Life as a mother is a beautiful, messy, and downright exhausting journey. And let's be real—it's okay to admit that sometimes we need a little extra support to navigate the ups and downs. But when it comes to seeking help, you might find yourself wondering: Should I go for coaching or therapy? What's the difference anyway? Well, no worries, I'm here to break it down for you.
Coaching: Empowering You to Reach Your Goals
Think of coaching as your personal cheerleader, guiding you toward your goals and dreams. Whether you're struggling with work-life balance, parenting challenges, creating realistic household systems, or finding your purpose beyond motherhood, a coach is there to help you gain clarity, set actionable goals, and hold you accountable for taking steps towards achieving them.
Coaching is appropriate for mentally stable people who need education on skills or techniques to meet their individual goals. When you work with a coach, there is no therapeutic relationship. A coach does not have the license to assess, diagnose, or treat mental health issues.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
Am I looking to make specific changes or achieve certain goals in my life
Example: "I want to start a new business but feel overwhelmed. Can a coach help me create a plan and stay on track?"
Do I feel stuck and need someone to help me see things from a different perspective?
Example: "I'm constantly feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Could a coach help me develop coping strategies and help me with implementation?"
Am I ready to take action and commit to making positive changes in my life
Example: "I've been putting off exercising and taking care of myself. Can a coach help me prioritize self-care and stay motivated?"
When looking for a coach, be sure to research their experience, as there is no regulating board to monitor the effectiveness of their coaching method. What does the coach claim to do? Have they done this themselves? Research that they have the “receipts” to back up their claim.
Therapy: Healing and Growth Through Self-Exploration and Treatment
Therapy, on the other hand, is like a deep dive into the ocean of your emotions, past experiences, and inner workings. Whether you're grappling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues, a therapist provides a safe space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings, gain insight into your behaviors, and heal from past wounds.
This is done through an assessment of your past history, diagnosis of mental health issues, and a formal treatment plan documented in a confidential medical records chart. Therapists are licensed by the state in which they provide treatment and are required to follow ethical guidelines monitored by their state of licensure.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
Am I struggling with my mental health and need support to cope with difficult emotions?
Example: "I've been feeling incredibly low and can't seem to shake it off. Should I seek therapy to help me understand why I'm feeling this way?"
Do I have unresolved trauma or past experiences that are affecting my present life?
Example: "I experienced a traumatic birth with my first child, and it's still impacting me emotionally. Could therapy help me process and heal from this experience?"
Am I feeling overwhelmed by my emotions and struggling to function in my daily life?
Example: "I'm constantly on edge and snapping at my loved ones. Would therapy help me learn healthy coping mechanisms and improve my relationships?"
When looking for a therapist, check their license number with the state licensing board to ensure they are in good standing (here's a link for Wisconsin, or find an MMHI Preferred Provider!). Additionally, it’s important to make sure they specialize in the area you need support. There are many types of treatments and styles of therapy. The good news is if you start with one clinician and it does not seem to be a good fit, you can get referrals for one that better fits your needs.
Conclusion
Whether you choose coaching or therapy ultimately depends on your specific needs, goals, and preferences. Coaching is ideal for those who are stable and seeking support to achieve specific goals and make positive changes in their lives. At the same time, therapy is best suited for those grappling with mental health issues, trauma, or unresolved emotions. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to seeking support, and exploring different options is okay until you find what works best for you. So, take a deep breath, mama, and know that help is out there whenever you're ready to reach out for it. You've got this!
Need support as a mom? Reach out to discuss which service is right for you.
Written by: Lynsey Retzlaff, MSW, LCSW is a mindset and mental wellness speaker, working mom coach, and licensed therapist. She is a mother of two and has over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. Through this experience, she has found joy in helping working mothers redefine, renew, and reclaim their journeys through The RENEWED Working Mom Narrative™ coaching program. Additionally, Lynsey provides therapy to women with high-functioning trauma and anxiety.
As a result of redefining her own life, she partners with companies on mental wellness solutions to address burnout that impacts the bottom line of every working person. Lynsey's most notable features to date have been in the well-known Parade, Authority, Home & Gardens, & Canvas Rebel magazines, and her insights can be heard on multiple podcasts.
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