Discovering Life Transitions Coaching And Counseling

By Sarah Wallace


When it comes to counseling, there are many different areas in which an individual may be looking for assistance. In one case, it can be in relation to a number of life changes in which Life Transitions Coaching can often be the best option. For, life coaches are different from counselors in that these individuals help people meet a specific goal or goals.

The term coaching often refers to two individuals who work together in which one has more experience and expertise than the other in a specific area. For example, those whom teach on the job training, lead workshops, coach sports teams and educators are all considered coaches. In most cases, coaching only last for a specified period of time, while counseling can often be a life long process.

While many people think life coaches are a fairly new idea, different types of coaching have been around since the 1830s at Oxford University. In the earliest days, the term coach was used as slang in relation to a tutor who helped students through the exam process. As a result, the term now identifies people which can take an individual from where one is now in life and where one wants to be.

Throughout history, coaches have been a part of a number of different activities. These activities include psychology, personal development, leadership studies, movements such as "est, " workshops, the Human Potential Movement, Positive Thinking and adult education. Coaching in this area includes a number of different communication skills to assist clients in shifting perspectives from the impossible to possible. Thus, allowing individuals to learn different methods of achieving various goals in life.

Life coaches are often considered to have a meta-profession which assist clients in political affiliations, spiritual direction, social scenes and networking, personal issues, health concerns, careers and professions. Whether working on a specific goal, or life overall, the effect, style and type of assistance needed can often depend on culture, ethnicity and a number of other factors.

One area in which a coach is more appropriate than a psychological counselor is in relation to marriage and relationships. For, while there are marriage counselors whom work with couples having issues during a marriage or relationship, coaches often work with couples before tying the knot to assure that both parties are on the same page with regards to business, careers, children, lifestyle, monogamy versus non-monogamy, residential locations, retirement and other issues.

On the other side of things, couples going through a divorce or cross country move due to a career change also need assistance from a coach. Whether facing a custody battle, fighting over property or personal items, coaches can often help both parties remain calm during the process. At the same time, it is important that the individuals work together to come to a compromise which is beneficial to all effected by final orders in the divorce decree.

Most often, coaching in this area can include all areas of life such as marriage and relationship, family, career, business and spiritual matters. While coaches often focus on one specific area at a time, there are some whom will work on all areas by providing a schedule and using time management techniques for each area of interest. In either case, coaches can often help individuals and couples resolve issues more quickly, achieve goals and become more successful.




About the Author: