Although therapy and coaching might come up in the same conversation, there are important key factors to consider before deciding whether to work with a coach or therapist.
“The processes life coaches use with their clients depends heavily upon the niche they choose (relationship, career, leadership, etc.) and may involve the use of a variety of tools & exercises depending on the niche and coach,” Samuel Gozo, ACC, MCPC, a master certified professional coach and owner of Integrative Clarity Coaching, tells mbg. “All in all, the purpose of life coaching is to identify clear and concrete goals and actively partner with clients to achieve them.” On the other hand, therapy—short for psychotherapy—is a clinical-based approach to treating mental health issues that are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, or eating disorders. Oftentimes, therapy involves analyzing past experiences that help inform or explain current situations. “A therapist is a licensed professional (or a pre-licensed professional that practices under another therapist’s license), that helps clients with mental health problems,” explains Christine R. Melendres, LCSW, a licensed therapist and founder of Sweet Mango Therapy Group. “Therapists are trained to help people who are struggling with mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. They diagnose, assess, and provide treatment of mental disorders. They help clients process and heal from past hurts and trauma. Therapists also help with crisis intervention or grief counseling.” “Therapists are governed by a licensing board, and to legally provide psychotherapy, one requires a master’s degree with a state license to practice,” Melendres explains. In the U.S., licensing requirements vary from state to state, but in general, only practitioners who have at least a master’s degree in fields like social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy and who have passed their state’s licensing board exams can legally be called therapists. You’ll see acronyms after a licensed therapist’s name, such as LCSW (licensed clinical social worker), LPCC (licensed professional clinical counselor), or LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist). There are many paths to becoming a therapist, but all therapists undergo years of school and training, including obtaining a minimum of a master’s degree, acquiring clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, and passing a state-mandated board exam for licensure. Psychologists who hold doctorate-level degrees such as Ph.D. or Psy.D. can also choose to work with clients as therapists as well, though state licensing requirements may still apply. Psychiatrists, who are medical doctors holding an M.D. and who prescribe medications as part of a client’s treatment plan, may also be called therapists. For coaches, there is currently no centralized governing body that regulates or oversees the coaching industry, and there is no specific training or minimum requirements to become a coach. “I firmly believe that’s on the precipice of changing,” Gozo notes, though, “so it is strongly encouraged that anyone serious about becoming a life coach gets appropriately trained and certified to do so.” As a client, here are a few ways you can verify whether your potential coach has the proper training, certifications, and credentials: Therapists, on the other hand, focus on the past and on mental health, says Melendres. “There’s typically a diagnosis given to the client, and there is a treatment plan that is used. Clients are given the opportunity to look at what is going on emotionally, psychologically, and interpersonally.” Therapists also provide a uniquely safe space for clients to dive into all aspects of their mental health because of the legal regulations around the profession. “Therapists are prohibited from disclosing confidential communications to any third party unless mandated or permitted by law to do so,” Melendres notes. Sessions with a coach are also usually one hour each week and sometimes start open-ended, but the sessions will usually narrow toward a specific topic, as there is usually a specific goal to work toward. Most coaches will also offer their services for a specific niche. Most therapists practice a wide spectrum of therapies to address various mental health issues, though some do practice within a niche or utilize a specific therapy, such as EMDR or sex therapy. (Here’s more on the different types of therapy that exist.) Engaging with therapy, on the other hand, is often a long-term engagement with no specified end date. That’s because therapy is a practice that seeks to uncover root causes for your distress. This can take a while to work through, but in the hands of a professional therapist, the work you put in will be worth it. Most coaching practices are built on a framework that the coach has developed over time with various clients. Results using their coaching framework can be replicated for many clients. Goals when working with a therapist include emotional processing, depression management, anxiety management, and how to handle grief. These goals are not always action-oriented. Sometimes exploring past experiences to find a root cause is necessary during a session, which may result in no specific actionable takeaway in that particular session. If you’re working with a psychiatrist, medications can also be prescribed to manage mental health issues. By the end of your therapy sessions, you will likely have a better understanding of your emotions, triggers, boundaries, and mental health. Most coaching is not covered by insurance, and each coach will set their own pricing, which can vary from $100 to $15,000-plus depending on different factors like your goal, niche, and length of program. However, some niche coaching like health coaching is on its way to becoming eligible for insurance coverage with efforts being led by NBHWC. You may find therapists and coaches who offer sliding-scale pricing that can accommodate a wider range of budgets. For example, a therapist may offer sliding-scale sessions priced at $75 to $150 per session depending on a client’s ability to pay. Their sliding-scale offerings may come with fewer time-slot options or phone-only support. Each practitioner will set their own rules around their sliding-scale offering, but it’s a great way to offer wellness services to more people with varying budgets. You might start to notice that both professions are roles that offer support depending on what you want to work through. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding if a therapist or coach is right for you: After you’ve figured out what you want to work on and what you can afford financially, use a Google search or directories to find the right fit. For coaches, you can start your search on Noomii. For therapists you can begin your search on Psychology Today, Inclusive Therapists, or Therapy Den. Once you’ve found a few interesting prospects for your coach or therapist, reach out to each of them to schedule a short call to figure out if there is a good match between you and the coach or therapist. Most practitioners will offer a free discovery call to assess if there’s a fit. It is important to find a good match to ensure that the professional you choose to work with is best equipped to help you according to your personality and personal needs. According to Melendres, you should consider seeing a therapist for issues like: From an ethical standpoint, Gozo adds, it is the professional’s responsibility to: On your search, keep in mind accreditation that you care about, the kind of sessions you want to participate in, and goals you want to achieve. If you’re still debating whether or not to engage in either service, jump in anywhere and allow yourself to explore options with an exploratory call with each professional you’re interested in working with. Catahan currently runs, writes, and lives in San Francisco.
