Therapy vs. Coaching

Thanks to the urging of my longtime client…I’m answering this burning question that gets posed so often. Now, it’s here, once and for all, on the interwebs, for all to reference from now until the end of days…

Question: What is the difference between coaching and therapy (aka why would I bother spending more for a coach—who ALSO doesn’t take insurance—than a licensed medical professional)?!

MY answer (as many others may have different opinions on the matter):

To front-load this, let me clarify a few things that are important to know…

My mother was a psychologist, and my father was an integrative dentist with several specialties, licensed with both eastern and western doctorates.

I’ve been a recipient of therapy since the age of 5. I’ve worked with more than 20 different psychologists and psychiatrists throughout my life to treat everything from anxiety to depression to addiction to panic disorder—just to name a few.

No amount of therapy came close to moving the needle the way my first coach did (who, by the way, is STILL coaching me).

That said, here is my take on the key differences between coaching and therapy…

Therapy is hierarchical vs. Coaching is collaborative

Therapy is based on a diagnostic model. This means your therapist has the goal and responsibility to “assess” you and determine a course of treatment. The therapist is the “expert,” and they hold the agenda. Coaching is based on a partnership model. This means your coach has the intention of “understanding” you and co-creating an action plan. In the coaching model, YOU, the client, are the “expert,” and we are holding your agenda for progression.

Therapy is about the past vs. Coaching is about the future

Therapy focuses primarily on causality—where your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors stem from. It focuses on gaining insights from prior experiences by revisiting and examining them. Coaching uses an effectiveness approach—where your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are leading you. It focuses on making change and tracking measurable results to create improvement in your life. Ultimately, therapy is looking for the past problem, and coaching is looking for the future solution.

Therapy is highly regulated vs. Coaching is less regulated

Therapists are highly regulated and limited in their ability to use a wide range of approaches. Their licensure binds them to ethical duties and restricts being multi-disciplinary. Coaches have more freedom to incorporate a variety of practices therapists can’t, such as consulting, advising, creating accountability frameworks, having non-therapeutic environments (such as workshops, retreats), sharing personal experiences, trying cutting-edge methods, and helping clients build networks. Coaches can also do all this without geographical limitations, as they aren’t held to government-regulated location-based service laws.

Therapy is a structured relationship vs. Coaching is a fluid relationship

A therapist is legally bound to uphold a “clinical,” regulated, and formal relationship with their patients. They’re prohibited from dual relationships that could upset the power balance. Coaches, on the other hand, are able to have a more dynamic relationship with their clients. They can play several roles to serve in multiple capacities that support a client-centered approach. This is also why working with therapists often happens on a strict hourly/weekly schedule, whereas coaches hold an open-door policy to communicate with clients between sessions.

Therapy is based in required training vs. Coaching is based in elected training

This is where things get tricky!! Yes, there are legal requirements for certification and licensing as a therapist. What you may not know is, that doesn’t always make someone a great therapist! And, what you also may not be aware of is…some coaches are more trained than some therapists out there. And in theories and practices that may actually be more beneficial for you. It’s not that coaches don’t have therapeutic training; they just chose to use it in another—less limited—fashion. Truth is…many therapists are becoming coaches for the reasons listed above and more. Both approaches serve—this is about leveling the playing field—one isn’t better than the other as a general statement—this is highly individualized.

Ultimately, the psychology industry is about 100 years old, and the coaching industry is less than half that. Both are relatively new in the grand scheme of our history. That said, the growth of the coach-approach is RAPID! 

I hope you take away that there are plenty of frogs and princes out there—with therapists and coaches alike! You have to do your due diligence! Some therapists are a small fortune, while others are sliding scale. Some coaches charge astronomical prices, while others are donation-based. Whether they are just starting out or have been at it for decades, some therapists are AMAZING, while others just fall flat—and the same is true with coaches! In the end, finding someone phenomenal who can TRULY help you is—imho—necessary and priceless.

Hope that squares things up! Here for you…always.

Fiercest love,

Alexis

BIG P.S. ~ The KEY here is knowing what you are going for! There is NO replacement for therapeutic intervention when it comes to mental health crises or disorders. Coaching is for high-functioning, high-achieving individuals. This doesn’t mean that a coach can’t help you navigate emotions or work through mental limitations, but it does mean that coaches are not able to diagnose or treat psychological concerns that endanger the welfare of you or others.