Therapist, Coach, or the Best of Both?

What's the difference, and which one might be best for you?

The answer to this question is, what outcome are you hoping for?

If you are looking for support and help in figuring things out and making decisions, a coach may be the best way to go.

If you want to find help for depression, anxiety, or life trauma and need support and validation of your feelings and life perspective, a therapist might be a better choice.

One of the comments that I often hear from my clients is, “I have worked with a therapist off and on for years, working with you has helped me in ways that therapy never did!” 

I think this is because coaches often share their own life experiences if it's helpful to the client. And, the conversations are two-sided and supportive, which helps with exploring the client's life, problems, and possible solutions. We work on solutions together.

Coaches work alongside clients to create a plan to achieve their goals.

Therapists usually let the clients do the talking. A therapist never shares their life experiences or personal life with their client and doesn’t suggest what the client might do to solve a problem.

Because of the lack of personal engagement in the therapeutic model, clients can spend months caught in the whirlpool of an issue and get stuck, never making progress. A therapist won’t help you weigh your choices and their consequences or help you make a decision.

Who you choose to work with is important, too. What is their training? Therapists often have Master's Degrees, are licensed by state boards, and have guidelines they have to stay within.

Some coaches in the marketplace have a one-week, one-month, or even one-year training program and a coaching certification. This doesn’t compare with an MA or a PhD, or a professional whose training includes both.

In my MA and PhD research, I studied Menopause and Midlife, women’s life experiences, women’s mythology, folktales, and fairytales and created a coaching program that helps women get a top down, or mythic perspective on their lives and problems, one that allows women to see the big picture, not feel buried by their issues, and make confident decisions.

My PhD, including my training in both depth and archetypal psychology, blends the best of both worlds, therapy and coaching.

In times like these, we can all use some extra support and a strong community of women.

If you need help getting perspective on your life, where you came from, how you got here, and where you want to go, I can help.

You can book a free 30-minute consultation, and we can chat over your favorite 'cuppa, to see if I can help. BOOK HERE

Namasté,

Dr. A.

Read what some of my clients have shared below.

Testimonials

“Two years ago, I learned about Dr. A in an email from a women's wellness website. It was a very difficult time in my life as I had just lost both parents in the span of 9 months.  My work with Dr. A's started with The Heroines Path, a program that provided me with a framework to work through my grief.  Next, I continued with one-on-one sessions as they were so helpful in giving me the tools I needed to put my past into context and move on to the next chapter of my life.  Last April, I participated in the 2024 Regents' Retreat - the weekend was remarkable for me as I felt safe to be vulnerable, allowing me to connect with my inner self in a way that I had never been able to before.  All of my work with Dr. A has been truly life-changing and has enabled me to let go of some of the past that was holding me back and literally move on to the next phase of life.  Dr. A is incredibly giving of the gift of her knowledge and wisdom and a remarkable resource for this community.”  C.N.

“I am nearing the end of a 12-week coaching program with Andrea. I found her on the Women’s Wellness site, and after an introductory call, I knew I wanted to proceed. She is very genuine, relatable, and down to earth. She has a gift for meeting me where I am at with empathy and support. She has a beautiful blend of allowing for what I am dealing/struggling with while also helping me find ways forward. We have uncovered so much together that has been different than time in therapy. She listens very attentively and makes such insightful connections about my past and present. I especially appreciate that she is gently yet firmly helping me define what I need rather than my habitual focus on others. She is just right there with you, which is hugely important to have with a coach. I know that I can address anything with her and together we will work through it in a growthful manner. I highly recommend working with Andrea in any way. She is the real deal, you will quickly see that for yourself.” M.C.

“I retired after 42 years as a nurse practitioner in an intensive care unit. I joined an online social group for women and stumbled upon Dr. A.  I participated in a group discussion about the wild woman in all of us. I went a step further and signed up for some private coaching sessions with her. It changed my life.  Such empathy and positivity!  I put her heartfelt words and encouragement into practice and it gave me a sense of control in my life. I rekindled a relationship with my best girlfriend that went back to 7th grade.  I started to travel by myself or with my sisters and friends.. Dr. A. gave me the confidence to go after what makes me happy.  Not what makes everyone else happy. I set boundaries with my grown sons and husband on what I was willing to do for them without foregoing my own goals. I feel so free and empowered now. Thank you, Dr. A.!” M.T.