What Is Life Coaching?
Life coaching is like having a personal guide who helps you plan your goals and supports you while you work towards them. A life coach isn’t there to fix problems from your past—they’re more focused on your future.
Think of it like this: If you’re trying to improve your time management, become more confident, or figure out what you want to do in life, a life coach is someone who helps you make a plan and stick to it.
Example: Imagine you want to start your own small business one day. A life coach would help you set goals, create steps to get there, and keep you motivated along the way.
Counselling is more about understanding your thoughts and feelings, especially when something in your life is causing emotional pain or stress. A counsellor helps you talk through your problems and teaches you ways to cope better.
Think of it like this: If you’re feeling sad, anxious, or struggling with something that happened in the past, a counsellor helps you work through those feelings and understand them better.
Example: If you’re having a tough time after a family argument or loss, a counsellor will help you explore those emotions and find healthier ways to manage them.
| Life Coaching | Counselling |
|---|---|
| Focuses on the future | Focuses on the past and present |
| Helps you set and reach goals | Helps you understand and cope with emotions |
| Works with your strengths | Helps you deal with struggles |
| More action-based (like a coach!) | More emotion-based (like a therapist) |
Becoming more confident
Improving study or work habits
Setting goals for school, sports, or life
Staying motivated
Overcoming negative thinking
Life coaches often use tools like:
Goal-setting plans
Action steps
Positive thinking techniques
Accountability check-ins (making sure you stick to your plan)
They might even use the GROW Model:
Goal – What do you want?
Reality – Where are you now?
Options – What can you do?
Will – What will you actually do?
Dealing with stress, anxiety, or sadness
Working through trauma or grief
Understanding yourself better
Improving relationships with family or friends
Coping with change or pressure
Counsellors often use:
Active listening (really hearing what you’re saying)
Empathy (understanding your feelings)
Therapy techniques like:
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) – changing negative thinking patterns
Mindfulness – staying calm and focused
Person-centred therapy – giving you a safe, non-judgmental space to talk
Life Coaches:
Complete special coaching courses
Learn how to help people set goals and stay motivated
May get certified by coaching organisations like the International Coach Federation (ICF) or the Asociation of Coaches (AC).
Counsellors:
Study psychology and counselling in college or university
Learn how to help people understand their emotions
Often get registered with groups like BACP or UKCP
Work under supervision and gain experience through real-life sessions
It depends on what kind of help you’re looking for:
If you want help setting goals, making a plan, and moving forward → Life Coach
If you need help understanding your feelings or dealing with something painful → Counsellor
Yes! Some people work with both a coach and a counsellor, depending on their needs.
For example:
You might talk to a counsellor to deal with anxiety, and once you feel better, work with a coach to start building your confidence or planning your next steps.
Life coaching and counselling are both great ways to get support—but they do it in different ways.
Life coaches help you chase your goals and push forward.
Counsellors help you understand your emotions and heal from the past.
Whether you’re going through a tough time or just want to grow as a person, knowing the difference between these two roles can help you decide what kind of help you need.
And remember: asking for help is a smart and brave thing to do.
