Coaching and Therapy
Looking at some differences and similarities.
If you are considering coaching or therapy, it is important to understand some of the differences and some similarities between the two.
A fundamental difference is in the educational and licensing requirements for each profession.
Therapists are degreed at the masters, or doctoral level, and trained to provide psychotherapy to people who are struggling with mental health disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). These can be things like depression, anxiety, ADHD or PTSD. Therapists provide a diagnosis and treatment plan for their clients. Therapists are licensed and overseen by the state in which they operate.
Therapists offer a variety of therapeutic modalities which typically focus on the past events and healing from them. Some therapeutic specialties include:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Talk Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Interpersonal Therapy
EMDR Therapy
Marriage and Family Therapy
Coaches are typically college graduates at the bachelor degree level who have been trained and certified through different coaching programs. Interestingly, many coaching programs are operated by therapists and psychologists. Coaches may also maintain membership and/or certification with a professional organization, for example the International Coaching Federation or the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches. Coaches are not licensed by a state governing body and do not provide any diagnoses or treatment for mental health problems.
Coaches tend to focus on the present and moving towards goals. As with therapy, there are different types of coaching specialties, for example:
Life Coaches
Career Coaches
Health and Wellness Coaches
Somatic Coaches
Nutritional Coaches
While therapy is typically focused on the past, in particular childhood issues, and coaching is focused on the present and moving forward toward goals, it is inevitable that there is overlap in these areas. While the tools used by coaches and therapists differ, both types of work are rooted in assisting clients to create change in their thoughts and behaviour that last long past the end of the engagement. If you are interested in discussing whether coaching may be right for you, please contact Victoria Bailey.
