How is coaching different from therapy?
Therapy is designed to treat and diagnose clinical issues. Therapy often involves exploring the root of maladaptive patterns and and the past, with a focus on the relationship between therapist and client. The length of the therapeutic relationship is usually less defined from the start and can often be longer than a coaching relationship.
Coaching is completely different than therapy in terms of the agenda and relationship with your coach. In coaching, there isn’t discussion about diagnosis or treatment of clinical issues.
Coaching is about talking about the details of the here and now, meeting you where you’re at, and helping you understand what goals you need to set to help you take the next steps to accessing your longer-term goals (i.e., more meaning in your life). Coaching is practical, actionable, and doesn’t involved working through your past. Coaching is a short-term and time-limited relationship from the get-go.
Engaging in coaching with me does NOT mean we have a clinical relationship or that I am your therapist. If you are struggling with your mental health, going for therapy and treatment is likely the right avenue for you.
Times to seek therapy and not coaching:
If you’re struggling with your mental health and it is impacting your daily functioning.
If you want to explore and talk about your past and how it is impacting you today.
You are having high risk thoughts and/or behaviors.
You can do coaching and therapy with two different providers at the same time. I will not accept pre-existing or current therapy clients into my coaching groups because of the dual relationship involved.