Grief Counseling Versus Coaching

"We have no choice as to whether or not we will deal with end-of-life issues… we have a choice as to whether our time of grieving and mourning will be healthy and a time of growth."- Don Eisenhauer (2012)

Counselors and coaches each have their place in helping others grow and get unstuck in life. If a person is dealing with mental illness or complicated grief, a counselor is the person to see. However, the coaching point of view sees grief as a normal life process, and for a large portion of the population, this ordinary journey does not need a diagnosis. Instead, it requires a person to come alongside and be present with the client as they process their grief.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the point of view of each professional.

Chart of differences between Counseling and Coaching

What is Grief Coaching?

A grief coach is a safe person who offers deep listening to help people release painful emotions when they have lost those they love. A coach partners with clients as they process their grief and find healthy ways to live with their losses. Grieving people are not broken and need fixing; they need compassionate care and safety to feel, say, or do without judgment, shame, self-editing, or masking.

How Can Grief Coaching Help You?

Grief coaching can offer a sacred space to empty the mournful feelings you have bottled up. You can discover how normal, common symptoms disrupt your daily activities. Grief coaching provides safe outlets for your unnamed fears, guilt, anger, and betrayal. Working with a coach gives you an accountability partner and cheerleader, giving necessary social support and increasing grief resiliency.

How Can Cheryl Help You?

If you are grieving, you can get stuck if you believe myths about grief, and Coach Cheryl can help you move forward. Cheryl has the life and educational experience that has helped others learn about what to expect in grief (through her bi-monthly online class) and how to live with their losses in healthy ways (over 100 hours of private coaching). If you want to know what others say, here are her reviews.

Why Should You Hire Cheryl as Your Coach?

If you are ready to actively do your grief work and stop masking your pain with work, addiction, or entertainment, then hire Cheryl. She is passionate, knowledgeable, and compassionate about grief care; those who work with her are grateful they did.

References

Eisenhauer, D., & Hastings, J. V. (2012). Coaching at end of life. Coaching4Clergy.