How to Figure Out Whether You Need a Coach Or a Therapist
Posted on October 19, 2021
by Pianpian Xu Guthrie, founder and CEO of Amotions, Inc.
A therapist usually focuses on mental health.
They usually need to have a master's degree in the field. Some of them start to practice before they get their licenses, some of them have already got their licenses. They often talk about healing from past trauma. If someone is feeling depressed for a prolonged period of time, for example, 3 weeks, seeing a mental health professional might be a good option. A lot of therapists don't have experience working in corporate environments, but some have. Some therapists take insurance, some don't.
A coach focuses on what's important for a client and helps them take actions to achieve their goals, and reach peak performance.
Mental wellness is part of the foundation, but a coach does not have the training to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Some coaches focus on career, some focus on all aspects of life and career, and the key is to work with you to create an action plan. Some coaches have experience working in corporate environments, some don't. A good coach usually has received some training from reputable coaching programs.
Some people see both a therapist and a coach.
The key is to find the right ones that meet your needs, sometimes you have to try a session or two to know whether it's a good fit. Based on my own experience and observing others, therapists can tell you some stress management techniques, but if the stressor is workplace relationships and personal goals, you still need to work on solving the root cause. If you are feeling stressed, try getting physical exercises, good sleep, and some relaxation methods such as deep breathing. You can potentially work with a coach, and see if you can achieve some of your professional and personal goals first. It's also important to allocate some space for you to do self-reflection. You can also check out other resources on Amotions regarding emotion management and interpersonal relationship management, and join community practices and workshops. However, if you feel depressed, then please seek professional mental health providers like a therapist.
Amotions AI is a Silicon Valley based startup building an emotionally intelligent teammate embedded in sales calls. We provide live coaching in-call and post-call, and tailored AI role play, while answering technical questions. We boost win rates and cut ramp time, starting with sales and expanding to other use cases. https://www.amotions.ai
Related resources: pricing, FAQ, and AI sales coaching solutions.
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