3.08.24

How is a Life Coach Different from A Therapist?

Impact Coach

Many people come to me with these questions: Is a life coach the same thing as a therapist? How is life coaching different from therapy? Which is right for me? As a former therapist turned board-certified coach, I’ve worked professionally in both capacities and have much to say on this topic. I’ve also personally worked with (and benefited from) therapists and life coaches.

Is a life coach the same thing as a therapist?

The short answer is no, and there are many key questions to ask when you’re looking for a life coach or therapist.

While there is some overlap, below are some of the key differences:

Difference in credentials. In the U.S., a licensed therapist must complete a bachelor’s degree (can be in anything, but certain prerequisites are required for a master’s), a master’s degree, and supervised clinical experience hours to obtain licensure. Your licensure will apply to a specific state. To become a life coach, you must complete a coaching certification. This is much more flexible and less connected with academia, and the options for coaching certification programs are vast. The opportunities and credentials to become a coach are less black and white than therapy. I am a board-certified coach, which takes additional hours.

Focus and methodology. How does the focus of a therapist differ from a life coach? Therapy is more of a tabula rasa for exploring your inner world, learning, and evolving. Coaching, on the other hand, tends to be more action and goal or solution-oriented. When you think of the person who asks you to talk about your childhood and background experiences or to explore trauma, that’s likely a therapist (not that a coach won’t do the same, and in fact, many coaches will incorporate inner-child work if they’re trained). That being said, a coach will want to focus more on what’s next. In recent years, more therapists have trained in solution-focused methodologies that incorporate aspects of coaching into their work, such as goal delineation and career development. There are also coaches who draw on therapeutic techniques, though they may not be licensed or adequately trained to do so. Be sure to ask your coach what methods they’ve studied!

Ethics and training. Speaking of training, a big difference between therapists and coaches comes from how coaches are often trained less in ethics and rapport. Therapists have much more training in things like privacy, ethics, and how to handle difficult topics. In other words, a coach may not be trained on how to handle when a client brings up something like sexual trauma, whereas a therapist will have training on how to respond when someone brings up trauma. There are trauma-informed coaches, but not nearly as many coaching programs teach this. It’s something to look out for, notably in the world of relationship and sexual coaching, as many well-intentioned coaches do not have the proper training to handle the often traumatic topics that can arise.

One will be a better cheerleader. Coaches are often better trained in processes and motivational techniques. Remember, coaching is more likely to be goal and future-oriented. Keep it mind, it is neither’s job to give “advice” or opinions, but a coach can add more input than a therapist.

The process is different. You might think of therapy as a safe space to be, develop, shed skin, and process. Therapy will certainly provide this; it is more of a relationship unfolding and less transactional. On the other hand, many coaches are more geared toward transactions and programs. They’ll have specific outcomes for you: think launching your business, increasing sales, or changing a specific aspect of your life/relationships. Again, you’re more likely to be working towards tangible goals versus observing a process (which is more like therapy). It’s not always black and white, but this is generally the case. Therapy may also have goals, such as working through an eating disorder or specific childhood trauma, but again, these are things that tend to be fluid, and you’re not going to set a “goal date” for them.

Which is right for me: a life coach or therapist?

Firstly, at different times of our lives and depending on where we are in our careers and healing journeys, one may be more helpful for you than another. You may also find that having a life coach and a therapist is better for certain phases of your life. For example, say you’ve had years of therapy and don’t want to dwell on the past, but you are feeling stuck in an area of life: a coach would be perfect!

There is often an overlap between coaching and therapy, but as discussed above, they’re ultimately different. It’s ideal to find one who fits your current needs and remember, there is a spectrum out there. Sometimes we need a program and steps to follow, it’s that simple. Other times we need a highly-trained ear and wisdom. If you’re working through serious trauma, find someone licensed. Not that a coach can’t help, but you want to be careful with delicate situations. If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness, seek out the programming that’s best designed to keep you safe.* 

In summary, both should be able to ask profound questions – ones that catalyze you forward. Do your research and always set up a consultation call to see if the coach or therapist feels right. 

Click here to learn more about questions to ask when hiring a coach.

*Please note that this blog is not medical advice and is not intended to tell you what to do. It’s an exploration of the differences between a life coach and a therapist from our perspective and is our opinion.

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Knowledge is power.

SIR FRANCIS BACON