I see many clients who feel stuck in their professional life. But very often they don't just feel stuck professionally, but also in their personal life. To make things worse, these two often go hand in hand. There is a strong connection between job satisfaction and personal life - both will affect each other.
When you feel stuck and unhappy, you know it's time to change things. The question is where to begin. Is this a matter for a life coach or for a psychotherapist?
Why Should I Seek Help?
We all have ups and downs in life, but sometimes those downs can feel overwhelming and we don't know how to move forward. We might feel unhappy or stuck, or we might be struggling with mental health issues. It can be a big step to seek help, but it's so important to do so. Working with a coach can help you become happier and more effective in your life.
It's common to have misconceptions about what coaching is and how it can help you. You might think that coaching is only for professional goals, or that it's only for people who have their lives together. But coaching is for anyone who wants to make changes in their personal or professional life. A life coach can help you identify patterns of behavior that are holding you back, brainstorm solutions to problems, and create an action plan to move forward.
For example, let's say you're feeling really unhappy at your job. You don't know what you want to do next, and you're feeling stuck. You might be considering therapy, but you don't think your mental health issues are severe enough to warrant it. That's where coaching comes in. A life coach can help you explore what you want out of your career and your life, and create a plan to get there. They can help you build confidence and motivation to take the next step. By working with a coach, you can start to feel happier and more fulfilled in all areas of your life.
coaching or therapy: the key differences
So what are exactly the differences between psychotherapy and life coaching? With so many options available, it can be challenging to know which approach is suitable for your specific needs.
It is important to note that there are many types of therapy and of coaching. But there are some key differences:
Coaching focusses on the present and the future. Psychotherapy on the other hand also takes into account what happened in the past, especially when there have been traumatic experiences.
Generally speaking coaches are more focussed on life goals.
Licensed therapists are mental health professionals trained in workin with mental health conditions or mental illness such as depression of psychosis. Coaches are not.
A Psychological Coach: the Best of Both Worlds
Many people tend to think they have to choose between a life coach or psychotherapist, but the reality is you don't always have to. A psychological coach combines the benefits of both approaches. A psychological coach can help you reach your personal and professional goals, while also addressing the psychological side of any challenges you may be facing.
A psychological coach understands that every challenge has a psychological side that needs to be addressed in order to reach a solution. For example, if you're struggling to progress professionally, it's not enough to only focus on the objective skills you might be lacking. Instead, you might also need to address your anxiety or self-doubt that may be holding you back. A psychological coach can help you recognize and work with these underlying issues to achieve personal growth and lasting success.
Overall, working with a psychological coach can help you become more self-aware, create new habits, and and feel more fulfilled overall.
Psychological Coaching for Work and Career Issues
Also when it comes to work and career issues, it's important to address not only the objective skills and requirements of the job, but also the psychological challenges that come with it. A career coach with a training in psychology is especially valuable in these situations because they specialize in helping clients work through the psychological barriers that are often at the root of work-related challenges. For example, if you're struggling to meet deadlines or achieve your professional goals, it may be because you're dealing with a lack of motivation, self-doubt, or anxiety. These are psychological challenges that a psychological coach can help you address and overcome.
One of the benefits of working with a psychological coach for work and career issues is that they can help you identify the real source of your challenges. By working with a psychological coach, you'll be able to tap into the psychological resources you need to succeed and be happy in your career.
Is Psychological Coaching for you?
If you are looking for a way to move forward and make positive changes in your professional life, then working with a career coach with psychological training might be for you.
As a certified psychologist, I work with you on three levels: the existential, the psychological, and the practical. The existential level focuses on the big picture of your life. It addresses questions such as: what's your purpose in life, what values do you stand for, and what gives you joy and fulfillment? The psychological level explores your emotions, thoughts, fears, and assumptions. It allows you to better understand how you think, feel, and behave and identify any negative belief patterns that may be holding you back. The practical level involves developing an action plan, setting goals, and finding solutions to the challenges you're facing.
If these three levels are aligned and help you move in the same direction, things in your life will move forward in ways you hadn't believed possible.
Don't let fear or uncertainty hold you back. Book a free coaching session with me today and let's explore how coaching can help you unlock your full potential!