Life coaching and therapy are very different in their approach to helping a child. The easiest way to understand is to imagine a child falling. A therapist will sit next to the child as they are lying down. After several sessions, they hope to get the child to stand. A life coach will help the child up and dust them off. Then over several sessions, help the child not only sprint but also teach them how to avoid tripping and falling in the future.
There are many advantages of life coaching over therapy:
- Goal-Oriented Focus: Life coaching strongly emphasizes setting and achieving goals. It helps adolescents identify their aspirations, develop action plans, and work towards them. This goal-oriented focus can be particularly empowering for adolescents seeking guidance on specific areas, such as academics, career choices, relationships, or personal development.
- Strengths-Based Approach: Life coaching often emphasizes identifying and leveraging an individual’s strengths and talents. It encourages adolescents to focus on positive qualities, build self-confidence, and harness their unique abilities to overcome challenges. This strengths-based approach can foster resilience, self-esteem, and a sense of personal agency.
- Forward-Thinking Perspective: Life coaching concentrates on the present and future rather than delving deeply into past experiences or trauma. While therapy often explores unresolved issues from the past, life coaching primarily focuses on the present circumstances and future possibilities.
- Skill Development: Life coaching teaches practical skills for all areas of life. This can include time management, organization, communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and stress management. By equipping adolescents with these essential life skills, life coaching can enhance their ability to navigate challenges and succeed in different domains.
- Mentoring Relationship: Life coaching often involves a mentor-like relationship, where the coach is a supportive and motivating guide. Coaches provide accountability, encouragement, and constructive feedback to help adolescents stay on track toward their goals. This mentoring aspect of life coaching can be particularly beneficial for adolescents who seek guidance, inspiration, and a trusted role model.
- Proactive Approach: Life coaching promotes a proactive mindset, encouraging adolescents to take responsibility for their choices, actions, and outcomes. It empowers them to shape their lives and make intentional decisions actively. This proactive approach can foster a sense of personal ownership and instill a mindset that focuses on creating positive change and achieving desired results.
It’s worth noting that therapy and life coaching are not mutually exclusive. For some issues, such as severe depression, adolescents may benefit from combining both approaches.