Maybe you’ve noticed an increase in people talking about therapy and coaching.
Your partner has a therapist to manage their anxiety.
Your neighbor has a coach to sharpen her leadership skills.
Coach vs. therapist.
A coach guides clients through developing skill sets to reach a clarified goal within a specific timeframe.
Some coaches support clients through any and all life goals and are broadly referred to as a life coach.
Oftentimes, therapy involves analyzing past experiences that help inform or explain current situations.
They diagnose, assess, and provide treatment of mental disorders.
They help clients process and heal from past hurts and trauma.
Therapists also help with crisis intervention or grief counseling."
6 key differences between a life coach and a therapist:
Therapists are state-licensed professionals.
One of the biggest differences between a coach and a therapist is how they’re accredited.
Psychologists who hold doctorate-level degrees such as Ph.D. or Psy.D.
can also choose to work with clients as therapists as well, though state licensing requirements may still apply.
Psychiatrists, who are medical doctors holding an M.D.
and who prescribe medications as part of a client’s treatment plan, may also be called therapists.
“Coaches are present-focused with a future consciousness,” Gozo explains.
Therapists, on the other hand, focus on the past and on mental health, says Melendres.
Clients are given the opportunity to look at what is going on emotionally, psychologically, and interpersonally."
Therapy sessions are generally more open-ended, whereas coaching sessions are more focused.
There is not always a clarified “goal” for the session.
Most coaches will also offer their services for a specific niche.
(Here’s more on thedifferent types of therapythat exist.)
Coaching is usually short term, while therapy is usually long term.
Working with a coach is usually a short-term engagement that can range from one month to one year.
By the end of your coaching sessions, you will likely have made progress toward your clarified goal.
Engaging with therapy, on the other hand, is often a long-term engagement with no specified end date.
That’s because therapy is a practice that seeks to uncover root causes for your distress.
Coaching and therapy have different types of goals.
Goals in coaching are usually based on action and solutions.
Most coaching practices are built on a framework that the coach has developed over time with various clients.
Results using their coaching framework can be replicated for many clients.
These goals are not always action-oriented.
If you’re working with a psychiatrist, medications can also be prescribed to manage mental health issues.
Many therapists take insurance.
The majority of coaches do not.
Funding for these services is an important consideration when evaluating which is right for you.
Out of pocket, sessions can cost anywhere from $75 to $200-plus per session.
You may find therapists and coaches who offer sliding-scale pricing that can accommodate a wider range of budgets.
Their sliding-scale offerings may come with fewer time-slot options or phone-only support.
How to know which one is right for you.
Both coaching and mental health industries are growing.
For coaches, it’s possible for you to start your search onNoomii.
For therapists you’re free to begin your search onPsychology Today,Inclusive Therapists, orTherapy Den.
Most practitioners will offer a free discovery call to assess if there’s a fit.
When to see a therapist.
But the good news is, mental health care isbecoming less stigmatizedand more widely accepted in various communities.
Can a therapist act as a life coach?
Coaching services should be offered under a business entity that does not include therapy.
This protects the public from exploitation, confusion, and potential harm," Melendres adds.
The bottom line.
Both coaching and therapy are tools for self-development.
They provide great opportunities to have a professional guide you through the most challenging obstacles in your life.
