If you’ve ever found yourself considering professional support for personal growth or healing, you’ve likely encountered the terms mental health therapy and life coaching. And what is trauma-informed life coaching anyway? Or trauma-informed biblical counseling? While the goal of all is to support individuals in improving their lives, they serve distinct purposes and have different approaches. Understanding the differences can help you determine which is right for your unique situation. (And we offer both – so whichever you need, we’ve got your back!)
What is Mental Health Therapy?
Mental health therapy, also known as counseling or psychotherapy, is a clinical practice led by a licensed mental health professional. The person could be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Psychologist, etc. Therapists are trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, guide clients through emotional challenges, and provide strategies for coping with life’s difficulties.
Key Characteristics of Mental Health Therapy:
- Focus on Healing: Therapy often addresses past trauma, mental health diagnoses, and emotional wounds that may be impacting daily life.
- Licensed Professionals: Therapists hold specific qualifications and licenses (e.g., LPC, LCSW, LMFT) and adhere to ethical and clinical guidelines. Licenses are governed by state licensure boards and each has a specific set of requirements for licensing. For example, in NC a LCMHC must have attended & graduate from a CACREP-accredited Master’s Program, completed a practicum and internship, passed the National Counselor’s Exam (NCE), passed a background check, and completed 3,000 hours of supervised practice to get fully licensed.
- Evidence-Based Techniques: Therapy incorporates scientifically validated methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting (BSP), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), or Internal Family Systems (IFS).
- Treats Mental Health Disorders: Therapists can work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. Therapy is considered medical care.
- May be Reimbursable by Health Insurance: Because therapy is considered medical care, your health insurance may reimburse you or pay for your care (you’ll need to check your individual healthcare plan and discuss it with your therapist).
Therapy is ideal for individuals seeking to heal from deep-seated issues, gain insight into their emotional health, and develop strategies to manage mental health challenges.
What is Life Coaching?
Life coaching is a partnership between a client and a coach aimed at achieving personal or professional goals. Coaches focus on the present and future, helping clients identify their aspirations, overcome obstacles, and create actionable plans.
Key Characteristics of Life Coaching:
- Goal-Oriented: Coaching emphasizes setting and achieving specific goals rather than resolving past traumas.
- Not Licensed Counseling: Life coaches are not required to hold licenses or diagnose mental health conditions. You do want to find one that is certified though! Be sure any life coach you work with has training!
- Focus on Growth: Coaching supports personal development, productivity, and building confidence.
- Tailored Strategies: Coaches provide tools and strategies to help clients move forward in their lives.
- Not Medical Care: This means that coaching is not reimbursed by health insurance. Coaches also cannot diagnose mental health disorders.
Life coaching is ideal for individuals who are motivated to create change, navigate life transitions, or improve performance in specific areas such as career, relationships, or personal habits. Coaching isn’t appropriate for individuals who are unable to regulate their emotions or who are not regulated enough to engage in self-reflection without resorting to thoughts of self-harm or deep despair and shame.
Trauma-informed Life Coaching Versus Therapy
Trauma-informed life coaching bridges the gap between traditional coaching and mental health therapy. While it is not therapy and does not treat mental health disorders, trauma-informed coaching recognizes the impact of past experiences and incorporates sensitivity to those issues.
Trauma-informed Life Coaching
- Focuses on present and future goals while acknowledging the influence of past experiences.
- Helps clients build resilience, set boundaries, and regain confidence after trauma or abuse.
- Provides a safe and supportive space for growth without delving into clinical treatment.
If you have unresolved trauma or need help managing mental health symptoms, therapy may be the better fit. For those seeking practical tools to move forward after trauma in a non-clinical setting, trauma-informed coaching may be a great choice.
Trauma-informed Biblical Counseling
Trauma-informed biblical counseling is a type of life coaching that offers a unique blend of spiritual guidance and scriptural-based care for those navigating the complexities of trauma. This approach integrates the wisdom of faith and Scripture with trauma-sensitive practices, ensuring that both the emotional and spiritual dimensions of healing are addressed.
Key Characteristics of Trauma-Informed Biblical Counseling:
- Holistic Healing: Focuses on the mind, body, and spirit to provide comprehensive care. Can help a trauma survivor disentangle from spiritual abuse and reconnect with God.
- Faith-Integrated Support: Uses spiritual insights and practices to enhance the healing process without oversimplifying complex trauma. The Bible is used compassionately to help clients restore and build relationship with God. Scripture also is incorporated to help clients disentangle from abusive ways it was used against them.
- Clinically Informed Techniques: Combines clinically informed methods, such as grounding techniques and cognitive reframing, with faith-based encouragement.
- Safe and Compassionate Environment: Creates a space where individuals can explore their experiences and faith journey without judgment.
- Does Not Minimize or Spiritually Bypass Traumatic Events: Good trauma-informed biblical counseling is not “take-two-verses-and-call-me-in-the-morning.” It does not misuse Scripture to minimize or bypass what happened to the client. The Bible is carefully engaged when a client has been deeply harmed. Multiple translations may be used to help the client move through and heal triggers associated with past spiritual abuse.
Trauma-informed biblical counseling is an excellent choice for those who value faith as a foundational part of their recovery journey and seek a compassionate, spiritually grounded approach to healing.
How to Choose Between Therapy and Life Coaching
Here are some questions to help you decide:
- Are you experiencing mental health symptoms? If you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health challenges, therapy is the appropriate choice.
- Do you want to focus on achieving specific goals? If you’re looking to enhance your performance, improve relationships, or make life transitions, coaching might be right for you.
- Are past traumas affecting your present? If the impact of past experiences feels overwhelming, therapy provides the tools to process and heal. If you’ve done the work of healing but need support in moving forward, trauma-informed coaching may be a great option.
Can You Do Both?
Yes! Therapy and trauma-informed life coaching can complement each other. For example, you might work with a therapist to address mental health concerns while partnering with a coach to stay focused on your goals. This dual approach ensures both emotional healing and practical growth. Both the coach and therapist should have a written release to talk to each other – that gives you the very best wrap-around care and helps everyone stay on the same page!
Final Thoughts
Both mental health therapy and life coaching offer valuable support, but they serve different purposes. Therapy focuses on healing the past and managing mental health, while coaching empowers you to achieve your goals and create a fulfilling future. Whether you choose therapy, coaching, or a combination of both, investing in yourself is always a step in the right direction.
Ready to take the next step? Explore our trauma-informed life coaching services or mental health therapy options to find the support that’s right for you.