What's the Different Between a Therapist and a Coach

Therapists and coaches are both professionals who work with individuals to help them achieve personal and professional goals, but there are some key differences between the two.

While there is some overlap in the skills and techniques used by therapists and coaches, they each have unique approaches to their work.

Who Therapists Are

Therapists are trained professionals who provide counseling and psychotherapy to help individuals with mental health and emotional issues. They typically have a graduate degree in psychology or counseling and are licensed to practice in their state.

Therapists work with clients to identify and manage mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. They use a range of techniques such as talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness to help clients understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and develop coping skills.

Who Coaches Are

Coaches, on the other hand, are professionals who work with individuals to help them achieve personal and professional goals. Coaches may work with clients on a range of issues such as career development, communication skills, time management, and leadership.

They typically have training and certification in coaching and may have a background in business, psychology, or another related field. Coaches use a variety of techniques such as goal setting, accountability, and feedback to help clients identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies for success. If you're looking for a coach, think about getting in touch with Felicia Keller Boyle.

Focus of Coach and Therapist Work

One of the main differences between therapists and coaches is the focus of their work. Therapists focus on mental health and emotional well-being, while coaches focus on personal and professional development.

Therapists are trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, while coaches do not diagnose or treat mental health issues. Instead, coaches work with clients to identify areas of their life or work that they would like to improve and help them develop strategies to achieve their goals.

Differences in Structure and Guidance

Another difference between therapists and coaches is the level of structure and guidance they provide. Therapy tends to be more structured and guided by the therapist, while coaching tends to be more collaborative and client-driven.

In therapy, the therapist may guide the conversation and use specific techniques to help the client explore their thoughts and emotions. In coaching, the coach may ask questions and provide feedback, but the client is ultimately responsible for setting their own goals and developing their own strategies for achieving them.

The duration and frequency of therapy and coaching sessions also differ. Therapy sessions are typically longer and more frequent than coaching sessions.

Therapy sessions may last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and occur on a weekly or biweekly basis. Coaching sessions are usually shorter, lasting around 30-45 minutes, and may occur weekly, biweekly, or monthly depending on the client's needs.

Differences in Relationships

Another difference between therapists and coaches is the nature of the relationship between the client and the professional.

Therapy is generally considered a more intimate and confidential relationship, as the client may disclose personal and sensitive information to the therapist.

Coaching relationships are usually more focused on professional goals and may involve less personal disclosure.

Final Thoughts

In summary, therapists and coaches are both professionals who work with individuals to help them achieve personal and professional goals, but they have different areas of focus and use different techniques to achieve their objectives.

Therapists focus on mental health and emotional well-being, while coaches focus on personal and professional development. Therapy tends to be more structured and client-guided, while coaching is more collaborative and client-driven.

Therapy sessions are longer and more frequent than coaching sessions, and therapy relationships are generally more intimate and confidential than coaching relationships. If you're trying to decide