What is the Difference Between Therapy and Coaching?

Seeking and asking for help is often quite challenging for people, especially when they are unsure of who can best help them.

When going through challenges and changes in life, having someone you can talk to and who can guide you can be extremely helpful.

Most adults turn to therapists or coaches to help them, so let’s figure out which one is right for you.

What is Therapy?

The American Psychological Association defines therapy as “a collaborative treatment based on the relationship between an individual and a psychologist. A psychologist provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who is objective, neutral and nonjudgmental.”

There are also several different approaches to therapy which could vary the experience greatly.

A common approach is to unearth past issues that are causing dysfunction and need healing. Therapy may also focus on repairing past damage and relieving symptoms from the damage.

What is Coaching?

The Certified Coaches Federation defines coaching as “a professional relationship that helps people break through their limitations to achieve extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses, or organizations. The process of coaching encourages clients to deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life through self-discovery and self-empowerment.”

Coaching enhances any area of a person’s life by increasing competence through self-knowledge and discovery. There are many different coaching specializations that focus on particular areas of one’s life. For example, health coaches can help you implement habits for improved health and well-being, whereas a business coach would focus on improving your performance at work.

Coaches typically highlight things that the client is unable to see for themselves through powerful questioning. Then they work with you to shift beliefs and mindsets that are getting in the way of progress.

In most types of coaching, it is about rewiring the brain through insights gained in self-discovery. Then applying specific, evidence-based behavior and motivation theories that support the client in making long-term, sustainable changes.

What’s the Difference Between Therapy and Coaching?

You now know a little more about each, but what are some of the differences you’d see if you went to a therapist versus a coach?

Coaches see people as whole and functioning, while therapists work with dysfunction and mental health issues to diagnose, assess, and treat (typically using the DSM as their regulated guidelines).

A coach is more of a partner with their “client,” not their “patient.”

The relationship between coach/client and therapist/patient is also different in that many patients would not feel comfortable saying “hello” if they saw their therapist in public. This is not the case in coach/client relationship as there is no stigma attached to working with a coach. Of course, coaches value your confidentiality similar to therapists.

Coaching is designed to hold you accountable and also challenge you, whereas therapy is designed to have the patient talk, with occasional “homework” tasks depending on the type of therapy.

Final Thoughts

The coaching industry is seen as unregulated, and this is not necessarily true. There are professional bodies that regulate training with a scope of practice, stringent educational standards, and enforce ethical guidelines. Organizations such as NBHWC (National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches), and ICF (International Coaching Federation) are two of the leading organizations.

It’s important to note that there is certainly an overlap in coaching and therapy as both approaches encourage awareness and insight, and work towards positive changes over time.

Both are also confidential relationships.

If you’re interested in learning more about coaching, I specialize in holistic health coaching and would love to chat! Fill out an inquiry here.

References:

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Therapy. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy.

CCF Definition of Coaching. Certified Coaches Federation. (n.d.). https://certifiedcoachesfederation.com/about/definition-of-coaching/.