What’s the difference between a therapist and a coach?

Therapists and coaches are both committed to supporting clients and helping them achieve their personal objectives. And while the end goals might be the same, there are important differences between therapists and coaches when it comes to approach, training, and specialties. Understanding these differences can help clients select the correct type of professional assistance required for their specific situation.

Therapists are also referred to as psychotherapists and counselors. They are licensed professionals focused on mental health matters and are able to diagnose and treat various disorders: psychological, emotions, and behavioral.

Therapists often obtain advanced degrees in psychology, counseling, or social work and are required to meet stringent licensing requirements. This may include supervised clinical experience and/or ongoing professional development.  

Therapy is commonly focused on healing. Common examples include dealing with mental health conditions (i.e. depression or anxiety), working through past traumas and deeply engrained emotional issues. Therapists typically employ evidence-based techniques to help clients.  Examples of such techniques include CBT and EMDR.

Coaches, on the other hand, do not diagnose or treat mental health disorders (pathology). Coaches focus on helping clients set and achieve specific goals, both personal and professional. There are a wide variety of ‘coaches’ including life coaches, executive coaches, and wellness coaches.

Coaching looks forward. It is “future-oriented” and typically emphasizes accountability, performance, and end results Some coaches are trained or certified in coaching methodologies, but they are not required to be licensed and are not required to have a mental health background.

The scope and boundaries of the body of work is also important to understand. Therapists must adhere to strict ethical guidelines. These include confidentiality and mandated reporting. Sessions are usually structured and clinical in nature. They involve assessments and treatment plans. Coaching can be much more flexible. It can be whatever you and your coach decide.

As a rule of thumb, individuals experiencing emotional distress or any form of mental illness should seek the help of a therapist. Individuals who are mentally well and looking to enhance their performance and develop new skills may benefit more from coaching.

Sala Psychology is based in Greenwich, Connecticut. Specialties include therapy for anxiety disorders, depression, behavioral weight loss issues, and couples therapy.