Life Coaching: A View from Buddhist Psychotherapy and Counseling

Abstract

     This article aims to understand the essence of life coaching through the perspective of Buddhism in psychotherapy and counseling. The term “Psychotherapy and Buddhist Counseling” is a combination between concepts of both Buddhism and the principles of psychotherapy and counseling in Western
psychology. The goal is to adjust behaviors and thinking in order to move the realm of the patients. Psychotherapy and Buddhist counseling can be conducted in 5 ways:- 1) 3-steps of  TIR; 2) psychotherapy based on the Four Noble Truths; 3) being supportive and not intrusive, based on the principle of the Four Brahmavihāras; 4) using the 3 Worlds and 31 existences principle as a map for traveling; 5) Ability to avoid certain types of questions.
     Even though life coaching is widely popular in Thai society, and is a phenomenon in a new form of psychological counseling that many Thai people are interested in. But still it may be something new for Thai people. Some of the cases that illustrate the blemish of transparency that triggered the public’s fervor of doubt on the behaviors and ambiguity of the Life Coach itself are now common in Thai society. These are valuable lessons for all professional life coaches including new comer life coaches that will continue to occur with quality in Thai society.