Getting divorced is an emotionally trying process that can leave you feeling rejected and alone. Keep in mind that although divorce can feel isolating, you’re not alone. You have your friends, your family, and your lawyer to provide the support you need to work through this difficult period of your life. If you feel you need additional motivation to get yourself through these dark times, talk to your Denver divorce attorney about working with a life coach. A life coach can help you reset your perspective to get yourself back onto a healthier life track as you complete the divorce process and adjust to your “new normal” in the months that follow. Your lawyer likely has at least one life coach in his or her professional network.
Before you commit to working with a life coach, take some time to learn about what working with a life coach entails. Your relationship with your coach will be unlike any other relationship you’ve had.
A Life Coach Isn’t a Therapist
Unless your life coach offers both counseling and life coaching services, your life coach does not have the same credentials a therapist has. This means he or she cannot provide you with the same type of introspective talk therapy that a licensed therapist can provide.
Here’s an easy way to distinguish between a life coach and a therapist: a therapist has a “doctor/patient” relationship with the client, whereas a life coach has a “teammates” relationship with the client. Both can help the client develop and work toward goals, but while a therapist helps the client by examining his or her past and current circumstances, a life coach motivates the client to move forward by taking deliberate actions.
What a Life Coach Does
In a nutshell, a life coach is part cheerleader, part advocate, and part coach. In this role, he or she helps the client determine his or her goals and the steps he or she needs to take to reach these goals. You can work on any kind of goal with your life coach, like getting a new job or losing weight. While the client works toward his or her goal, the coach checks in at regular intervals to hold him or her accountable.
What a Life Coach Doesn’t Do
As we mentioned above, a life coach isn’t a therapist. Your life coach won’t delve deep into your psyche and use clinical means to help you work through your mental and emotional challenges. He or she also cannot diagnose mental illness or prescribe medication.
Finding the Right Life Coach for You
It might take you some time to find the ideal life coach for you and your needs. Every life coach has a unique philosophy on what they do and approaches coaching from this unique perspective. When you ask your lawyer to connect you with a life coach, talk specifically about your goals and ways you think a life coach can help you. This way, your lawyer can determine which of the coaches in his or her network is the right fit for you.
