The difference between therapy and coaching

Should you hire a therapist or a life coach?

I've walked both worlds. So i guess this is as good of a time as any to write about this topic. Let's start with the similarities.

1. both industries (when done correctly and ethically) serve to do the same thing. Help people.
2. You will learn and grow if you're consistent. 

Therapy and coaching are distinct approaches. Here are differences between therapy and coaching:

1. Focus and Purpose:
   
   • Therapy: Primarily focuses on addressing and treating mental health issues, emotional challenges, and psychological disorders. Therapists often explore past experiences and delve into the root of what's causing your issues now, 
   • Coaching: Focus on personal or professional development, goal setting, and achieving specific objectives. 
2. Time Orientation:
   
   • Therapy: Often looks at past experiences and their impact on the present. The goal is to understand and heal from past trauma and/or unresolved issues. You want to process something? a therapist is your way to go.
   • Coaching: Primarily future-oriented, concentrating on setting and achieving goals. Coaches help clients identify strengths, overcome obstacles, and create actionable plans for the future. 
3. Credentials and Training:
   
   • Therapy: Therapists have formal education and training in psychology, counseling, or related fields. They must hold licenses and certifications, and their practice is regulated by professional boards. They are held to a high standard of ethics and must do continuing education classes. When we were in our grad school program, we had to take a law and ethics class. Surprisingly, our field had a huge ethics expectation that isn't seen in many other professional fields.
   • Coaching: While there are coaching certifications and training programs, the coaching industry is less regulated than therapy. Coaches may come from diverse backgrounds and may not necessarily hold specific degrees or licenses. My certification in coaching from CTI was an extra, something i wanted to do for myself. But it wasn't necessary. I could've popped up shop right out of high school if I wanted to. 
4. Client Relationships:
   
   • Therapy: Establishes a therapeutic relationship where the therapist provides a safe and confidential space for the client to explore and understand their emotions and thoughts. I couldn't even say hi to my clients if I saw them in barre class because that was breaking confidentiality. I couldn't accept gifts or be friends either until 2 years after our professional relationship ended. 
   • Coaching: Focuses on a collaborative partnership between the coach and the client. The coach provides support, guidance, and accountability to help the client achieve their goals. There are no laws protecting client confidentiality etc. 
5. Problem-solving Approach:
   
   • Therapy: Involves exploring and understanding underlying issues, with an emphasis on emotional healing and self-discovery. You're often not trying to "do" or "solve" anything. But again, this differs on the type of therapist and the framework and philosophy they work from! best thing to do is ask to avoid feeling frustrated. 
   • Coaching: Emphasizes action-oriented strategies and practical solutions to help clients move forward and achieve their desired outcomes.

It's important to note that there is some overlap between therapy and coaching, and individuals may benefit from one or both approaches depending on their needs. Additionally, some professionals integrate elements of both in their practice. While I don't practice therapy with my clients, I certainly can't un-know things and I bring all of ME into my work with clients.