What’s the Difference Between Coaching and Therapy

Collaboration with Mind By Design, LLC

Understanding the Differences between Professional Coaching & Therapy

I was so incredibly thankful to team up with my colleague Rebecca Sidoti to put this article out into the world!

Ever wondered about the real differences between coaching and therapy? With my dual roles as both a therapist and a coach, I find myself in the unique position to answer this question. Join Rebecca and me in a Q&A session where we break it down and differentiate coaching from therapy and which transformative practice will be best for you. Ready to dive in and enjoy the ride? Let's do this!

Q1: What is the difference between a coach and a therapist?

This is a question that many people struggle with as it can be confusing to differentiate the roles of therapists and coaches. There are likely many coaches and therapists who will have different opinions on this question however I like to keep it simple for my clients. Ultimately as a clinician and coach, it comes down to my ability to differentiate when a coaching session starts to veer into therapeutic territory and vice versa and setting clear expectations from the beginning. 

A coach is someone who primarily focuses on the present and future, helping clients set and achieve specific goals. Coaches work with folks to enhance their performance, develop skills, overcome obstacles, and create action plans for success. 

A therapist on the other hand focuses on the past, present, and future to help folks explore and resolve emotional and psychological stressors. Therapy can dive into deep-rooted patterns, beliefs, and traumas that coaches may not explore as they may not have the training to do so. Therapists diagnose and treat mental health conditions and use various therapeutic modalities to facilitate healing and growth.

Q2:How can clients decide between working with a therapist and working with a coach?

Clients can decide between working with a therapist or a coach by considering their specific needs and goals. If they are primarily seeking support for personal growth, goal-setting, and improving performance, working with a coach may be the best choice. On the other hand, if they are dealing with emotional or psychological issues, past traumas, or mental health concerns, seeking therapy with a qualified therapist is recommended.

It's important for clients to assess their desired outcomes and consider whether they require support in addressing deeper emotional issues or focused guidance for specific goals. If someone isn’t sure, a good, qualified coach can help a client to determine whether their specific needs might warrant a higher level of service - this is why it’s so important to research and ask a coach about their training and background. 

Q3: What are some things clients can consider when deciding between a coach and a Therapist?

When deciding between a coach and a therapist, clients can consider the following: 

• Goals and Focus:

  • Determine if the primary need is personal growth, skill development, and goal attainment (coaching), or addressing emotional/psychological issues and mental health concerns (therapy).

    
    
    

• Time Orientation: 

  • Assess whether the situation requires short-term goal-oriented support (coaching) or long-term exploration of underlying issues (therapy).

    
    
    

• Training and Qualifications: 

  • Consider the qualifications, certifications, and experience of the coach or therapist to ensure they have the necessary expertise in the specific area of focus.

    
    
    

• Scope of Practice: 

  • Understand the limitations and boundaries of each profession. Coaches cannot diagnose or treat mental health conditions, while therapists are trained to address psychological issues.

• Professional Guidance: 

  • Seek recommendations, read reviews, or consult with professionals in the field to gather insights and make an informed decision based on individual needs.

    
    
    

• Personal Comfort:

  • Consider personal preferences and comfort levels. Some individuals may feel more at ease discussing personal matters with a therapist, while others may prefer the action-oriented approach of a coach.

    
    
    

By considering these factors, clients can make an informed decision and choose the professional whose expertise aligns best with their specific needs and desired outcomes.

Q4: What types of things do you work on with your coaching clients?

KINDfulness Coaching specializes in helping women dealing with stress, overwhelm, and anxiety to discover a sense of calm and productivity in both their personal and professional lives. By assisting clients in identifying priorities, setting boundaries, and boosting motivation, we aim to simplify their lifestyles. As a result, our clients report improved work-life balance, reduced guilt in family matters due to increased time, higher energy levels, and a greater sense of fulfillment from prioritizing their own well-being and personal growth.

Q5: What do you feel is the biggest difference in your style as a coach versus your style as a therapist?

This is a tough one! I always strive to be authentic and let my personality shine in both settings while building a strong rapport with my clients. In coaching sessions, I tend to be more relaxed and open, sharing personal experiences more freely than in therapy.

The most significant difference lies in the expectations in and after each session. In therapy, we often delve into the root causes of a client's feelings and thoughts, which may take multiple sessions to unpack. On the other hand, coaching is highly solution-focused, where we immediately work on action plans and strategies to achieve goals. As a coach, I act as a supportive guide, ensuring progress and accountability, and empowering clients to tackle challenges and move forward swiftly.

Q6: What are the different styles of coaching and/or different approaches?

Coaching encompasses various specialties, much like therapy. Coaches can have a broad focus, such as life, health, or career coaching, or they might specialize in very specific niches, such as, supporting parents of children aged 5-12 with ADHD. If you are looking for a specific coach, a quick google search will bring up many different options. 

Q7: Do you think there is any benefit in therapists and coaches working together? If so, what would those benefits be?

Absolutely, I love working with clients who are also working with a therapist. There are many benefits which can include: 

Therapists and coaches bring different skill sets and perspectives. By working together, they can address both the emotional/psychological aspects (therapist) and the goal-setting/action-oriented aspects (coach) of a client's journey, providing more comprehensive and potentially holistic support.

If a client has completed therapy and wants to focus on personal growth and goal attainment, a coach can help them smoothly transition by building upon the progress made in therapy and guiding them towards their desired outcomes.

Therapists can refer clients to coaches when they have specific goals that require focused guidance and action plans. Coaches can provide accountability, motivation, and support to help clients achieve those goals.

Coaches working alongside therapists can provide feedback on clients' progress outside of therapy sessions. This collaboration allows for a more accurate assessment of how clients are implementing therapeutic insights and strategies in their everyday lives.

Coaches can provide ongoing support to clients after they have completed therapy, helping them maintain and build upon the progress made while continuing to work towards personal and professional growth.

It's important for therapists and coaches to have clear communication and collaboration protocols in place to ensure the client's well-being and avoid potential overlaps or conflicts in their roles.

Q8: Do you think there are any pitfalls of therapists and coaches working together? If so,what would those be?

Yes! If the roles of the therapist and coach are not clearly defined, there may be confusion about the scope of practice and professional boundaries. This can lead to overlap or conflicting guidance, causing confusion and potential harm to the client.

Therapists and coaches have different ethical guidelines and responsibilities. It's essential to ensure that both professionals adhere to their respective ethical standards and maintain client confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries.

Not all therapists and coaches are experienced or trained in working collaboratively. It's important to ensure that both professionals have the necessary skills, training, and experience in integrating their approaches effectively

Effective communication and coordination between the therapist and coach are crucial. Without clear and open lines of communication, important information about the client's progress, challenges, and needs may be missed, leading to ineffective or conflicting support.

In some cases, clients may become overly dependent on both the therapist and coach, seeking support without developing self-reliance or coping skills. This can hinder the client's long-term growth and self-sufficiency.

To mitigate these pitfalls, therapists and coaches should establish clear roles and responsibilities, maintain open communication, and ensure that the client's well-being and best interests remain the priority. Collaboration between professionals should be based on shared goals, mutual respect, and a commitment to providing comprehensive and ethical support.

Not Sure What’s Right for You… Coaching or Therapy?

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