life coach different from having a good friend or family member listen to me?

Well-meaning friends and family members usually listen to you with their own filters of “what is best for you.” They may give advice based on a narrow perspective without seeing you as being creative, resourceful, and whole. During life coaching sessions, you choose the focus of conversation, while the coach actively listens, contributes observations and asks powerful questions. The coach partners with you while holding to your agenda at all times, which leads to clarity, choice and action based on your values and vision of your future. Each coaching session is focused totally on you.

2.  Isn’t listening to a life coach the same as listening to a consultant?

A consultant is hired as an expert and imparts knowledge and advice in a given area. When you hire a consultant, you may or may not be directly involved in taking action to create change. In life coaching, the coach sees you as being capable and having answers (or the resources to find them) within yourself. You also have the choice to implement change between sessions by taking your own actions and being accountable for them.

3.  How is life coaching different from therapy?

Coaching differs from therapy because coaching sessions are primarily focused on learning and achievement, rather than healing or resolution. Coaches help clients to make changes in their lives by observing present conditions, visualizing future goals and determining action steps. Analyzing past events, understanding emotional reactions, or determining the cause of a client’s behaviors is typically not addressed in coaching.

We all have life struggles in varying degrees.  If you’re ready to visualize and realize a better life, life coaching may be for you.  I invite you to get started with a confidential and free, no-obligation consultation.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Karen Proctor, Founder & Certified Life Coach of Greenleaf Life Coaching. I listen with an empathetic and trained ear to offer life coaching services for men and women in Westchester County, NY and beyond.  Whether you have deep life struggles, PTSD, work-life balance concerns or changes in your career, I can help.  Together, we’ll build strength by pinpointing what’s blocking you from the life you desire, allowing you to see what’s possible through a new angle, with manageable steps for genuine progress.