What is a coach? Differences with a psychologist

The word coach means “trainer”. And it refers to a person who has been trained to motivate, to teach techniques that help achieve the goals you want to achieve. If we look at football coaches, we will see how their true mission is not to win, but rather to help players increase their skills. That is, according to studies, true coaching.

Development and help

However, these concepts tend to be confused. So, it is necessary then differentiate what is a coach and what is a psychologist. Let’s put it briefly. example. A coach can make a person who knows how to play football shine, that is, he can make him develop the skills that he already possesses. But can this coach do something for a footballer who doesn’t play football well?

The same thing could be extrapolated to practically any other problem. If a person has the tools to achieve a goal, a coach can help them improve, to use their potential effectively. Even make you see the way in which you can use them more efficiently. However, if someone does not have the tools beforehand or does not believe in them, A coach will not be as useful as a psychologist, who has deeper knowledge about human behavior and its complexities.

The objective of this reflection is not to radically dismiss coaching. In fact, professional trainers have a real gift for helping and training people. Each person has to find what works best for them and adapts to their situation, depending in each case on the difficulty that has to be faced at each moment.

The importance of knowing what a coach is

Being clear about what a coach is will help you differentiate the professionals. A coach is a good option when you feel goodbut you are stuck and you don’t know how to achieve your goals and what tools to use to achieve them.

It will be an equal relationshipin which you are clear about what is happening to you and the goal you want to achieve. You need to be guided, accompanied and motivated, but don’t expect it to answer your existential doubts or resolve emotional conflicts. It focuses on the present and how to use your tools in the most efficient and effective way.

The difference with a psychologist

A psychologist would be your choice When you don’t feel well, your emotions get the better of you and your health suffers in some way. It will delve into your mind to work on what affects you and make you know yourself better.

It will be a relationship of authority. A relationship in which you are not only looking for someone who will train you to improve, but will also help you get to know yourself and find progressive solutions to your problems.

It is complicated to explain the task of a psychologist, because there are so many currents that the specific problem would have to be analyzed. There are those that focus more on the past, others on the present, or both. There are also those who, in addition to being psychologists, have trained as coaches.

Some erroneous beliefs about the work of coaching and that of the psychologist

It is important that when choosing which professional to attend tWe take into account the MYTHS that are usually used in the promotion of these services. Below, we present the most common ones.

“The therapy focuses on what is wrong, while the coach focuses on what can be improved and developed.”

Psychological therapy does not focus on what is “wrong.”. The psychologist deeply addresses the belief system and personality structure. He thus understands the origin of the reason for the consultation and works to promote healthier and more adaptive functioning.

“Coaching focuses on what you want and what is possible for you, it does not focus on what happened to you.”

This is not entirely true, There are psychological therapies (such as Gestalt) that focus on the here and now of the individual. On the other hand, it is important to be aware of the extent to which our past does not allow us to advance in what we want. In these cases, working on the past is an important step to reposition yourself in the present.

“Psychoanalytic therapy can take years, Coaching can only last a few sessions.”

Within psychology there are various approaches. Depending on each one, the therapy will have a duration or another. It is a mistake to generalize that any therapy involves “years.” Well, that will depend on the objectives set and the pace that the person sets within the process. But what is certain is that in therapy there are no miraculous solutions.

Aspects to take into account

In recent years, the number of people dedicated to offering coaching services has increased significantly. If you choose a coach, Make sure you have the necessary training to practice. There are many who disguise themselves as coaches, when in reality they have very little training. They see an open door to increase their profits and they use it, offering poor quality service.

Instead, If you decide on a psychologist Make sure it has a membership number. You must also take into account their experience and that, in addition to their degree, they have participated in courses or masters. We must not forget that a psychology degree is very global. After university studies, it is necessary to continue with training to specialize in something more specific.

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