Both an end of life coach and a psychologist (or other mental health practitioner) focus on promoting healthy behavior. Their goal is to improve their client’s quality of life. They are going to be the anchor of their client’s emotional journey.
Here is why you should choose an end-of-life coach. The key difference between the two is this. End of life coaching is the process of being with people who are dying or people who are mourning the loss of a loved one. The end-of-life coach affirms that what you are going through, that what you are experiencing on your unique journey is normal. You are assured that death and grief are an age-old normal and natural part of life.
On the other hand, a psychologist focuses on psychotherapy to treat diagnosed emotional and mental suffering in clients. This can and does include suffering from a terminal illness, coping with a loved one suffering from a terminal illness, or the death of a loved one. But a psychologist also deals with other life and mental health issues. They don’t get personal. They don’t see the raw picture. They have to be professionally objective to succeed. Your end-of-life coach will walk alongside you giving voice to your feelings, emotions, and experience.
Your coach will bear witness to a unique time of life that almost no one else does. In a safe, accepting, judgment free space you will be able to talk about whatever is on your mind, knowing that everything you share is completely confidential. There is no clinical diagnosis reported to your insurance company that far too often becomes a burden of negativity.
A psychologist comes from the perspective that you are broken and need fixing.
An end-of-life coach sees you as well and whole. You are simply a person who could be supported and guided by a partner to walk the journey with you.
Some of the topics you might explore with your coach include:
Have I lived my life well?
What do I still want to accomplish in the time that is left?
How do I want people to remember me?
What relationships do I want to mend before I die?
Who do I want to see one last time?
What do I want my loved ones to know?
Could I choose what I want in my funeral? And how do I let people know?
What have I left unsaid – and is that ok, or do I want to say it now?
You can learn more about CoachRev Lee and her approach by going to her website: www.coachrev.com
