It’s not uncommon for misconceptions to arise when discussing coaching, mentoring, consulting, and therapy. Let’s clear things up.

A frequent question I get when starting with a new coaching client is, “Will you tell me what to do with my life?” The short answer is no—that’s not what coaching is about. If you’re looking for someone to analyze a situation and give you a step-by-step plan, that’s consulting. Consultants diagnose issues and provide actionable strategies to achieve specific goals.

Coaching, on the other hand, is more about empowering clients to find their own solutions. While coaches offer guidance and suggest tools for improvement, the focus remains on helping clients unlock their potential and chart their own path forward.

Mentoring is slightly different. It involves a long-term relationship where the mentor offers wisdom, support, and insights based on their own experiences, acting as a role model to help the mentee grow.

Another common misconception is the confusion between therapy and coaching. When people hear words like “clarity,” “potential,” and “mindset,” they often assume I’ll be digging into their past or exploring deep-seated issues. This, however, falls under the realm of therapy. Therapists, including psychotherapists and psychoanalysts, are trained to address mental health issues such as depression, trauma, and PTSD. They often explore past experiences and family dynamics to help clients heal and move forward.

Coaching and therapy serve very different purposes. Coaching is future-focused, aimed at personal or professional growth, while therapy tends to deal with resolving past emotional or psychological wounds. Both are valuable, but understanding the distinction is key to finding the right support.

So, whether you’re seeking guidance, advice, healing, or growth, it’s important to choose the right approach for your needs.

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