Since the pandemic, the world of coaching has changed dramatically, and the lines between coaching and therapy have become somewhat blurred. The health crisis has brought new challenges with it: an increase in mental health problems, isolation, blurring of the lines between professional and personal life, uncertainty, loss of meaning, career transition and family problems... these changes have revealed new coaching challenges that coaches face on a daily basis.
This environment has led to the development of psychological and emotional issues for some people that go beyond the traditional coaching framework, making it more difficult to separate the roles of coaches and psychologists.
We've also noticed that in the professional world, the terms ‘coach’ and ‘ psychologist’ are often used interchangeably. In reality, they refer to different methods and very distinct roles.
Clarifying the terms
Coaching is the art of guiding a person towards achieving specific, concrete goals and realising individual potential. Whether it's to boost a career, improve leadership skills or find a better work-life balance, the coach is there to guide, motivate and encourage. His or her role is based in the present and oriented towards the future.
Psychologists, on the other hand, are mental health professionals trained to diagnose and treat psychological and emotional disorders. Their approach is more introspective and therapeutic, exploring the roots of behavioural and emotional problems. They are qualified to use a variety of therapeutic methods.
Whereas a coach helps you develop strategies to move forward, a psychologist helps you understand why you're stuck.
Different professions for different needs
Since Covid-19, coaches often find themselves dealing with people in great emotional distress, showing signs of anxiety or depression. Here, the risk is to cross an invisible line: the one between coach and psychologist.
And that's where we should pay attention.
Just as it would be pointless to take your pulse with a compass, it is equally ineffective to seek answers to deep-rooted psychological problems with coaching methods. Similarly, a psychologist is not necessarily the best choice when it comes to helping you achieve specific performance goals.
It is therefore essential to identify your needs in order to choose the right support, although the two professions can work hand in hand.
In conclusion:
Knowing who to talk to is essential if you want to make effective progress on the path to personal development.
Your compass (coach) is there to guide you in your concrete actions and decisions, while your stethoscope (psychologist) examines your emotional and mental state in more detail.
Knowing when and where to turn is already a step towards well-being. And in a world where personal development and well-being have become priorities, knowing who to talk to for the right support is crucial.
In short, in order to navigate serenely into the future, make sure you have the compass in your hand and/or the stethoscope on your heart, and not the other way round!
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