Therapists manage mental illness and diagnoses, coaches don't. Coaches work with clients for short periods of time. Therapists can work with clients for extended periods of time. Often, therapists focus on the past and the present, while coaches are focused on the future.
When to seek support from a coach vs. Therapists are mental health professionals trained to treat mental illness. In recent years, we have seen an overwhelming mental health crisis. The onset of COVID-19 brought the issue of mental health to the forefront, which has helped to reduce some of the stigma (although we still have a lot of work to do).
We know that mental health is a spectrum. Some people live in more serious areas, while others have moderate or mild symptoms of mental health problems. Regardless of where you are on the scale, if you're living with a mental illness, ask for support from a therapist. Over a period of time, my therapist prescribed medication to help me overcome difficult moments in my life.
But today, I no longer take medications and I feel much better prepared to face whatever life throws at me. Between working with my coach on how to proactively care for my mental state and working with my therapist on how to take care of my mental health, I have a multi-faceted and personalized approach to how to overcome myself. What can make this more confusing is that both psychologists and licensed mental health counselors can provide therapy or be referred to as therapists. In addition, terminology, licensing requirements, and ability to prescribe medications vary from state to state.
In most states, therapists can't prescribe medications unless they are doctors (usually a psychiatrist). Since psychotherapy requires medical professionals to diagnose and treat mental health problems, there are additional licensing requirements. This is another key difference between a coach and a therapist. Psychotherapists generally have licensing boards to approve, some specific to the state in which they practice.
Therapists and psychotherapists have higher levels of professional education, such as a master's degree or even a doctorate. Some are licensed clinical social workers, such as my therapist. While each training program differs depending on specialization, therapists require higher credentials. However, coaching is not a substitute for therapy.
Coaching can certainly feel like a therapeutic relationship. After all, you're working one-on-one to solve your problems. But if you're living with a mental health condition, seek support from a therapist as well. Coaches and therapists overlap in some areas.
For example, both coaches and therapists have specialties and different areas of expertise. While modalities and approaches may differ, coaches and therapists may share the same goal. Both types of professionals draw up action plans. And with these habits, customers create lasting behavioral changes.
Of course, each scenario is approached differently. For example, I set goals with both my therapist and my coach. I wanted to live a happier and healthier life, one in which I could achieve my goals in life. Finally, coaches and therapists share a common goal.
Both are determined to help you overcome yourself. Your health problems will help you determine what type of mental health or mental health care you should seek. Here's how to know when you need the support of a coach instead of a therapist. The question between a coach and a therapist doesn't have to be binary.
With BetterUp, you can take control of your mental conditioning journey. A coach will help you create a personalized plan that works for you. Therapists help clients think about their figurative yesterdays to overcome deep-seated problems, while life coaches are there to help you from today's starting point to succeed tomorrow. There are no specific requirements to become a life coach, and the field is not regulated by any governing body.
Consider going to therapy if you want to be cured or get help with a mental health problem; try life coaching if you need help to “unwind” or develop your full potential. The confusion about which approach is best for you is understandable, because, despite their differences, therapy and coaching have a lot in common. Working with a coach who has completed the education, training, and required standards that a therapist, master's or doctorate doctor would have helps clients feel confident that they are in qualified hands. This partly explains why the coaching industry is known for charismatic professionals and business experts with questionable skills.
Psychotherapy focuses more on healing the past, while coaching focuses more on getting you to where you want to be next. Of course, coaching also takes advantage of the current state and feelings to generate a new awareness that produces changes, but it generally does not delve into past events to inform future steps. Coaches (including therapists who practice coaching) will be absolutely interested in knowing what the “source material” of their clients is and will want to know what life experiences have led you to where you are. A coach can help you perform better physically, emotionally, professionally, socially, or athletically, depending on the specialty.
Psychotherapists face more restrictions than coaches in terms of where and how they can offer services. That said, the goal of coaching isn't necessarily to go back and address it, heal it, or change it. Psychotherapy is more traditionally offered face-to-face in an office, while coaching is often done over the phone or online. As an executive coach, she brings energy, courage and ferocity developed after 15 years working in politics and business.
Life coaches also typically start with a longer initial session to gather information about the client's life goals, obstacles that stand in the way, the mentality, and behaviors that have been helpful or harmful to the client. .
