You’ve made an important decision: you need some help walking through life’s challenges, and you think it’s time to sit down with someone to guide you. You’re just not sure who is best for that. Should you talk with a chaplain, some kind of life coach, or a professional counselor? All three focus on helping individuals deal with issues, but they do so in very different ways. What’s right for someone else may not be the right choice for you.
What does each do?
- Chaplains are generally religious leaders who focus on providing spiritual and emotional guidance that’s consistent with their specific faith tradition.
- Life coaches concentrate on helping people achieve their personal or professional goals by focusing on motivation, goal-setting, and similar steps.
- Counselors are mental health professionals who have been trained to help your make meaning from your past, find clarity from your challenges, and develop a nurturing path to wholeness.
What training does each have?
- Chaplains may be members of clergy who have studied in a seminary or other higher education setting. Other chaplains may be lay people who have received basic education.
- Life coaches come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some may have received formal training, often from professional organizations. Most aren’t licensed.
- Counselors at Care to Change typically have master’s degrees and additional years of experience, and either on track to take board exams for licensure or already have licensure and participate in ongoing professional development.
What methods does each use?
- Chaplains focus on spiritual and emotional support within a religious context, and may concentrate on prayer and explanations through scripture.
- Life coaches generally rely upon motivational, goal-setting, and accountability techniques to help their clients improve performance and confidence.
- Counselors at Care to Change use evidence-based approaches to walk with individuals and families as they explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
Which is right for me?
That depends entirely on you, your individual needs, and your preferences. For example, if your goal is to boost your self-confidence in your job, a life coach might be the best option. Struggling with your faith? A chaplain may help you look at things differently. And if you’re finding it difficult to work through with some aspects of your daily life or your relationships with others, a counselor may be able to bring added insight or strategies for success.
Wondering whether a counselor is right for you … or whether you’d be better off with one of the other choices? Give us a call and we’ll walk with you through the decision making process. They have plenty of experience at asking the right questions to help you determine the best course of action for who you are and what you need.