Coaching vs. Therapy: What are the Differences?
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In many ways, life coaching and therapy can seem similar. Committing to one or both can help improve your life, bring you clarity, and help you to function at a higher, healthier level. But what are the differences between coaching vs therapy? Which one is the most appropriate for your current situation? And how do you choose?
Here are some key differences and similarities between life coaches and therapists to help you decide which is right for you.
What is the Difference Between Life Coaching and Therapy?
There are a few ways that coaches and therapists are fundamentally different. This can best be understood by looking at the focus, objectives, and anatomy of a therapy session, versus a coaching session.
In the simplest terms, therapy is designed to identify and treat mental illness that disrupts a client’s productivity, relationships, or ability to participate in daily life. Coaching, on the other hand, is meant to help people who are already performing well build mental-fitness and excel in a specific area, such as emotionally, professionally, socially, or physically.
Differences in focus
Therapy tends to focus on the past to improve the present. It often takes a deep dive into your past problems, experiences, and traumas, aiming to heal and accept them in order to improve habits, relationships, and feelings in the present and moving forward. It focuses on discovering why certain behaviors occur.
The coaching process begins by meeting the client where they currently are, by focusing on the present, while looking toward the future. Rather than delving into the past, a coach will objectively identify and define any current roadblocks and work to remove them. The work is focused on figuring out how to most efficiently work toward a goal.
Differences in Objectives
Simply put, the goal of a therapist is to restore a client to optimal mental health. Much like a physical doctor, therapists treat mental illnesses in order to help a client become healthy again and able to fully participate in their lives.
The objective of a coach is more specific and focuses on helping a client achieve a clearly identified goal or goals in order to level up in a certain area or areas of their life.
Differences in a Session
A therapy session can be somewhat unstructured. Many therapists encourage the client to take the lead. A therapist employs different methodologies and treatment styles to gently guide the session, rather than taking control of its direction.
A coaching session will be much more structured, with the coach guiding the client toward success using actionable strategies and looking for specific behavioral outcomes as evidence of visible, measurable progress toward a goal.
Similarities Between Coaching and Therapy
Despite all of this, there are several similarities between coaching and therapy, and either, or even both in combination, can help you achieve a better, happier life. Both work to minimize emotional discomfort and guide you to set meaningful goals that enhance your life.
There’s often overlap in strategies, as well. A coach may borrow some therapeutically based strategies to help clients move forward, and therapists may employ goal-focused coaching strategies to aid in their process.
Most importantly, a trained professional, whether a therapist or a coach, should be able to help you exist in a better place than you were in when you first sought their help.
How to Decide Between Coaching and Therapy
To determine whether you should hire a coach or a therapist, it’s important to realistically assess the current state of your life and mental health. If you believe you may be suffering from mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, or any other lasting condition that hinders your ability to participate in or enjoy daily life, you might consider working with a therapist. This sort of work will help restore your mental health and get you back to full functionality.
If you feel you’re already doing pretty well in the day-to-day but feel stuck in a certain area of your life, a coach might be a better choice. A coach can help you break free from whatever is holding you back from your goals and expedite the process of moving forward.
It should be noted that coaching and therapy can be successfully used in tandem. For example, you might go to therapy first to address any mental health issues. This puts you in optimal shape to benefit from the goal-oriented process of coaching. Alternately, you could see a therapist and life coach concurrently, working with a therapist on unraveling and understanding your past, and a coach to focus on your present. Both will help you confidently move toward the future.
Finding the Right Life Coach
Once you’ve decided to seek the help of a life coach, the process of choosing the right one begins. A coach-client relationship is a very personal relationship, and finding the right coach is an important decision that can impact your future.
Look for proof
Any coach can talk the talk, but do they have the receipts to back it up? When seeking a life coach, look for any evidence that supports their claims of success. Do they have a body of work to back up their approach?
Search for any books, podcasts, or publications a coach has published that support their methods and ideologies. If they haven’t published work, find out what sorts of publications they draw from and base their work around. Learn whether they teach or guest lecture at any universities, conferences, or conventions, and watch any available footage.
Read testimonials and success stories on their website or a review page, like the ones Jonette Dyer proudly displays on her website. These provide important insight to client-coach relationships and confirm that a coach’s services are effective. You can also seek recommendations for coaches from people you trust, like family, friends, and coworkers.
Look for specialization
Coaching is goal motivated. Be sure to choose a coach that specializes in the type of goal you want to achieve. A life coach can be specialized in career goals, wellness, stress, grief, or other areas. Having a coach that understands your specific goal is paramount.
Look for compatibility
Life coaches, like athletic coaches, have different ways to motivate, push, and inspire. It’s important to find a coach whose approach and coaching services resonate with you, and to which you’ll respond.
Jonette Dyer’s approach is to provide insightful reflection, feedback, and an opportunity to examine your thinking. She aims to actively listen without judgement, providing open-minded support through thought-provoking questions and gentle but targeted guidance. To begin changing your life,
start your journey with Jonette today.
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