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

---

The Background on Background Checks

In one of my past lives I held a Top... Read More

The Top 10 Mistakes Job Seekers Should Avoid In Contacting An Employer

There are numerous tools and resources available to guide job... Read More

Careers In The Advertising Business Internet Marketing Style

So you are interested in seeking a job with an... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Containing Anxiety

It hangs from the ceiling above your bed while you... Read More

15 Tips for Writing Winning Resumes

The thought of writing a resume intimidates... Read More

Q & A How to Find a Great Search Firm

Q & AQ: Are people sometimes cautious of 'headhunters'?A. Yes.... Read More

The Hidden Job Market: Real or Imagined?

The hidden job market has been touted as the place... Read More

Jesse And Al Should Read This!

Instead of getting all bent out of shape over innocuous... Read More

Getting Started: 5 Things You Need to Decide When You Get Started with a Job Search

There are few things more frustrating for a headhunter than... Read More

Rich Career, Poor Career

What makes for a rich career? It is more than... Read More

20 Powerful Tips For Advancing Your Career

You don't want to stay in your current position forever...... Read More

Travel Writer Jobs, What Are They And How To Find Them

Travel writing jobs are few and far between. Getting into... Read More

How to Crash - Proof Your Job Search

Think you have the speed, endurance, and know-how to fix... Read More

Five Biggest Resume Mistakes You Can Fix Yourself

A career consultant can diagnose and overhaul a troubled resume.... Read More

Ode to a Spoon

"Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what... Read More

Where Did All The Farmers Go?

Several times a year, I hear someone complain about the... Read More

Your Interview Questions Are a Serious Matter

Of course interviews are mainly about you answering the questions... Read More

Looking the Part

I don't know his name and he wasn't trying to... Read More

The 6 Stages of Modern Career Development

Career experts say that people will change careers (not jobs)... Read More

Knowing and Guessing

The line between average and exceptional work performance is dotted... Read More

Loving What You Do

Man is a social animal and survival is his major... Read More

Hey! - Are You Being Paid What You Are Worth?

Are you being paid what you are worth? Has anybody... Read More

Does Retirement Fit Into Your Busy Schedule?

Why do you work?Stop and think about it. Other than... Read More

Mastering The Lunch Interview

Interviews can be nerve-racking, brain-draining, headache-inducing experiences. These days, recruiters... Read More

Ten Courses Of Study If You Want To Be Your Own Boss

For many Americans, an important component of the American Dream... Read More

How To Write A Résumé

Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an... Read More

Do More than Expected to Get Ahead

One of the best things you can do to increase... Read More

50 Things To Do To Your Boss That Are Fun For You, But Not For Them

1. You're eavesdropping and you hear your boss has reservations... Read More

Leave Your Dead End Job?For Good!

So here you are?stuck in a dead end job. Are... Read More

Are You an Ex-career Woman Living In a New Country?

Were you once a successful, professional woman who had a... Read More

Your Resume Format - What Is The First Thing You Need To Do?

The first thing you need to do before you write... Read More

The Last Minute Interview

Your breath catches in your throat - at last, an... Read More

9 Secrets to Career Success

Are you miserable at your job (or what you are... Read More