Coaching vs Therapy

Explore the differences between life coaching and therapy to make an informed choice for yourself.

Being unhappy in life is not necessarily the same as being severely anxious or depressed (the latter two require professional psychiatric and/or psychological support).

Sometimes we can feel unhappy because we just feel we are not where we want to be in life. We can know deep down there's more to life, that we have unrealized potential, and feel unfulfilled and unsatisfied.

A brief history

Traditionally, life coaching was viewed as a tool for high-achievers looking to elevate their personal and professional success, while therapy was primarily recommended for individuals experiencing dysfunction or mental health challenges.

Over time, both coaching and therapy have evolved significantly, with some areas of overlap emerging. Today, many therapists and psychologists incorporate life coaching into their practice alongside traditional therapeutic methods, broadening the scope and accessibility of both approaches.

When to choose coaching over counseling?

Coaching is centered on change and action. Its core purpose is to enhance self-awareness, clarify choices, and bridge the gap between your current reality and your potential.

While counseling is primarily reparative and focused on addressing past or present challenges, coaching takes a developmental approach.

In other words, therapy typically focuses on healing and improving mental health, whereas coaching emphasizes personal growth, helping you unlock your full potential in a solution-focused and forward-looking way.

The limitations of therapy

Of course, there are limitations to therapy as well as coaching. For example, a therapist will most likely not be able (or willing) to help you with some entrepreneurial coaching to increase your sales or launch that business you’ve always wanted to start, career or life coaching to help you find your most meaningful work, get that dream job etc.

Therapists tend to be much more regulated and constrained by laws, codes of ethics and rules, whereas coaches tend to have more free-reign and autonomy. This can have both its advantages and disadvantages.