Sharing to inspire, not brag.
I was quite skeptical at first. I remember thinking coaching felt a little… vague? And I wasn’t sure how it would compare to the depth of therapy.
But over time, I realized I naturally leaned more toward solution-focused work. Even in sessions, I kept coming back to wanting to help clients move forward and take action, rather than spending as much time unpacking the past.
That curiosity is what led me to explore coaching more seriously.
Fast forward to now, I’m working as a full-time life coach. I work with clients from all over the USA, make about double what I was making before, and work around 30 hours a week instead of 40+.
And just to clear something up: coaching (at least how I practice it) still goes deep. We still talk about real challenges, patterns, fears, etc. The difference is there’s less emphasis on childhood/trauma and more focus on goals/outcomes.
Also, I don’t see coaching as “light therapy.” It’s not watered-down therapy or a substitute for it. It’s a completely different type of work with a different goal. Therapy is often about healing and processing, and coaching is about deciding and moving forward.
A couple things I’d share for anyone considering it:
- Yes, you do have to put energy into marketing yourself. I don't market on social media at all. I mostly attract clients by hosting a few workshops a year. But it’s not as intimidating as it seems once you get into it.
- Get high-quality training. There are a LOT of cheap coaching programs out there that are basically just handing out certificates without actually teaching you how to coach or build anything real. I went through a comprehensive and accredited program. Having structured tools and frameworks made a big difference in actually helping clients get results.
Also, because this question usually comes up, I haven’t really had issues with public perception. I think that comes down to how you position yourself. I focus my marketing on results and the value I create. Client results speak for themselves.
Curious if anyone else here has made the switch (or added coaching alongside therapy)? Would love to hear your experience.