NIRVANA

Coaching

Coaching focuses on helping individuals clarify their goals. It identifies what they truly want and develops actionable steps to achieve them. Coaching is action-oriented and focused on the present and the future. In coaching, the client is the expert in their own life. They have the answers, and the coach is there to guide them towards those answers using their coaching skills. The coaching relationship is a collaborative partnership to empower change.

Coaches are not required to have specific educational or licensure requirements. However, institutions such as the International Coaching Institute ICI and the International Coaching Federation adopt a specific framework in coaching. An example of coaching would be a person who wants to start their own business and hires a coach to help them develop a clear plan and take the necessary steps to make it happen. The coach would help the person to identify their strengths and weaknesses, set specific and measurable goals, and create an action plan to achieve those goals. The coach would also provide support and accountability to help the person stay on track and make progress towards their desired outcome.

Life coaching can benefit a wide range of individuals, including those experiencing career transitions, relationship challenges, or a general feeling of being stuck and needing help setting goals or improving work-life balance. Coaching can also help people seeking personal growth, health and wellness, or financial management.

Psychology

Psychology, on the other hand, is the study of the mind and behaviour, according to the American Psychological Association APA. It is the study of the mind, how it works, and how it affects behaviour. The APA adds that it “embraces all aspects of the human experience, from the functions of the brain to the actions of the nations, from child development to care for the aged.” A psychologist is a mental health professional who studies and treats mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders.

They use a variety of techniques, including talk therapy and psychological assessments, to help individuals cope with life challenges and improve their mental well-being. Psychologists do not prescribe medication and are not medical doctors, unlike psychiatrists. Psychologists and psychiatrists work together to help people with mental health conditions. According to the American Psychological Association APA, a psychologist can become licensed to practice with a doctoral degree in the field of psychology from an accredited university.

The work of a psychologist can range from counselling individuals with anxiety to advising companies to build better teams. Psychological problems can include anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive compulsive behaviour or OCD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, mood disorders, and more.

Therapy

Therapy focuses on healing the past, addressing emotional challenges, and diagnosing and managing mental health concerns. In therapy, the therapist is the expert. The goal is to understand why specific behaviour patterns exist. Their goal is to work through traumas and make recommendations on how the client should proceed. The client-therapist relationship focuses on support and healing. The therapist is the expert in guiding healing and managing mental health. The outcome is improved emotional and mental health.

Therapy is provided by mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and counsellors. These professionals have a Master’s or Doctorate degree in a related field and are licensed to practice therapy. They may work in private practices, hospitals, or clinics. An example of therapy would be a person who is struggling with depression and anxiety visiting a therapist for weekly sessions.

The therapist may use Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to help the person identify and change negative thought patterns that are contributing to their depression and anxiety. The therapist may also explore the person’s past experiences and relationships to understand the underlying causes of their mental health issues. The therapy sessions would be focused on helping the person understand and manage their emotions and improve their overall mental well-being. Therapy can be helpful for people dealing with grief or trauma, sleep disorders, chronic illnesses, or mental health conditions.

Hence, as a coach, I believe it is crucial to stay within the frameworks of coaching. To summarise, therapists are trained to diagnose emotional problems and work with clients to heal the emotional wounds, while coaches are not trained to diagnose and do not focus on healing emotional wounds. However, during coaching, clients may experience a sense of healing or breaking old patterns and enter a new strength. Coaching, however, does not focus on the emotional problem. Emotions may be present in the conversation, but it is not the work of the coaching to heal. I believe that understanding the differences between coaching, psychology and therapy is very important since each one of them operate within a certain framework and it is crucial for practitioners to stay within the bounds of their respective practice.

Yashna Veera, Life Coach and Yoga & Meditation Practitioner