Difference Between Coaching and Therapy
For a highly sensitive person (HSP), understanding the differences between therapy
and life coaching is crucial when seeking support and guidance.
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Here's a breakdown of how therapy and life coaching differ in their
approach and benefits for HSPs:
Focus
Therapy for HSPs:
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Therapy for highly sensitive people primarily focuses on addressing emotional and psychological challenges associated with sensitivity. It can dive into past traumas, unresolved emotions, and deep-rooted issues that may be impacting your well-being and relationships.
A therapist helps you to navigate and heal from emotional wounds, manage anxiety or overwhelm, and develop coping strategies to handle your sensitivity in a healthy way.
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Life Coaching for HSPs:
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Life coaching for highly sensitive, heart-centered people is more of a future-oriented and goal-driven process. It focuses on leveraging the strengths of your sensitivity while helping you make changes and improvements in your everyday life.
As a coach, I work with HSPs to set specific goals, identify your values, and develop strategies to overcome challenges related to your sensitivity. I help you stay motivated and accountable. My emphasis is on your personal growth, empowerment, and maximizing your potential.
Approach
Therapy for HSPs:
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Therapists use evidence-based therapeutic techniques to explore the root causes of emotional struggles. They help clients process difficult emotions and find closure.
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They may use various modalities, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), depending on the individual's needs.
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Life Coaching for HSPs:
As a life coach, I take a proactive and solution-focused approach to support you. It is more of an equal relationship where I collaborate with you to develop an actionable plan. We come up with strategies for you to implement in order to achieve your identified goals.
Throughout our work together, I help you identify and overcome challenges, and thrive in various aspects of life. I do this through positive psychology, mindfulness techniques, and accountability structures in order to support the your progress.
Client Population
Therapy for HSPs:
Therapy is suitable for highly sensitive people who are dealing with significant emotional distress, trauma, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges that require professional clinical intervention.
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One downside to therapy is that the therapist is limited to practice only in the states where they are licensed and their client is located. For example, if you live in Utah and find a therapist you want to work with but they are licensed and live in Ohio, they are not permitted to work with you.
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Life coaching does not have those location limitations.
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Life Coaching for HSPs:
Life coaching is a good fit for heart-centered, highly sensitive people who are emotionally stable but seek guidance in addressing some of their current challenges, including struggles with their sensitivity.
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As a coach, I help HSPs set and achieve both personal and professional goals. We can work together to improve your self-awareness and enhance your overall well-being.
To learn more about my coaching offerings
and to see if we are a good fit