coaching versus therapy: what’s the difference?

One of the questions we get the most - given our background as licensed social workers, therapists, AND coaches - is what’s the difference between therapy and coaching? How do you know what’s right for you? And just as important: how do I know if the person I am working with has the proper background and credentials to help me with my unique challenges?

One of the things that makes us unique is that not only do we deeply understand the meaningful differences between these terms but we have the skills and backgrounds to do both, and to help navigate you to the right resource if you're struggling with burnout or lack of joy in your career. 

what is therapy?

Therapy is a process where client and therapist work together to understand, diagnose and treat problematic behaviors and feelings. Often, therapists are working to treat a specific primary problem, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or substance use disorders. However, since many of these issues are connected to the daily stressors of life, therapists often help clients problem-solve more generally. Therapists use specific clinical interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and other techniques to help treat these conditions. Therapists come from multiple professions (social work, psychology, counseling, and more) but must always be licensed in the client’s state to provide therapy services.

what is coaching?

Coaching is a process where coach and client work together to create a vision for the future and to take steps to make that vision a reality. While therapy often focuses on the past in order to address issues in the present, coaching often focuses on the here and now as well as the future. While coaching can help supplement treatment for mental health conditions, it's not a replacement. As a profession, coaches vary widely in niche and background so in order to find the right fit, you may want to check if the coach you’re considering has any certifications or credentials, indicating that they completed the proper training and practice hours and are bound to ethical standards of practice. If career coaching is what you’re looking for, it often also helps to find a coach who has a professional background similar to yours.

your next steps

It's important to recognize when workplace stress or burnout exceeds your capacity for resilience. There's no shame in seeking professional help or having honest conversations with your supervisor about workload and expectations. Some organizations offer support like EAPs or mental health resources, but working with a coach or other professional to help you can be a really helpful jumping off point for long term recovery and resilience-building. If things are a bit too overwhelming, consider booking a coaching fit call to see how coaching may help. 

Remember: small, consistent steps toward better habits can lead to significant improvements in your professional and personal life.