My Career is in the Doldrums - Do I Need a Coach or a Therapist?

Is Monday the worst day of your week? Can you hardly remember when you enjoyed going to work? Do friends ask why you seem so down? Maybe this has been going on awhile, and you're realizing it's time to do something. But where do you turn? At one moment you tell yourself "It's just my career?Change that, and everything will be OK". Another moment, you acknowledge you're living under a cloud and a lot of old emotional ghosts are returning. Your friend who's recommending you consult her therapist may be right.

Your uncertainty is understandable. Work itself is never "just work" but can reach deep into our attitudes toward ourselves and into our sense of belonging in the world. Furthermore, therapy and coaching have much in common and differ primarily in the emphasis each places on action and understanding. Whether you decide to deal with your work issues through a practical approach or a psychological approach is a matter of choice. The questions posed below should help you make that choice.

?Are you an action person or an insight person?

Most people are both, in some mix, but they instinctively approach change either by setting it in motion with action or by first assessing and preparing for its emotional impact. A shy mid-level manager, for example, who has taken on new responsibilities that involve public speaking, may gravitate toward a Toastmasters group for help. She would be a candidate for coaching if she wanted to develop her mastery further. Or she might prefer to look toward therapy as a setting in which she could

explore her anxieties about being in the spotlight.

?What's your track record for converting personal desires and dreams into real-time?

Although all of us may have periods of doubting whether we deserve work we love and are good at, being able to sustain a commitment to having what you want is essential for coaching. If you find yourself stuck in daydreaming about the ideal career, or perhaps avoiding or sabotaging efforts to create it for yourself, it may be that you're blocked by low self-esteem and/or depression. In this case, therapy might be the better choice, to help you build a positive investment in yourself.

?Holding your feet to the fire?too hot?

In the process of revitalizing your career, there's plenty of research to be done: research into yourself ? who you are now and what you want ? and research into the marketplace. A therapist would accompany you in researching yourself but would only indirectly participate in your market research. Homework and accountability are generally built into coaching, designed by you and your coach. Whether you find accountability motivating and focusing, or unwelcome pressure, should help inform your decision.

?Do you want an expert or a companion?

A therapist will invite you to go deeply into issues that may be blocking or confusing you, and may draw on his or her expertise to challenge your definition of the problem. A coach will invite you to co-create the goals and design of the coaching, and your stated agenda will be the focus unless you decide to change it. Both therapist and coach will help you see what you can't see, but you remain more explicitly in charge of coaching than you would of therapy.

If you come to the conclusion that you want to look into psychotherapy, it's advisable to look for word-of-mouth recommendations whenever possible. Another possibility is to consult your local Mental Health Association. Many people find it empowering to ask for sample visits with at least two therapists before making their decision. If you decide on coaching, be sure to inquire about training, in addition to experience, as you're looking for a coach. The International Coaching Federation maintains a credential that assures the client of a high level of both training and experience. And remember, nothing precludes doing therapy and coaching simultaneously. Some people find it a powerful duo. Good luck on your quest!

About The Author

Nina Ham, certified coach and licensed psychotherapist, is principal of Success from the Inside Out, providing individual coaching and teleseminars to build the skills, attitudes and habits for sustainable success in your career or business. Mail to: Nina@womenssuccesscoach.com, subscribe in subject line, for free monthly e-zine, or visit http://www.SuccessfromtheInsideOut.com.

Nina@womenssuccesscoach.com

---

Business Careers: Keys to Moving on from Retrenchment

You may be astonished to realize that retrenchment may occur... Read More

Common Resume Myths & Misconceptions

For the person crafting their first résumé the task can... Read More

The Role of a Medical Assistant in a Modern Medical Practice

Many physicians are unsure of what tasks are appropriate to... Read More

Write Resume Keywords That Gets Your Application Read

As children we often used to read stories where magical... Read More

Searching for an Executive Job

A job search for executives is far less complicated today... Read More

Are You Busy Living or Dying?

If you are not busy living, then you must be... Read More

Job Interviews: Use the Personal Touch to Get a Job

A study conducted by the Journal of Consumer Research in... Read More

Where Will Your IT Staff Come From NOW?

The labor recession is over. During the course of the... Read More

Make The Right Career Move

It is not realistic for HR Managers to believe that... Read More

Tips on Finding Employment as a Corporate Flight Attendant

I will not pretend that this is the easiest topic... Read More

5 Ways to Profit From No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (No Child... Read More

Online Resume Tips and Secrets

I manage a website for corporate flight attendants that features... Read More

Using Freelance Websites to Telecommute

How is your job hunting going? Have you had problems... Read More

Taking Your Words Seriously

When we ordered the stained glass window as... Read More

How Hedgehogs Hire

In my last column, I explored Jim Collins' "hedgehog" principle,... Read More

5 Resume Mistakes Telecommuters Often Make

Finding a legit telecommute job can be difficult. Telecommute jobs... Read More

Reinvent Your Career In Five Simple Steps

The phrase "reinventing yourself" seems to be popping up all... Read More

Ten Great Careers For Computer ?Geeks

The universal acceptance of computers into our daily lives, both... Read More

Why Should We Hire You?

This is one of those broad questions that can take... Read More

Perceptions

How was your latest car wash experience?Did you take your... Read More

Top Ten Guidelines For Working With Executive Recruiters

1. Select the right type of recruitment partnerDetermine whether you... Read More

The Interviewable Resume

It is rumored that the only word William Shakespeare wrote... Read More

Ten Great Careers That Don?t Require A Four Year Degree

One of the great myths associated with the "American Dream"... Read More

Acceptance is the Answer to All Our Problems

Many people today have lost jobs after decades of service;... Read More

Pebbles in Your Shoe Dont Only Hurt your Foot But Cause Back and Hip Problems!

CIO Magazine ran an article entitled, "Ten Mistakes CIO's Too... Read More

How to Deal With Workplace Inflexibility

You've been a model employee: responsible, industrious, creative and productive.... Read More

Are You Ready For A New Career?

Is your current or most recent job truly what you... Read More

The 10 Biggest Career Change Mistakes - And How to Avoid Them

Career change is no walk in the park.If it was... Read More

Unemployment Blues: Mind Over Mood

Our lives are tranquil and smooth so seldom, it seems.... Read More

Searching for a Federal Job

Many years ago searching for a federal job was a... Read More

What Makes Americans Hate Their Jobs? This Advice Turns That Epidemic Around

Here are the sobering facts: studies show that almost 70%... Read More

Resume Writing Dos and Donts

Do these things Include your full name - don't... Read More

3 Cover Letter Secrets Revealed

Writing a cover letter can be like cleaning your garage... Read More