If you are wondering whether coaching or therapy is better for you, you’re not alone.
They can look pretty similar on the surface—both practices use a collaborative approach to drive insight, behavior change, and goal achievement. However, there are some key differences that define them as separate professional fields.
These differences are most evident in 5 particular areas:
1. Diagnosis vs Personal Goals
Coaching does not use any diagnoses or labels for clients, while therapy usually involves assignment of a mental health diagnosis to the client from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V TR).
This difference originates from the fact that therapy is part of the medical model, and is used for the treatment of mental health, and coaching is not connected to the medical system. Since most therapy is billed to health insurance to cover services, a clinical diagnosis is necessary to justify the need for services and receive payment. Since coaching does not involve third-party medical oversight, clients retain greater autonomy in shaping their experience.
2. Confidentiality Framework
There are differing levels of confidentiality maintained between coaching and therapy, namely that therapy is monitored under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), and coaching is not.
While the International Coaching Federation (ICF) has established a code of ethics, and coaches are expected to maintain a safe and trusting environment for their clients, coaching is not under the same stringent HIPPA restrictions, such as provider-patient privilege, which protects most client information from being disclosed without consent in legal proceedings.
Due to the nature of coaching, there is less need for that high degree of confidentiality, since the focus is not mental illness, but it is worth noting, so that the client is informed and can choose to share to their comfort-level, as a result.
3. Qualifications
Therapy is more regulated than the coaching field, since therapists must complete a degree and pass licensure by their state to hold their title.
Most coaches have qualifying experience and training, and can pursue coaching certifications, but it is important to note that there is not the same level of oversight in coaching. Since qualifications vary, it is important for clients to find a coach who is well qualified, with credible expertise and experience.
* While I am not providing therapy in my coaching capacity, I originally trained and certified as a therapist and previously ran a counseling practice, and so am able to reference my extensive professional training and knowledge beyond that of most coaches.
4. Duration
In most instances, coaching is shorter-term, often involving a matter of months to see progress on goals, while therapy is longer-term, in many cases lasting multiple years, to achieve outcomes.
This difference is driven by the nature of the goals clients have in coaching vs therapy, with goals associated with therapy often taking longer to achieve.
5. Orientation / Focus
While there are many different coaching and therapeutic approaches, in general, therapy is most effective at addressing mental health conditions and emotional challenges and coaching is primarily oriented for personal or professional development and achieving specific related goals.
Coaching is more future-focused. While therapy can have future-oriented components, it often focuses more on addressing and healing the past or structuring interventions for immediate difficult circumstances. Coaching starts with where you are now and guides you toward the future you want to create.
