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Counseling

Can a life coach help?

Answered by Penny Bell, Master of Counselling, Grad Dip Counselling, Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy, M. College of Clinical Counsellors ACA, M. College of Supervisors ACA, Reg. Supervisor CCAA.

Question

Can a life coach help me figure out what I want from life? I am not satisfied with my life. I know that what I have in my life right now is not what I need or want but I do not quite know what it is that I should do differently. I work in finance and make a lot of money that gets swallowed by the expenses of my family and lifestyle. Some days I just want to throw it all away and move to an island somewhere. I guess I feel stuck in this situation and even though I know I should be thankful to have a good job I do not feel lucky in any way. I love my wife and family to death but because of them I am trapped. I feel like I could use some guidance but I am a little confused about who to turn to. I guess I feel like I could use pretty regular support or motivation like from a life coach but I do not know how a life coach can help me if I don’t know what it is that I actually want to do.

It sounds as though you feel you are running very fast and hard in the "rat race" and are getting out of breath! A life-coach can definitely help you with your motivation, whether you're wanting motivation to stay on the road you’re on, or to get off it.  A life coach can help you to discover what it is that you really want for your life, your life purpose.   He or she will help you to explore your wants, desires, needs, and dreams, and work out a plan to achieve them.  The life coach will always keep the ball in your court – they won’t tell you what to do or how to do it, rather, they will help you to decide and plan for yourself.  However life coaching is not counselling or therapy, so if your dilemma is not purely career related, but also involves feeling anxious or depressed, and if you have some personal and/or relationship issues that need to be addressed and resolved, then a counsellor is the person to consult. 

About the Expert

Penny Bell

Master of Counselling, Grad Dip Counselling, Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy, M. College of Clinical Counsellors ACA, M. College of Supervisors ACA, Reg. Supervisor CCAA.

Killarney Vale, NSW, Australia, Australia

Specialties

Women, Anxiety or Fears, Child or Adolescent Issues, Divorce, Trauma and PTSD, Personality Disorders, Mood Disorders, Parenting, Spirituality, Chronic Pain or Illness, ADHD, Impulse Control Disorders, Relationship Issues, Infertility or Adoption, Loss or Grief, Eating Disorders, Depression, Finding Your Purpose in Life

License

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