Everybody’s talking about therapy.

There are people very close to you who have tried or maybe continued with therapy.

At times, you are thinking about frustrations in your own life. But the idea of “mental health care” seems scary and uncomfortable, even unnecessary.

You think of labels like “depression” and medication. None of this sounds appealing. Yet you want to make your life better. And you could use some advice from time to time!

You may want to think about coaching.

This may be better than therapy.

Therapy seeks to treat “mental health conditions” and address unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior. Coaching aims to help people who are already functioning - like you (look at all the things you’ve conquered already!) - to perform at a higher level and overcome obstacles.

The idea of coaching is to create an encouraging space that applies gentle pressure to help you achieve your goals. So, coaching can look really similar to therapy, because if therapy can help address patterns in your behavior that are holding you back, the results will be similar.

Yet there is a key difference in your focus.

• Coaching is about unlocking your power.
• Therapy is about healing a wound.

You needn’t jump to the conclusion all the time that you are “unwell”. You might think of the possibility you are simply not performing at the level you would like, whether that’s at school, at home, at work, or in networks of people. And that’s ok! That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. Often, that choice of language is unhelpful and frightening.

We’re only human, we’re young and we’re still learning. But we can always learn to get more out of ourselves.

If you are attracted to the idea of coaching, make sure to seek evidence in the approach of those you consult.

There are many brilliant coaches out there.

Finally, coaching may be cheaper than standard therapy, and that’s important.

Nonetheless, it is your road to take and you will get better, as you already have, at understanding the support you need.

All the best in finding those you want to bring into your special world.

It is a privilege.