So… What Is Life Coaching, Really?
With all the buzz around therapy and mental health lately, you may have come across the term “life coach” and wondered: “What exactly is that?” or even “How is that different from therapy?”
Fair questions!
If you’re facing a big transition, feeling stuck in a habit loop, or just looking for a bit more clarity, confidence, and momentum in your life… working with a life coach could be worth exploring.
Let me break it down:
Life Coaching in a Nutshell
At its core, life coaching is about helping you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
A coach partners with you to explore your goals, identify roadblocks (internal or external), and map out a plan for meaningful progress.
Coaching can look a lot of different ways, depending on the coach’s background and your unique needs. Some coaches specialize in career pivots, relationships, burnout recovery, sobriety, creativity, leadership, or even dating. Others take a more generalist approach and support a wider range of life transitions.
Unlike therapy, coaching tends to be more action-focused: While therapy often dives into your past and helps you process emotional pain…
Coaching is usually centered on the present and future: Taking stock of what’s working, what’s not, and what changes might help you move forward.
What Happens in a Session?
Most coaching sessions include a blend of conversation, reflection, and planning.
You might start with a grounding or mindfulness exercise, then move into a discussion about what’s shifted since your last session: chatting about what felt good, what felt hard, and what insights arose along the way.
From there, your coach may help you identify mindset patterns, build new habits, or navigate challenging decisions. Most sessions end with a small action step to carry forward between sessions.
Every coach has their own style—some are more structured, some more intuitive—but a good coach will always tailor their approach to you.
The relationship itself is a big part of the magic: having someone in your corner who listens without judgment, believes in your potential, and helps you stay accountable along the way.
How Is Coaching Different from Therapy?
This is a common question, and an important one.
Therapy is typically led by licensed mental health professionals who are trained to work with clinical issues like anxiety, trauma, and depression. Therapy sessions tend to be more open-ended.
Coaching, on the other hand, tends to be more focused on personal growth and goal-setting. That said, coaching can still feel therapeutic. It’s a space for deep reflection and personal insight, but it’s not a substitute for mental health treatment.
If you’re in crisis, or if emotional pain is interfering with your day-to-day life, therapy is the better place to start.
Coaching can be a great complement to therapy, or a standalone support if you're feeling relatively stable but seeking clarity, direction, or change.
“While therapy is typically insight-oriented, coaching is action-oriented.”
How to Choose a Coach
Since the field of life coaching isn’t regulated in the same way as therapy, it’s important to do your research. Some coaches have gone through formal training and certification programs, while others bring deep lived experience or mentorship-style support.
Look for someone whose values align with yours, and who communicates clearly about how they work. It’s okay to ask about their training, specialties, and what kind of clients they typically serve.
Most importantly, pay attention to how you feel. Do you feel seen and supported? Challenged in a good way? Encouraged to grow?
The right coach won’t just help you set goals, they’ll help you become the version of yourself who can actually reach them.
Wondering if coaching is right for you?
☝️ It's a great way to answer any questions you might have and determine if coaching is a good match for your unique circumstances and goals.
“My life has changed forever. Jamie’s time, energy, understanding, words of comfort and encouragement, and her genuine caring will never, ever be forgotten.”
“Jamie’s coaching was key to leading me through the valley to a mountain top. She’s helped me process hard feelings, gain clarity of tools that are no longer serving me, and to let go of my mistakes with self-compassion and without judgment. This work started with alcohol but has led to so, so much more.”
“The coaching sessions I’ve had with Jamie have helped me reroute my entire life.
I started this originally because I wanted to change my drinking patterns, and my drinking has changed. But, as a surprising twist, Jamie also helped me identify and heal resentments I’ve been holding onto and set down the “masks” that I’ve been wearing to keep myself feeling safe but also small.
She helped me step into responsibility for my life which has actually set me free. I’m so grateful. ”
