How is coaching different from therapy?

A lot of therapists are adding coaching to their practices in recent years, and some coaching have a therapy background, so I get how confusing this can be!

So what’s the difference?

1. Types of training and credentials.

• THERAPISTS are usually licensed medical providers, and their licenses usually require training in psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, or similar topics. 
• COACHES don’t currently have to be licensed. And we are trained in coaching-specific knowledge and skills. While we don’t have to be certified, most of us hold one or more certifications related to coaching.

2. What our work focuses on and how we work.

• Unless you’re rich enough to pay a therapist without insurance, THERAPY usually only deals with diagnosed mental illnesses, determined buy the criteria in a specific medical manual (called either an ICD or a DSM manual, if you’re the curious type). COACHING can focus on anything from parenting, to changing jobs, to learning how to find good dates … to hundreds of other topics.
• THERAPY also typically focuses on the past and the present – what caused the illness or symptoms, what impact they’re having, and how to decrease or manage the. COACHING is largely present and future focused – where are you now, and how do you get to where you want to be?
• THERAPY usually assumes that the therapist is the expert, and they will provide expert advice which the patient will use. COACHING assumes that you are the expert on your situation, goals, and needs, and that the coach’s expertise is focused on assisting you to make the most of your resources, fill in any gaps, see things that you might not notice on your own, and achieve your goal or goals.
  
• THERAPISTS tend to give more advice, while COACHES tend to ask more questions and spend more time listening. 

3. What we can and can’t do in our practices –

• Many THERAPISTS can bill your health insurance for the cost of your work with them. COACHES usually cannot.
• THERAPISTS, depending on their training and licensing, may be able to recommend or prescribe medications. COACHES don’t do that, unless they are also medical providers and you are their patient.
• THERAPISTS can prescribe specific medical care. COACHES may suggest that you seek medical care, but we do not prescribe or enforce those recommendations.

As a coach, I don’t provide medical care or advice. However, if in our work we agree that you need mental health care in addition to, or instead of coaching, I will be happy  help you seek a therapist’s or other health professional’s support.