It’s important to know where to go to access the support you need, and not all coaches and therapists are created equal.
Knowing what kind of support you need can be so tricky.
I’ve done therapy for 2 years and have also invested in coaching — at their best they complement each other.
Coaching is not therapy, but when done well and through a trauma-informed approach it can be incredibly therapeutic.
Often the difference between coaching and therapy can be described as “goal-oriented” vs. “process-oriented.”
Here’s a short, incomplete list of the qualities to expect with coaching vs. therapy:
Coaching:
- typically goal-oriented
- not equipped to diagnose
- a degree or certification is not required
- not restricted to any certain location or method of delivering services
- typically shorter commitment of time with more of a focus on a certain outcome
- relieves feelings of “stuckness”
Therapy:
- process-oriented
- equipped to diagnose
- requires an advanced degree and a state license to practice
