You’d be surprised how many of my potential clients don’t know what a spiritual life coach does, let alone what a life coach is. Or, how a coach differs from a therapist, mentor, or counselor. I’m not surprised. After all, there’s considerable overlap in the services offered, both across and within these practitioner categories.
If you have questions too, I can give you answers here, at least, from my perspective as a holistic integrated coach and energy healer, or what I call a spiritual life coach (but also check out my detailed blog post discussing the difference between coaching, therapy, and counseling.)
What Does a Life Coach Do
First, I’ll briefly explain what a life coach is and make a few comments about the differences between a coach, mentor, and counselor. Second, I’ll clarify what “life” and “spiritual” typically mean in a coaching context. In both of these instances, I’ll talk about just the typical types of client issues they deal with and their general approach. But, remember, there’s great variation across and within types of practitioners.
Still, in the end, if I’ve done my job, you’ll know what spiritual life coaches do and how their services typically differ from those of these other types of practitioners. Thus, you’ll be able to better decide if a spiritual life coach is the best choice for you.
Life Coach Definition
A general definition of a life coach is someone who supports your reflection and decision-making process about issues you deem important. The focus of the sessions might be on gaining or deepening your perspective or on arriving at a decision point and setting out action steps. In general, coaching does not dwell on the past. Instead, it deals with your present and future.
The issues life coaches support are wide-ranging. However, some coaches work within a particular niche, e.g., career transitions, marriage, divorce, empowerment, and confidence. And some use a specific tool or process.
Generally, a good life coach won’t lead you or prescribe actions. Instead, you’re in the driver’s seat. The coach simply facilitates your inquiry, reflection, and personal resolutions.
How Does Life Coaching Differ From Therapy, Mentoring, and Counseling
Even just a few notes on a few primary differences between coaching, therapy, mentoring, and counseling will help clarify what’s the right kind of assistance for you.
In contrast to coaches, therapists (or psychotherapists) maintain more formal and/or hierarchical relationships with you. Here, your past is relevant as the therapist digs into root causes. Therapists with appropriate training and licensing can diagnose diseases and conditions and prescribe medications.
Counselors tend to deal with limited objectives (both in terms of time and depth). They tend to be highly specialized, and because many are problem solvers, they’re more proactive with advice and suggestions.
Finally, mentors are experienced in a specific area or field. Their primary role is to orient and support your development in a specific area. They provide you with guidance, advice, feedback, and specific suggestions and action steps.
Spirituality and Coaching
Essentially, there are two perspectives on what a spiritual life coach is just as there are two perspectives on spirituality. The latter pretty much defines the former.
Spirituality Defined With a Particular Doctrine
Some people associate spirituality with organized religion. Generally speaking, in this sense of the word, one’s spiritual perspective is defined by a specific doctrine and guided by ordained or lay representatives of that religion (e.g. Christianity and priests).
Here the lines of coaching vs guiding, mentoring, or consulting tend to blur. Plus, it’s difficult to ignore the formal and hierarchical relationship between coach and client defined by doctrine.
Spirituality Aligned With Direct Experiencing
The second perspective views spirituality as your direct experience. In other words, you develop your own perspective and relationship with the universe or the divine. This includes your connection to your higher self and exploration of the self as a part of this greater oneness.
What Does Spiritual A Life Coach Do
Typically, this type of coaching is non-denominational in nature, and accepting of various alternative, metaphysical, holistic, animistic, vibrational, and/or nondual spiritual orientations. Consequently, this type of coach will likely employ different tools and practices – energy and plant healing, divination, conventional powerful questions, and inner relating to mention just a few.
Issues addressed through spiritual life coaching can and often do relate to your vision, mission, life purpose, sense of self, position within the broader humanity, etc. But, they’re not limited to these big questions.
Instead, you could work on whether to change jobs, careers, residences, etc. Or, maybe you’re wrestling with difficult or jumbled emotions and/or thinking. Here, it’s more about the process than the particular issue.
Like a growing number of spiritual life coaches, my approach is holistic, that is, I deal with the whole integrated person. This means that everything and every issue has physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic dimensions. Focusing solely on one aspect (e..g, beliefs) will not necessarily resolve the whole issue. For example, thoughts and emotions are often commingled, and as a consequence, can be difficult to distinguish and create confusion. Furthermore, other relevant factors may be embodied within your physical or other energy bodies. In other words, you may be holding an issue within tense muscles such as your shoulders or lower back.
In sum, there’s a wide range of possible services and approaches you could explore to help you address the fullness of whatever issues you’re facing. Selecting the means or practices that mirror your intention and the preferred process is critical to your comfort, success, and well-being. (See also my post on when you need a spiritual life coach.)
Make sure to look more deeply into what a practitioner has to offer and don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions. It’s your journey.
