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.

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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. 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. Again, this is a generalization. Some therapy doesn't look at the past, and some coaches process past memories & experiences. It's confusing, I know! But this is a general delineation. 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 involves "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 when in that 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.

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Additionally, therapy and coaching are also different professional relationships. Therapy carries a level of legal confidentiality that coaching does not; coaching is contractually confidential (not bound by law). Coaching is also not a substitute for therapy. If you're navigating a diagnosable mental health condition, therapy is the place to start.

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So that the frame stays clear for both of us, I don't provide therapy and coaching services to the same person at the same time. 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. You can use the links below find out more, or you can reach out to me using my website contact form or email me at info@samuelshin.co.