What is the Difference Between Coaching and Counselling, and Which one Would be Best for me?

This is by far one of the most frequently asked questions that I am asked!

There are various schools of thought on the differences between the two, sometimes controversially so.
Having received training and worked with clients in both areas, below is my own personal definition on the differences:

Counselling: Good counselling is person centred. The counsellor holds space, and facilitates the client to move into their own understanding of their issue or difficulty so that healing can take place.

Coaching: The client is already at the point of being ready to internalise an issue or difficulty, and embrace change in their life. They are keen to move from A to B, but may have some obstacles and/or limiting beliefs that prevent them from doing so. A life coach will support, motivate, and guide the client to understand various points of tensions so that they can self-direct towards their new goal(s) and aspirations.
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When choosing which kind of support is best for you, it is useful to consider where you are in terms of the spectrum of your own personal hero’s journey. Please see diagram below:

​The Hero's Journey

Are you just crossing the threshold in your own personal ordeal; or have you already been through to the pit of your journey, and are now ready to take the lessons therein and come up out the other side?

Choosing a counsellor is generally best when you are still in the decent stage of your journey, deep within the process of slaying a few metaphorical dragons so to speak.
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A coach on the other hand, will help you in seeing the rewards from the ordeal, and to bring the treasures back with you as you make your return. They will assist you to bridge the divide between where you are (death and re-birth), and where you want to be, using the lessons learnt along the way towards your own self- mastery.

If there is still some lingering doubts or limiting beliefs, a coach will walk beside you and powerfully guide you back on the road towards your own resurrection.

The two really do work hand in hand together, and is one of the reasons why I have trained in both areas!  

I hope this post assists you in the navigation of your own personal journey.
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Michelle Bailey
Life Coaching & Transpersonal Services
www.mbailey.com.au