I used to proclaim that everyone needed therapy. I really believed it, based on my own life experiences, the people around me, and my research, which focussed on all the hurtful things that happen to humans (like rejection and bullying). I’ve tried many therapies myself—some were more effective than others, and some were best suited to particular types of problems.
Now that I’m healed, my perspective has shifted, and I believe everyone needs coaching! Well, the truth is there’s a place for both. Coaching and therapy offer huge benefits, but their goals, methods, and outcomes differ. This blog outlines the distinctions between the two and how to decide which is the best choice for you.
What Is Coaching?
Coaching is a future-focused, action-oriented partnership designed to help you achieve specific goals. It can be 1:1 or in a group.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking clarity on your purpose, a leader striving for better balance, or a creative looking to break free from self-doubt and limiting beliefs, coaching emphasises empowerment and positive action.
Key Features of Coaching
- Goal-Oriented: Coaching revolves around defining and achieving measurable goals.
- Solution-Focused: Coaches work with you to identify actionable solutions, rather than delving into past problems.
- Growth-Centric: Coaching prioritises personal and professional growth through skill-building and mindset shifts.
Types of Coaching
There are many different types of coaching, you can read about the top 100 coaches niches in 2024 here. Some very popular niches include:
- Executive Coaching: Enhances leadership skills, decision-making, and team dynamics.
- Mindset Coaching: Focuses on overcoming limiting beliefs and cultivating a growth-oriented mindset.
- Health Coaching: Uses evidence-based interventions and strategies to actively engage clients in their health behaviour goals.
While these niches offer specialist support, Mind-Body-Soul Coaching offers a holistic approach that targets the three core areas related to human wellbeing and flourishing. If that piques your interest, click here to read more about my signature coaching program: The Luminary™️
What Is Therapy?
Therapy focuses on healing mental health challenges, emotional difficulties, and understanding past experiences. It is especially helpful for individuals dealing with past or ongoing trauma, anxiety, depression, or other psychological issues that are negatively affecting their life.
Therapists are licensed professionals trained to provide clinical treatment and emotional support. You’ll find counsellors, therapists, and clinical psychologists in this group of professionals.
Key Features of Therapy
- Past and Present-Focused: Therapy often explores how past experiences impact your current behavior and emotions.
- Healing-Centric: The primary goal is emotional healing and mental well-being.
- Diagnostic: Therapists can identify and treat mental health conditions and offer a structured, evidence-based path to recovery.
Forms of Therapy
There are many different types of therapy. Some are best suited to specific types of problems. Here are a few examples:
- Counselling or Talk Therapy: Therapists listen without judgement while you talk through your problems. This is a good entry point for people who have never had any therapy. Some people need to talk through what they’ve experienced to process it. For others, simply talking about their problems doesn’t help to overcome them.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing negative thought patterns. It’s a more active type of therapy that works on cognitive restructuring, which in turn can lead to more positive or healthy behaviour.
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): This method involves moving your eyes in a specific way while you process traumatic memories. EMDR is especially effective for PTSD, complex trauma, or other distressing life experiences. The results can be much faster and effective than talking and cognitive therapies.
Coaching vs. Therapy: The Key Differences
Coaching and therapy are both grounded in psychology, but there are a number of differences between them. Here’s a summary of the distinctions, so that you can make the right choice for you based on your present circumstances:
| Aspect | Coaching | Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | Positive Psychology | Clinical or Counselling Psychology |
| Focus | Future-oriented, achieving growth | Past-oriented, healing emotional wounds |
| Approach | Collaborative, motivational | Diagnostic, therapeutic |
| Methods | Strategies, action plans, mindset work | Psychotherapy, emotional exploration |
| Who It’s For | High-functioning individuals seeking growth | Individuals addressing mental health issues and unresolved trauma |
| End Goal | Personal and professional development | Emotional healing, mental health improvement |
When to Choose Coaching
Coaching might be the right choice if:
- You have a clear goal: Whether it’s awakening your true purpose, becoming more authentic, or finding peace and balance as a leader, coaching is ideal when you’re ready to focus on a specific outcome.
- You feel stuck but functional: You want support to overcome limiting beliefs or stagnation, but you’re not experiencing debilitating mental health symptoms.
- You’re ready to take action: Coaching thrives on accountability and forward momentum, so it’s best for those eager to make tangible changes.
How Coaching Transforms Leaders
- Enhanced Clarity: Coaching will help you define your vision and values, ensuring alignment between personal and professional actions and goals.
- Improved Confidence: Through mindset shifts and skill-building, coaching equips you to handle challenges with resilience.
- Sustainable Growth: Coaching gives you tools and strategies to maintain progress long-term and fosters continuous self-improvement.
Want to learn more about the benefits of coaching? Check out Six Science Backed Reasons why Coaching is Worth the Investment.
When to Choose Therapy
Therapy might be the better fit if:
- You’re navigating unresolved trauma: Past experiences affecting your current emotions or behavior often require therapeutic intervention.
- You’re struggling emotionally or mentally: Anxiety, depression, grief, or stress that interferes with daily life can signal the need for therapy.
- You want deep emotional healing: Therapy provides a safe space to explore vulnerabilities and work toward getting back to baseline.
How Therapy Supports Healing
- Processing Emotions: Therapists guide you through the complexities of your feelings, fostering greater emotional intelligence and management.
- Understanding Patterns: Therapy helps uncover subconscious patterns, empowering you to break cycles of negativity.
- Promoting Mental Wellness: With tools like mindfulness and CBT, therapy can significantly improve overall mental health.
Can You Combine Coaching and Therapy?
When psychological issues are minor, the most effective approaches often combine elements of coaching and therapeutic principles. This is especially helpful for leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives, who often face unique stressors and drivers.
Combining healing with the forward momentum of coaching is often key to unlocking profound growth.
Examples of Integrative Approaches
- Mind-Body-Soul Coaching: Some coaches (like me) integrate therapeutic techniques like meditation, hypnosis, and somatic practices, with powerful coaching methods to offer a holistic growth experience.
- Therapeutic Coaching: Therapists with coaching certification may blend emotional healing with actionable goal-setting.
- Sequential Approach: Some individuals begin with therapy to address emotional hurdles, then transition to coaching for forward movement.
Note that coaching, or a combined approach, is not appropriate when an individual is experiencing a clinical mental health episode.
How to Choose the Right Path for You
1. Assess Your Current State
- Ask yourself: Am I seeking growth or healing? Am I functioning but stuck, or struggling to cope?
- If your challenges are more emotional, therapy may be the best starting point. If you’re looking for structured support to reach your full potential, consider coaching.
2. Clarify Your Goals
- Therapy is ideal if your goal is emotional healing, overcoming trauma, or managing a mental health condition.
- Coaching is best when your focus is on making changes and achieving tangible results.
3. Reflect on Your Readiness
- Therapy requires vulnerability and a commitment to self-exploration, especially of past issues and experiences.
- Coaching requires self-exploration that is grounded in the present and future, in addition to an open and proactive mindset and willingness to act.
Choosing the Right Guide for Your Journey
Finding a professional who understands your unique challenges and aspirations is key.
Qualities to Look For
- Experience: Seek professionals with expertise in your area of focus. In addition to their credentials, do they have personal experience in overcoming your specific challenge—this is not essential, but can be helpful.
- Alignment: Choose someone whose approach resonates with you. The relationship between client-therapist and client-coach is often key to success, so it’s important the fit is right.
- Certification: Ensure your coach or therapist has the necessary credentials and training.
Final Thoughts: Aligning Mind, Body, and Soul for Growth
Coaching and therapy both offer transformative potential; the key is deciding which will propel you toward your vision of success. Whether you choose coaching, therapy, or a combined approach, the ultimate goal is wellbeing and alignment. For leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives, this alignment fosters not only success but also deep fulfillment.
Embrace the journey, trust the process, and remember that every step forward is a victory. Winning!
If you’re ready to take the next step in your personal and professional growth and would love 1:1 dedicated support, book a call with me and we’ll take a deep dive into your mind, body, and soul. I’m here to help you unlock your potential and craft a life full of peace, purpose, and prosperity.