Coaching V Therapy Explained

A phrase I hear very often from new clients when they contact me is "I am not sure whether I need Coaching or Therapy"?

As any professional Coach knows, our training and ethics code means we need to not only be able to explain the difference, but we are also bound by our ethics code to not work with clients who are seeking Coaching but may need therapy instead.

Firstly let's look at the similarities:

Both involve a relationship between the client and professional with a view to overcoming some personal problem or improving the clients life in some way.

In either discipline, the clients view of the world and mindset are central to change.

Generally, both disciplines adopt a person-centered, client-led approach.

Reflective listening is a key element.

Both are classed as "talking therapies" & understand how humans think, act & feel from a psychological perspective.

Both require a level of trust between the two people involved.

Either can be adapted to group Therapy / Coaching.

KEY DIFFERENCES:

Coaching is intended to be a short-term relationship (an average of 6-9 sessions is the norm), whereas Therapy can last for years.

Coaching is very future focused, Therapy tends to explore the past.

In a nutshell, take for example a person who wants to learn to drive but is afraid of it. A Therapist will help the client to understand where in their past the fear came from, and examine it.

The Coach will focus on helping the client build their confidence in the present so they can take small steps towards getting into the car. I would say that this is the most important difference.

A Coach is not focused on exploring childhood trauma for example, that is the role of a Therapist.

Coaches are however specialists in helping clients set & achieve goals, make positive changes, overcome limitations etc. by creating strategies in the present that will shape the clients future.

COACHING ACCREDITATION:

Currently Coaching is an unregulated profession, as were Counselling & Therapy when they emerged. This means that unfortunately anyone can call themselves a "Coach" without having any formal training.

Professional Coaches however will have trained at a reputable academy whose qualifications meet international accreditation standards. In essence this means that when hiring a Coach, the client should ask where the Coach trained and then examine that school. Standards vary greatly so it's worth investing in a Coach who has invested in quality training.

Of course there is nothing wrong with someone using the term "Coach" in a different area. An example would be a former tennis champion coaching players. If someone has the skills and experience to help others to achieve their goals, they absolutely can call themselves a Coach. Again, it's up to the client to be discerning and inquire about their Coaches training and background.

THE COACHING TOOLKIT:

Coaches in training will be encouraged to develop their own "tool-kit" and to continue to add to it throughout their professional lives. This means that Coaches will often use techniques & strategies from other disciplines such as; mindfulness, meditation, NLP, CBT, other forms of Therapy, positive psychology, holistic health & more. Some Coaches will mix other qualifications & / or experience with Coaching to enhance their toolkit. In my case for example I fuse my professional Coaching diploma with years of experience as a Careers Advisor, studies of business & marketing, qualifications in NLP, Confidence Coaching, Yoga, a lifelong interest in psychology etc. into my toolkit. The toolkit is always expanding & evolving and in 2024 I am completing further training in NLP & CBT which I will integrate into my work.

Another thing to look for in a Coach is how committed they are to their CPD – Continued Professional Development. These are shorter courses available to qualified Coaches that allow them to gain advanced training in niche areas of Coaching.

HOW DO I KNOW IF COACHING IS FOR ME?

I would say this depends on two things, what is it you want to achieve and how is your current mindset? If you have clear goals you want to work on and you are willing to try new things and take action, you are probably a perfect fit for Coaching.

However, if you have goals but the reasons you haven't achieved them relate to deep trauma or other problems from your past, you may need Therapy to resolve these issue.

It's not unusual for people to be in Therapy and Coaching at the same time – in such cases both the Therapist & Coach are aware of the other professional relationship and have agreed with the client that it's suitable.

THE FREE CONSULTATION:

Before I agree to work with a new client, I always offer a free 30 minute consultation. This is so that I can understand their current situation, goals & mindset. This allows me to determine whether I can help them to achieve their goals. It is a time for me to ask questions, to explain how I work, to assess how I can best help them. It's also my opportunity to explain to them how Coaching works if they have not had it before. I ask the the potential client how they feel about "homework" or extra resources I send between sessions such as worksheets, videos, interesting articles etc. The relationship between me and my clients is not limited to our 1-1 sessions, I provide support and motivation between via email.

If for any reason I feel that Coaching is not currently right for them, I will be honest and explain why.

After the session I like to follow up with a short email review of what we talked about and offer some free tips that they can begin to action immediately. I stress to the client that they should only book a first & paid session if they feel that I am the right person to help them, there is no pressure. They are free to ask any further questions about me and my training / methods / experience etc. It is very important for me that anyone I work with is open to my techniques, has the correct mindset and fully understands what I can and cannot do as their Coach. Clarity, honesty, trust and transparency are crucial from the start in order for the Coaching relationship to be effective.

So if you are curious about Coaching why not book a free, no obligation complimentary 30 minute session with me. During this call we will discuss your goals and how I can help?

Coaching really is a powerful way to make big, positive changes in your life, usually in a very short amount of time. Get in touch if you have any questions. 

I look forward to helping you make your dreams come true :)