Are you feeling like therapy isn’t quite hitting the mark? It’s a common experience that many individuals encounter on their journey towards healing. While therapy can provide valuable insights and support, it’s not always the end-all solution. Let’s delve into why therapy may fall short for some and how coaching can offer a fresh perspective and new possibilities for growth.
1. Moving Beyond Therapy
Therapy is undoubtedly beneficial for processing past traumas and gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves. It can provide a safe space to explore our emotions and uncover the root causes of our struggles. By its very nature, therapy often focuses on reflection and understanding rather than action and forward movement.
On the other hand, LIFE COACHING shines as an action-oriented and solution-focused approach to life’s challenges. As a coach, I don’t just help you understand your challenges; I empower you to take concrete steps towards overcoming them. Whether it’s setting boundaries, making decisions, or reclaiming your sense of joy and fulfillment, coaching equips you with the tools and support you need to make tangible progress in your life.
For instance, my client Linda came to me after years of therapy. She was frustrated and felt like therapy was making her feel like a victim and she wanted to get out of that feeling, and move forward. She had been divorced for years but just couldn’t get out of the rut of feeling like her ex still had power over her. After a few weeks of coaching she stopped seeing her therapist and told me, “I really liked my therapist, but I just don’t think she was helping anymore. I really like this feeling of freedom and power I have coaching with you.” And after 12 months of coaching together, she feels like she has a new lease on life, and is happily living her life, not needing therapy or coaching. She feels healed from the betrayal of the past, and no longer feels like her ex has any power over her.
2. Embracing Your Inner Expert
One of the fundamental beliefs of coaching is that you are the expert of your own life. While therapists may offer guidance and advice, they can inadvertently foster a sense of dependency on external validation and direction. This dynamic can leave individuals feeling disempowered and reliant on their therapist for solutions.
In coaching, the power lies within you. My role as a coach is to facilitate your journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Instead of prescribing specific solutions, I help you tap into your inner wisdom and intuition to identify the best path forward for yourself. Together, we explore a range of options and strategies, empowering you to make decisions that align with your values and goals.
Especially in the beginning, I am there as a helpful tool for you. But instead of giving you the answer and telling you what to do, I offer a few solutions and we explore what you think about each option. You then build your confidence as you choose the best option for you.
Recently my client Jessica started coaching. She has been married to a covert narcissist for over a decade and was having a very hard time making decisions. By starting out small, and giving her just two options of things to try, she was able to gain confidence as she tried each solution. Even when she chose one that didn’t work as well as she hoped, she tried the other option and gained confidence that she could know if something was working or not. From those beginning exercises, Jessica can see where she is now, after seven months of coaching, and the growth in her confidence and power is amazing. When we reminisce about her first few coaching sessions, she almost can’t remember that old version of herself. She is now making powerful decisions, and owning the power she has in her own life, free from narcissistic abuse.
3. Bridging the Gap
While therapy and coaching serve distinct purposes, they can complement each other beautifully. Therapy provides the foundation for healing by addressing past traumas and emotional wounds. Coaching builds upon this foundation by offering practical tools and strategies for moving forward and creating the life you desire.
Some people will find just therapy to be very helpful for them, and others may only use coaching. Either of those options are great if they work for you. But if you’ve been feeling stuck in therapy or yearning for a more proactive approach to your personal growth journey, coaching may be the missing piece of the puzzle. It’s not about replacing therapy entirely, but adding a practical set of tools to your emotional skill set that can help you reach your goals.
And by the way, did you know that even therapists hire life coaches to fill in the gaps of their own lives? It’s true. I’m currently hired by a couple of therapists to help them with the betrayal trauma they experienced with their partners. They enjoy coaching with me because of how empowered they feel after our sessions, and how helpful coaching has been in helping them make empowered decisions. Recently one of my clients who is a therapist said this, “Thank you so much. You’ve helped me more than any therapist and through the hardest journey of my life.”
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re intrigued by the idea of coaching and want to explore how it could support you on your journey, I invite you to schedule a $17 introductory coaching session with me. During this session, we’ll dive deep into your goals, identify potential roadblocks, and chart a personalized path forward towards a life of empowerment and fulfillment. I’m so confident that I can help you get unstuck, that if you are not satisfied with this first hour together, I will gladly refund you the $17 you paid. But the possible rewards for investing in this hour together far outweigh the risks. In fact, after coaching hundreds of people, so far ZERO have asked for a refund because the session wasn’t helpful. So what do you say? Are you ready to PUT YOURSELF FIRST and get unstuck?
Don’t let the limitations of therapy hold you back. It’s time to reclaim your power and create the life you deserve. Let’s embark on this journey together!
Before we part ways, I want to extend a heartfelt invitation to join my community. If you’re not already on my email list, I encourage you to click HERE and become a valued member. By doing so, you’ll receive timely notifications when new blog posts go live, offering you a regular dose of positive truths about relationships, insights into navigating betrayal trauma, and strategies for overcoming narcissistic abuse.
If you know someone struggling with relationship challenges, working to build self-confidence, or seeking guidance to make decisions they can feel good about, be their guiding light. Share this blog with them and invite them to my page. Together, we can empower others to make choices that resonate with their true selves. Because, deep down, I believe each human is their own best expert.
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As you contemplate your next steps, remember that the power to change your life for the better lies within you. If you’re ready for gentle, wise guidance as you face these challenging decisions, don’t let time slip away. Book a session now, and start your journey towards healing and clarity together.
Looking forward to connecting with you soon!
Kendra Last, Certified Life Coach & Retreat Leader
