Therapy vs. Coaching
Therapy vs. Coaching
Which is right for you?
Therapy and coaching have some similarities, which can make figuring out which is right for you challenging. There are, however, some fundamental differences that might help guide your decision on what you need. Let me try to demystify this process for you.
In general, therapy is a medical model focused on diagnosing and treating mental illness or disorders. Coaching is a functional model geared towards goals, behavioral change and forward progress. Again, pretty much all therapy involves goals, behavioral change and progress, but the start & end point are based on the presence and absence of mental illness.
Therapy is also focused on the past while coaching is future-oriented. Because of my background as a therapist, my coaching process does involve looking at blocks in your life that might come from your past, but only insofar as it moves us closer to your future goals & self.
My coaching does involve "healing" work, but in a specific way: we focus on building self-awareness and clearing the emotional stress & old patterns that get in the way of your relationships & life. We aren't looking to treat a condition.
While I am a licensed therapist, I am acting strictly as a coach in the role. This means our work is not a medical service, and I will not be providing a clinical diagnosis, treating mental illness or utilizing insurance.
Finally, therapy and coaching are also different professional relationships. Therapy carries a level of confidentiality that coaching does not, and coaching isn't a substitute for therapy: if you're navigating a diagnosable mental health condition, therapy is the place to start.
I also don't provide both services to the same person at the same time, so the frame stays clear for both of us. If something comes up in our coaching work that seems like it needs therapeutic support, I'll name that and we can talk about options.
If you're still not sure which one fits what you're working through, that's exactly the kind of question worth bringing to a consultation call.