If you’ve been feeling stuck in your life—whether in your career, relationships, personal growth, or just your sense of fulfillment—you may have considered working with a coach. But what is coaching, really? How does it differ from psychotherapy? And why should you invest in working with a coach who has been formally trained by one of the world’s most renowned coaching experts, Martha Beck?
I’m Dr. Kris Boksman, a Clinical Psychologist, and I’m thrilled to be expanding my work to include life coaching as a psychological service available with me at Limestone Clinic Kingston Counselling & Psychotherapy - here in Kingston and online. Having trained with Martha Beck, one of the most respected names in coaching, I’ve added some badass new skills to my repertoire (always learning!) and deepened my understanding of how to guide people toward profound and lasting change.
In this post, we’ll explore:
What coaching is and how it works
The key differences between coaching and psychotherapy
The benefits of working with a professionally trained coach
How you can take the next step toward meaningful transformation
What Is Coaching?
Coaching is a professional relationship designed to help individuals identify and achieve personal or professional goals. Unlike traditional consulting, which often involves direct advice or problem-solving from an expert, coaching is a collaborative process that empowers clients to access their own wisdom, strengths, and solutions.
A skilled coach serves as a guide, asking powerful questions and offering tools to help clients:
Gain clarity on their values, dreams, and goals
Overcome limiting beliefs and self-doubt
Develop actionable strategies for personal and professional growth
Cultivate resilience and confidence
Build habits that lead to a more fulfilling life
Coaching Is About Forward Motion
One of the key principles of coaching is that it’s future-focused. Coaching doesn’t dwell on the past or attempt to "fix" anything. Instead, it’s about helping clients move forward, unlocking their potential, and making choices that align with their deepest values. This is one of my favourite things about coaching and I have personally experienced just as much benefit from coaching as I have in my personal psychotherapy endeavours. Take it from me - coaching is a breath of fresh air and a transformational process.
Coaching vs. Psychotherapy: What’s the Difference?
Many people wonder how coaching differs from psychotherapy, and it’s an important distinction to understand. While both coaching and therapy can be transformational, they serve different purposes.
1. Coaching Is Growth-Oriented, Therapy Is Healing-Oriented
Coaching focuses on growth, self-actualization, and future goals. It’s designed for people who are functioning well but want to improve specific areas of their lives.
Therapy focuses on healing from past wounds, addressing psychological distress, and improving mental health. It’s meant for individuals struggling with emotional difficulties, trauma, or mental illness.
2. Coaching Works with the Present and Future, Therapy Explores the Past
Coaches primarily work with clients in the present and help them move toward a desired future.
Therapists often explore past experiences to help clients understand and resolve current emotional challenges.
3. Coaching Assumes Clients Are Whole, Therapy Addresses Psychological Distress
In coaching, clients are seen as resourceful and whole—capable of finding their own solutions with the right guidance.
In therapy, clients may need deeper support to process pain, trauma, or emotional distress before they can fully engage in self-improvement.
4. Coaching Is Non-Clinical, Therapy Is Clinical
Coaching does not diagnose or treat mental health disorders. If a clinical issue that needs attention is discovered, I have the skills and know-how you need to help you get the right treatment without any delay. But there won't be any annoying therapy mumbo-jumbo if you're really interested to steer clear of it.
Therapy is conducted by licensed professionals who are trained to treat clinical conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. Like me! Coaching can be practiced by anyone. You may have some concerns about this - some coaches are fantastic, others are limited. One of the advantages of working with me is that we can take advantage of the gut-instincts and know-how that I have amassed over (ahem) a good two decades of working in the field of psychotherapy to jump-start and super-fuel your coaching results.
5. Coaching Is More Action-Oriented, Therapy Is Insight-Oriented
Coaching is heavily focused on taking concrete action steps to achieve goals, or to help you figure out what you want your goals to be (if you're not quite there yet).
Therapy often involves deep reflection, emotional processing, and insight-building. In good coaching it is entirely possible that you may get some of this, too ;)
While coaching and therapy are different, they can be complementary. Many people who have completed therapy and feel ready to focus on their personal growth find coaching to be a powerful next step. But many people feel really clear that they don't need therapy - and it's good to focus on what you know you need. I'm here for both. I got you, boo.
Why Work With a Professionally Trained Coach?
Not all coaches are created equal. Coaching is an unregulated field, meaning that anyone can call themselves a "coach" without formal training. That’s why it’s crucial to work with a coach who has undergone rigorous, evidence-based training from a reputable institution. I am already experienced in providing professional health care services and you won't get any newbie mistakes from me.
Training with Martha Beck: A Gold Standard in Coaching
I’ve trained directly with Martha Beck, one of the world’s leading life coaches and a best-selling author known for her transformative work in personal development. Martha Beck’s coaching approach is grounded in:
Neuroscience and behavioral psychology
The latest and most effective tools to propel clients toward where they want to go
Mind-body alignment and intuition
Deep questioning techniques that help clients access their true desires
Practical tools for lasting change
By working with a coach trained in this methodology, you’re not just getting someone who listens and nods—you’re getting someone who knows how to help you break through limitations, align with your purpose, and create meaningful change in your life. And who couldn't benefit from that?!
The Benefits of Engaging in Life Coaching
So why should you invest in life coaching? Here are some of the powerful benefits:
1. Clarity and Direction
If you’ve been feeling uncertain about your path—whether in your career, relationships, or personal growth—coaching helps you gain clarity on what truly matters to you and how to move forward.
2. Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
Many of us carry subconscious beliefs that hold us back. Coaching helps identify and reframe these beliefs so they no longer stand in your way. This is where some of the most powerful work occurs - I can attest to this, personally. You better watch out! I'm not going to let any stinkin thinkin keep you from the life you want to live.
3. Confidence and Empowerment
By working with a coach, you develop a stronger sense of confidence and self-trust, allowing you to take bold steps toward your goals.
4. Accountability and Motivation
A coach helps you stay on track, offering both encouragement and gentle challenges when needed.
5. Tools and Strategies for Success
You’ll walk away with actionable tools and strategies that help you make lasting changes. While having you as my coaching client forever sounds lovely, this isn't the way I work - that's called an "evergreen" model and unscrupulous people like this model because the client becomes dependent on the coach. I want to teach you everything I know so that you can do this stuff on your own. This way I get to help more people and you get to save money and feel independent and badass. Win-win!
6. Mind-Body Integration
Coaching with a Martha Beck-trained professional incorporates mindfulness and body-based techniques that help you access deeper wisdom beyond just logic and analysis. This is one of the super-boosters in my coaching skillset I can't wait to share with you.
Is Coaching Right for You?
Coaching is an incredible investment in yourself, but it’s not for everyone. You might be ready for coaching if:
✅ You feel stuck and want to make meaningful changes in your life
✅ You’re high-functioning but feel like something is missing
✅ You’re ready to take responsibility for your growth
✅ You want a structured yet flexible approach to achieving your goals
✅ You’re open to new perspectives and willing to take action
On the other hand, if you’re currently dealing with significant emotional distress, unresolved trauma, or a mental health condition, therapy may be a better first step before engaging in coaching. The great news is that Limestone Clinic Kingston has you covered for that, too. With vetted therapists who have skills and the personalities to go with it and make them fun to meet with, well, we're awesome! I am confident you will be a believer, too.
With Life Coaching, You Can Open The Next Chapter....
If you’re ready to step into your fullest potential, I’d love to support you on your journey. As both a Clinical Psychologist and a professionally trained Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coach, I offer a unique blend of experience, classical tools, no-BS communication style, badassery, insight, strategy, to translate into your deep transformational work.
✨ Want to explore whether coaching is right for you? Let’s connect! Book a consultation to learn more about how coaching can help you create the life you truly want.
🔗 Click here to connect with us online - Kingston's Best Mental Health Therapy and Counselling Choice - and now Life Coaching, too! Want to talk to a human to get started even faster? Call us at 613-877-4148.
You don’t have to stay stuck. Your best life is waiting—and coaching can help you get there. 🚀 To infinity & beyond!!!
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