Research suggests that life coaching can have a range of positive effects, improving personal insight and self-reflection. Life Coaching may also help improve overall mental health and quality of life, social behavior, and personality. The foundation of a good coaching relationship is trust and authenticity.
Positive psychology life coaches pay particular attention to assisting clients to identify their strengths. Clients learn to explore and develop them as a means to achieve their goals, and also to cultivate positive emotions. Generating positive emotions can leads to what is called, “an upward spiral.” Some of those emotions identified are:
Inspiration
Hope
Interest
Love
Joy
Gratitude
Peace
A Look at the research, suggests that the effects of coaching come from applying knowledge obtained from social science research. For example, the "Self-Determination Theory of Motivation" which is described as a person’s ability to reach their peak in “motivation, engagement, performance, persistence, and creativity.” Other areas that can experience the growth of coaching include:
Motivational Interviewing – This approach encourages people to develop their own reasons for change. It has been tested in counseling people with addictions.
Emotional Intelligence – This includes four areas: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.
Design Thinking – A method that helps people find creative solutions to problems.
Social Cognitive Theory – That learning happens in social contexts. It is the interplay between a person, their environment, and behavior.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – This is a type of psychotherapy (talk therapy). Which helps clients identify and overcome negative thinking patterns. This helps the client better handle future challenging situations.
Integrating Counseling and Coaching for Comprehensive Mental Health Support:
While counseling and coaching are distinct in their approaches, they can be integrated to provide comprehensive mental health support. The synergy between counseling and coaching recognizes the importance of addressing both underlying emotional issues and empowering individuals to take action towards their goals.
Counseling helps individuals explore and heal deep-rooted emotional wounds, understand the impact of past experiences on their present challenges, and develop healthy coping strategies. It provides the necessary foundation for individuals to gain self-awareness, build emotional resilience, and manage mental health concerns effectively.
Coaching, or life coaching, on the other hand, complements counseling by focusing on personal growth, goal achievement, and action-oriented strategies. It empowers individuals to set and pursue their aspirations, build confidence, and enhance their overall well-being. Coaching provides the tools, support, and accountability individuals need to translate insights gained from counseling into tangible actions and positive change.