Hi.

My name is Jim Michael. I’m a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, in other words, a Psychotherapist. I’m also a Life Coach. I help people make change in their lives, from the inside out. And it’s my personal mission to empower people to transform their lives.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE between a Psychiatrist, a Psychologist, and a Psychotherapist? (Good Question).

Freedom to choose your own course--click to enlarge

A PSYCHIATRIST is a Medical Doctor who specializes in Mental Health issues. He or she is the person who prescribes medicine such as Prozac, Wellbutrin, and the like. Often a psychotherapist will refer a client to a Psychiatrist for a client’s medications. It’s the Psychiatrist who generally prescribes the medicines, without doing the therapy and sessions are very short.

A PSYCHOLOGIST has obtained his or her doctorate (PH.D or Psy.D) and while he or she may do counseling with clients, more often a Psychologist will do Psychological testing for personality traits, symptoms of (A.D.H.D.) and things like that. A Psychologist cannot prescribe medicine.

A PSYCHOTHERAPIST (A Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)) (also known as a Therapist) has obtained his or her Master’s Degree, generally in Counseling Psychology, and does counseling with individuals couples, groups and/or families. A Psychotherapist cannot prescribe medicine.

A LIFE COACH is someone who is skilled at motivating people towards goals/dreams, and no “emotional” or “childhood” stuff is talked about. A Coach is “forward” thinking. S/he will see where I’m at now, and where I want to be. The coach with “co create” a plan with the coaching client to help that client attain the goal. It CAN happen that when seeking goals, emotional patterns and psychological issues come up, in that case it’s important to talk to a Therapist, a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist as  a Life Coach may not have the training to help with these deeper issues.

Which to choose, therapy or coaching?

Sometimes we could use a good kick in the ass pants to get us going, moving towards our goals, our dreams. Someone to hold us accountable, to kick us into gear, to build a habit. A Life Coach is a good choice in that case.

Sometimes we have problems or issues that are tough to live with, sometimes we can get so upset with something or something that we just don’t want to go there or we just don’t want to see that person…it could even affect our wanting to go to work. The truth is, even what seems to be the smallest issues may be affecting how fully we live and express our lives. If something like this is happening in your life, seeing a therapist might be of help.

It’s my intention to provide a space in which you feel safe, and comfortable enough to for you to truly express what’s on your mind, and in your heart, so that you can clear the way to live more fully.

I invite each person to explore his or her choices, to know that you have choices, and to express those feelings that you may have had some reluctance to express in the past. Together, we’ll explore those feelings safely, and find resolution.