So What Isn't A Life Coach?

A Life Coach is not a mentor or a therapist or a consultant though the roots of coaching can probably be found in all three of these disciplines.

A mentor shares their experiences on a particular topic and will share their insights with you. A mentoring relationship is one of a client looking up to the mentor. In contrast to this, the coaching relationship is a partnership with both participants are walking side by side with the coach assisting the client in accessing their own wisdom.

A consultant is usually a specialist in a particular field. He or she is hired by the client to provide their expertise and develop solutions. Once the problems are solved the consultant moves on. A coach will work side by side with the client to look at the issue, come up with a plan of action and support the plan through fulfillment. A coach does not have to be the expert in a field, the client is the expert.

A therapist is concerned with getting people that are perceived as unhealthy and bringing them to health. They are often concerned with past issues surrounding an issue. A coach in contrast works in the present and is focused upon bringing the client into an incredible future, achieving the goals and dreams they desire.

Where as there may be some similarities between mentors, therapists and consultants, coaching is quite unique in that it is a collaborative and action oriented partnership between coach and client with both parties working for the benefit of the client.