Therapy or Coaching – Which Way to Go
I’m often asked to explain the difference between therapy and coaching, so let’s take a moment to define each. While both services are designed to and focused on helping you get to a better place than what you may be feeling now, there is a difference between approaches.
Mental Health Therapists | Counselors | Psychologists
According to Business and Professions Code Section 4980.02 (effective January 1, 2022), the practice of therapy and marriage and family therapy shall mean:
The application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories, principles, and methods in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, or groups in order to assess evaluate, and treat relational issues, emotional disorders, behavioral problems, mental illness, alcohol and substance use, and to modify intrapersonal and interpersonal behaviors.
Therapists, Counselors and Psychologists are trained, supervised, and required to take a State/National exam to be qualified to identify and treat a range of mental health illnesses - depression, anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar, etc. - that affect a person’s social, emotional, relational, educational, and/or occupational functioning. Some therapists, counselors, and psychologists gain additional certifications to specialize in areas such as trauma, eating disorders, substance abuse, and more. All are licensed and held to a high ethical standard regulated by the State. For the rest of this short description the name “Therapists” will apply to counselors and psychologists.
Often therapy focuses on clients’ past experiences, patterns of thoughts, feelings and beliefs, traumas, and mental health symptoms. Therapists also help clients address their present concerns and future goals as either returning to, maintaining, and/or seeking an improvement to an appropriate level of functioning in one or multiple areas of their lives. There are a multitude of theory-based approaches and techniques that therapists call upon to help clients meet their therapeutic goals. Much focus is placed on assisting clients in identifying their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions. Clients learn to detect and change negative thinking patterns; identify and regulate emotions; recognize, explore, and challenge faulty belief systems, and honestly discover and address self-destructive and disruptive behaviors. In doing so, clients learn, practice, and use new coping skills and strategies to reduce their mental health symptoms and increase their ability to think positively, feel happier, and more satisfied in their day-to-day life.
The rapport and trust between therapists and clients is extremely important and is considered part of the therapeutic process. Talk therapy includes a treatment plan with goals and objectives that are co-created by the clients and the therapists. Therapists keep therapy notes to track clients’ progress. Treatment plans are reviewed often to make sure that services are medically necessary and that clients are progressing in their therapy goals. Most sessions are 50-60 minutes and can be done in person or via Telehealth. The duration of therapy can be short-term (1-3 months), mid-range (3-6 months) or long-term (longer than 6 months). Some therapists accept insurance while others only accept self-pay from clients. Sessions can be for individuals, couples, family, and in group settings depending on the needs of the clients and the services that the therapist offers. Therapists often work in conjunction with Psychiatrists to refer clients for medication management if the serious mental health symptoms are severe and warrant a second opinion and care. Some clients request additional medical care for their mental health management.
Therapists assist clients in identifying and managing mental health concerns and diagnoses. The therapeutic relationship between therapists and clients is a partnership, both having responsibilities for the therapeutic progress. Therapists serve as guides, teachers, counselors, and supportive allies for clients. The primary duty of a mental health professional is to provide a safe, non-judgement, compassionate, and empathetic space for clients to identify and explore a range of troubling mental and emotional issues – past and present- and to provide evidence-based treatment for any mental health conditions.
While therapists are licensed and provide mental health treatment for individuals with diagnosed mental illnesses that are affecting their functioning in one or more areas of their lives, Life Coaches (and other specified coaches – financial, health, leadership, etc.) provide specific goal-oriented services that are not healthcare-related.
Life Coaching and other Coaching Branches
Life coaching and other coaching specialties have recently increased in popularity. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) says the number of coaches estimated worldwide has grown by 33% from 53,300 to 71,000 since 2015. The average age of life coaches is 40+ years old, which represents 33% of the population. The ICF defines coaching and coaches as:
Coaching is the future-focused practice of partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential …
A coach is responsible for discovering, clarifying, and aligning with what the client wants to achieve; encouraging client self-discovery; eliciting client-generated solutions and strategies; and holding the clients responsible and accountable for meeting goals and creating outcomes.
You can find coaches for most areas in life, but I feel I need to add a “buyer beware” caution here. Unlike therapists, coaches are not required to have training (a specific degree or education), have their skills assessed and tested or maintain a State or National licensure. The coaching industry is not required to comply with HIPAA or mandatory reporting requirements. Legally, coaches are prohibited in delving into the past, providing a cure to a mental illness, or relieving mental and/or emotional suffering. While not licensed, some coaches are accredited by national or international organizations. There are quality coaches out there that are professional and committed to providing ethical quality practices, just kick the tires before you buy (but don't kick the coach).
The above disclaimer isn’t to say that all therapists are excellent therapists or that therapy is better than coaching, instead it is only highlighted here to encourage individuals seeking guidance to be aware of the person’s knowledge, abilities, and limitations in providing the help you are seeking and to be an educated consumer for yourself, your team, or your organization. Be aware and be safe.
Most coaches choose a niche area to focus on with their clients. Some of the popular Life coaching areas are: Executive/Leadership, Relationship, Parent/Child/Family and Peak Performance Coaching. As briefly mentioned earlier there are other specific areas that provide specific coaching guidance such as health, career, and financing. Coaching can be individually, or group based. Corporations will hire coaches to improve productivity, implement wellness programs, and expand leadership skills. Coaches are focused on the present concerns as they are related to future desired outcomes in specific targets. Coaches can help individuals, teams, and organizations create a vision for their life, department, or company. Although the focus of the following article was on athletic coaching, it can be applied to life coaching as well.
According to the University of the Cumberlands website, the 9 Quintessential Life Lessons Taught By Coaches article includes:
Leveraging personal strengths
Preparation pays off
Organization and time management are essential
Healthy habits make a difference
The value of grit
Knowing your limits
Learning independence and personal responsibility
Acknowledging and regulating emotions
Having fun is a valid goal
Coaching is designed to guide and encourage clients through challenges in personal, career, and other specific areas a client may be experiencing "in the moment". Coaches work with clients to specify and define current problematic behaviors so that the client may learn new skills or strategies to modify these behaviors. Some problems that coaches work with clients on include:
You don’t know where to go in life
You are looking for a new career path or what to do after you retire
You are stuck on achieving a specific goal
You don’t have any goals in life
You feel like something is missing in your life and you just can’t put your figure on it
The coaching industry is a type of wellness profession that helps clients make progress in their lives to attain greater fulfillment. Coaches need to have excellent communication skills such as active listening. A general nonjudgmental approach and practice with their clients is critical while they support their clients in improving their day-to-day lives. Coaches will teach skills, strategies, and co-create action plans that center on the actualization of their clients’ stated ambitions, outcomes, and goals. Coaches will hold clients accountable for their own progress through homework, direct milestones, and outcomes.
Most life coaches charge by the hour or by package deals and require a minimum number of sessions (usually 3-6) to help individuals achieve their goals. Most sessions last for 45-60 minutes; however, this is up to the coach and client to decide session length based on the current needs. For time-critical goals, the rule of thumb is for clients to meet with their coach once a week or possibly twice a week to address the issue at hand. Getting momentum in making life changes is key in setting and meeting specific goals. The coaching cycle is generally 8-12 sessions per issue. Coaches are not allowed to bill health insurance companies, offer the breadth of care and services provided by therapists, or diagnose or treat mental health conditions.
Therapists vs Coaches
In comparison, as mentioned, therapists are educated and trained in the mental health field, licensed to practice in specific States and are regulated by State Boards. Therapists can only see clients in the State that they are licensed in. Coaches are not required to be educated, trained, or licensed to conduct coaching services. Some coaches get accreditation by national or international organizations to increase the skills and quality of coaching services. Coaches are not limited to where they can conduct sessions. Therapists provide mental health services, coaches do not. Therapists can diagnose and treat mental illnesses, coaches cannot. Therapy is usually a longer process than the coaching process. Therapists can bill insurance companies if they are paneled by the insurance company or collect self-pay from clients. Coaches cannot bill insurance and are out-of-pocket pay only. Therapists can provide coaching, coaches can not provide therapy. Both professions are client-focused and dedicated to helping clients achieve results.
In summary, clients seek both coaches and therapists to work on issues and on themselves. Those who attend therapy generally want to heal past traumas and manage their mental health challenges. Clients who hire coaches want to achieve certain specific goals or work on their mindsets. Both therapy and coaching include nonjudgement encouragement and goal setting in their practices.
How Do I know which one to choose?
If you have a diagnosed mental illness and are currently dealing with active symptoms, then therapy is your best choice. If you don’t have a mental health diagnosis or have a diagnosed mental disorder and have successfully participated in therapy in the past, are confident in your coping skills and strategies, are not actively having mental health diagnosis symptoms and you have a specific goal in mind (i.e., changing careers) then coaching may be a good choice for you.
I hope this helps clear up any questions you may have had about the difference between therapy and coaching services. I look forward to assisting you on your sacred journey through the therapy process to address your concerns and to assist you in making the necessary changes your desire.
Hope to see you soon,
Karen
Karen Hanson, MS, M.Ed., LMHCSacred Journey Counseling, LLC 904-419-38282107 Hendricks Ave, Suite 3Jacksonville, FL 32207 www.counseling-sacredjourney.com