What is the difference between life coaching and therapy?

Life Coaching and Therapy can both be incredibly helpful.

They simply offer different levels of support and expertise to help you heal, grow, and thrive.

It may be helpful to think in terms of physical health to understand the difference between coaching and therapy. A life coach is to a therapist what a personal trainer is to a physician. Physicians and therapists are trained to help people move from not feeling well toward better health. Personal trainers and life coaches are trained to help people move from generally good health to excellent health.

In many cases, issues and topics appropriate for coaching can be worked on in either coaching or in therapy.

There are some issues that are out of scope for coaching and are more appropriate for therapy. If you are struggling quite a bit to function in daily life, have past traumas that have not been processed, or need a deeper level of mental health support you may want to consider connecting with a licensed mental health professional for therapy.

Some clients work with a therapist and coach at the same time on different issues or for added support for the same issues. In this case, the therapist would be kept informed about progress in coaching.

Every client and situation are unique.

You deserve the level of support that will help you thrive. Being well informed about coaching and therapy is a great first step.

For more information about coaching:

International Coaching Federation (ICF) Guide to Experience Coaching: Working with a Coach

For more information about therapy:

National Institute of Mental Health: My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?

Nationtal Institute of Mental Health: Help for Mental Illness

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Finding a Mental Health Professional

Please note: this website is informational only and not intended to provide any level of mental health care.