Coaching Vs. Consulting
COACHING… COUNSELING… CONSULTING…MENTORING,
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
By
Esther Rochelle Goolsby, C.P.C.
Knowing the differences between these modalities will enable those seeking help to find the appropriate venue that will best serve their individual needs. As a Certified Professional Coach with a B.A. in Christian Counseling and a Master’s Degree in Theology and over 30 years of teaching experience I am most comfortable using the mentoring/teaching venue in my coaching. I also understand the differences in these modalities, which helps me determine and facilitate the direction an individual seeking help will best be served.
Up until just a few short years ago when we heard the term “coach” we almost always thought of the sports world. Without the coach, the athlete is left compromised, most noticeably in their ‘mental’ game of the particular sport they are involved in. Today there are many who without any type of formal training call themselves coaches; then there are those who have been well trained in the profession of Life Coaching who are now being recognized for their ability to help an individual move from their present position to a forward mobility in achieving personal pre-determined goals. Now Let’s look at the differences between Coaching and Counseling in particular.
* Coaching’s main focus is finding creative ways to reach one’s potential in the FUTURE.
* Counseling’s main focus is on solving painful problems from the PAST. (In most cases these clients demonstrate a psychological component that a trained licensed counselor can properly diagnose and treat.)
* Coaching is driven by using tools that will facilitate specific achievable goals to bring about RESULTS in people’s lives.
* Counseling guides clients toward experiencing RELIEF through recovery.
* Coaching guides clients toward strategic ways to MAXIMIZE their lives.
* Counseling helps people build support systems to STABILIZE their lives.
* Coaching builds healthy patterns with accountability to experience personal POWER.
* Counseling develops healthy emotions and relationships to experience PEACE.
(Please note that some of the previous comparison information was taken from CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CONNECTION; Volume 17 – Issue 2; by Dwight Bain, M.A.)
The CONSULTANT is an expert in a certain field who gives advice. The COUNSELOR is a professional who prescribes what you need to become a whole person. The MENTOR is usually someone more senior than you who is imparting to you life experience and knowledge. The Professional COACH is what we can call “change experts” who help you develop unique solutions for individual situations. (coachingpastors.com)
You might ask yourself, “Why Life Coaching in today’s World?” The truth be known, people are looking for accountability and structure to achieve their dreams and goals. They desire to be held responsible for specific actions, and they want the unwavering support from a coach who is committed to their success. The Professional Coach will help the client clearly identify and articulate goals and desires then hold them accountable. Strategies to overcome roadblocks are developed and implemented. Limiting beliefs are also identified and strategies are developed to eliminate erroneous beliefs (stinken’ thinking). Coaching will help the client to step outside comfort zones, and by strategically asking thought provoking questions, help catapult the client forward to a promising future.
