Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Difference Between Coaching and Counseling/Therapy? 

While therapy or psychological counseling generally focuses on emotional healing or relief from psychological pain, coaching aims to set and achieve goals.

A coach is also different from a psychotherapist, mental health care professional with training in medicine, psychology, nursing, or social work. If you think that depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems may be getting in the way of realizing your goals, you may want to talk with a licensed mental health professional before hiring a coach.

What Does a Life Coach Do?  

A coach provides strategies, insight, and guidance to help unlock the person’s most valuable potential. Coaches do not give answers to problems directly. Instead, they allow the client to explore the issue and arrive at a viable solution.

They also help the client to identify the root cause of the issue, factors that affect their success, and possible actions that could be taken to gain a healthier perspective of the situation. Then, together, the coach and the client design a plan that will effectively lead to success.

What Does a Wellness Coach Do?

A wellness coach covers all personal elements that contribute to healthy living. The main objective of a wellness coach is to encourage the client as they effectively come up with strategies that will improve all aspects of their life. They focus their attention on four distinct areas: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Unlike in sports, wellness coaches don't focus on changing certain behaviors, like correcting a bad golf swing. Instead, they develop their clients' overall strengths and abilities so that they find success and satisfaction in their job or lifestyle. 

What Issues Do Wellness Coaches and Health Coaches Address Differently?

Given the precise scope and objectives of health vs. wellness coaches, it is natural that they tend to focus on some similar areas of life. Some issues, however, may appear to be comparable only because the wellness coach encompasses physical problems that relate to general wellbeing.  

For example, a wellness coach assists clients in resolving issues such as: •  

• Stress management  
• Lifestyle changes for better wellbeing  
• Exercise and weight management  
• Time management  
• Personal organization  
• Emotional and mental health  

Meanwhile, health coaches help clients fix concerns such as the following:  

• Lifestyle health habits 
• Weight loss or gain 
• Stress management 
• Healthy dietary choices 
• Managing a specific health condition 
• Quitting unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive drinking   

Why Would I Need Help? 

There are many reasons. For instance, you might consider looking for one if you:

• Need some guidance on moving forward in your career 
• Want to learn how to take advantage of your strengths and talents 
• Don't know what to do about a major life decision, such as a move or promotion 
• Don't have an acceptable work-life balance 
• Have a lot of stress 
• Aren't as healthy as you'd like to be 

How Do I Work with a Coach? 

1. First, you'll sit down with your coach over the phone for a complimentary 15-minute Discovery Call - During that time, you'll talk about what you want to accomplish.
2. Through the questions your coach asks, you'll define your goals and the challenges that could stand in your way. Then you'll outline the steps you'll need to take to achieve those goals.
3. You'll have homework assignments -- things to think about or do between coaching sessions to work toward your goals. For example, you might decide to journal or create "action plans" of items you want to accomplish.
4. Your coach will offer support and guidance along the way. And your coach will hold you accountable for achieving your goals.
5. You'll work with your coach for a few weeks, months, or longer. The time frame depends on how often you meet and what you're hoping to accomplish.