Coach Vs. Therapist

Common Misconceptions

One of the most common misconceptions about coaching is that it is therapy in disguise – or worse yet –therapy from an unlicensed practitioner. In reality, coaching is truly its own unique service designed to help ambitious achievers meet the outcomes that will bring them success and fulfillment in any and all areas of life. Here are some of the differences between a coach vs. therapist and a basic guide for when each service is appropriate.

What Is Therapy?

Therapy, also called counseling or psychotherapy, is a long-term process in which a client works with a healthcare professional to diagnose and resolve problematic beliefs, behaviors, relationship issues, feelings and sometimes physical responses. The idea behind therapy is to focus on past traumas and issues to change self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships and work through painful feelings. In this sense, therapy focuses on the past and on introspection and analysis, with the hope of resolving past issues and creating a happier, more stable future.

What is Coaching?

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What is Coaching?

In coaching, a client works with a coach who is not a healthcare professional to clarify goals and identify obstacles and problematic behaviors in order to create action plans to achieve desired results. The main way that a coach vs. therapist works is that the coach takes the client’s current starting point as an acceptable neutral ground and is more action-based from that point onward. A coach enables the person receiving treatment to take control of their life and take action to steer it toward their goals.

Coach Vs. Therapist

Common Misconceptions

One of the most common misconceptions about coaching is that it is therapy in disguise – or worse yet – therapy from an unlicensed practitioner. In reality, coaching is truly its own unique service designed to help ambitious achievers meet the outcomes that will bring them success and fulfillment in any and all areas of life. Here are some of the differences between a coach vs. therapist and a basic guide for when each service is appropriate.

What is Therapy?

Therapy, also called counseling or psychotherapy, is a long-term process in which a client works with a healthcare professional to diagnose and resolve problematic beliefs, behaviors, relationship issues, feelings and sometimes physical responses. The idea behind therapy is to focus on past traumas and issues to change self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships and work through painful feelings. In this sense, therapy focuses on the past and on introspection and analysis, with the hope of resolving past issues and creating a happier, more stable future.

What is Coaching?

In coaching, a client works with a coach to clarify goals and identify obstacles and problematic behaviors in order to create action plans to achieve desired results. The main way that a coach vs. therapist works is that the coach takes the client’s current starting point as an acceptable neutral ground and is more action – based from that point onward. A coach enables the person receiving treatment to take control of their life and take action to steer it toward their goals.

Differences Between Coaches and Therapists

Difference One: Focus of the Program

Coaches identify and describe current problematic behaviors so the client can work to modify them. Therapists analyze their client’s past as a tool for understanding present behaviors. In other words, therapists focus on “why” certain behavioral patterns occur, and coaches work on “how” to work toward a goal. Therapy will focus on your thoughts and feelings and how they are informed by your past. Coaching may touch on these concepts as you break down your limiting beliefs and examine your blueprint, but its ultimate focus is always on the present and the future.

Difference Two: Goals of the Program

When you look at a coaching vs. therapy practice, it’s important to recognize that therapy helps clients explore and understand their subconscious and unconscious mind. It aims to reach a deep understanding of behaviors and patterns with a goal of overall mental health. This is why therapy can be helpful for issues like depression. The goal of coaching is to help you get “unstuck”. Coaching is about action and results. Coaches measure their client’s success with key performance indicators and specific behavioral outcomes. They’ll help you set SMART goals, provide accountability, and celebrate your wins – all on the road to achieving your dreams.

Difference Three: Framework

While both coaching and therapy use talk sessions with a trained professional. Many of the similarities in how they are organized end there. Therapy involves more unstructured sessions that are guided by the client as well as the type of therapy. Coaching sessions are much more structured and focused on actionable strategies and visible growth. The duration of the services also varies. Therapy tends to be a long-term commitment – many people go to therapy for years or even their entire lives. The main difference between a coach and a therapist is that a coach sets clients up with the process and skills they need to eventually coach themselves. Coaching isn’t meant to be forever. Coaches also do not diagnose the people they work with, while therapists determine illnesses and pathologies so their patients can be clinically treated.

Similarities Between A Coach Vs. Therapist

While the answer to “What is therapy?” is very different from what a coach does, there are some similarities. Both work to enable clients to make positive changes in their lives and become more productive. While therapists diagnose and treat from a healthcare perspective, not all therapy clients are ill; many healthy people seek the services of both therapists and coaches. Therapists may work with specific results in mind, such as the cessation of a particular problematic behavior. Despite occasional areas of overlap, the work and processes of therapists and coaches are distinct.

When to Seek out a Coach Vs. Therapist

Naturally, the decision to seek out a coach vs. a therapist is a very personal one. It might help to imagine yourself getting ready to climb a mountain. You could either hire an expert sherpa and guide for your expedition or a doctor. Which will you choose? Which one will be most helpful during your specific journey?

Differences Between Coaches and Therapists

Difference One: Focus of the Program

Coaches identify and describe current problematic behaviors so the client can work to modify them.

Therapists analyze their client’s past as a tool for understanding present behaviors. In other words, therapists focus on “why” certain behavioral patterns occur, and coaches work on “how” to work toward a goal.

Therapy will focus on your thoughts and feelings and how they are informed by your past.

Coaching may touch on these concepts as you break down your limiting beliefs and examine your blueprint, but its ultimate focus is always on the present and the future.

Difference Two: Goals of the Program

When you look at a coaching vs. therapy practice, it’s important to recognize that therapy helps clients explore and understand their subconscious and unconscious mind. It aims to reach a deep understanding of behaviors and patterns with a goal of overall mental health. This is why therapy can be helpful for issues like depression.

The goal of coaching is to help you get “unstuck”. Coaching is about action and results. Coaches measure their client’s success with key performance indicators and specific behavioral outcomes. They’ll help you set SMART goals, provide accountability, and celebrate your wins – all on the road to achieving your dreams.

Difference Three: Framework

While both coaching and therapy use talk sessions with a trained professional. Many of the similarities in how they are organized end there. Therapy involves more unstructured sessions that are guided by the client as well as the type of therapy. Coaching sessions are much more structured and focused on actionable strategies and visible growth.

The duration of the services also varies. Therapy tends to be a long-term commitment – many people go to therapy for years or even their entire lives. The main difference between a coach and a therapist is that a coach sets clients up with the process and skills they need to eventually coach themselves. Coaching isn’t meant to be forever. Coaches also do not diagnose the people they work with, while therapists determine illnesses and pathologies so their patients can be clinically treated.

Similarities Between A Coach Vs. Therapist

While the answer to “What is therapy?” is very different from what a coach does, there are some similarities. Both work to enable clients to make positive changes in their lives and become more productive. While therapists diagnose and treat from a healthcare perspective, not all therapy clients are ill; many healthy people seek the services of both therapists and coaches. Therapists may work with specific results in mind, such as the cessation of a particular problematic behavior. Despite occasional areas of overlap, the work and processes of therapists and coaches are distinct.

When to Seek out a Coach Vs. Therapist

Naturally, the decision to seek out a coach vs. a therapist is a very personal one. It might help to imagine yourself getting ready to climb a mountain. You could either hire an expert sherpa and guide for your expedition or a doctor. Which will you choose? Which one will be most helpful during your specific journey?

I can help you with

Clarifying Goals

I help individuals identify and articulate their specific objectives and desired outcomes. Clarifying goals as a service involves helping individuals or organizations identify and articulate their specific objectives and desired outcomes, while also providing guidance and support in creating a clear plan of action to achieve them.

Create Action Plans

I help individuals establish specific, measurable goals, and develop a detailed plan of action with clear steps and timelines to achieve those goals.

Identifying Problematic Behaviours

Assisting individuals in recognizing and understanding harmful or counterproductive patterns of behavior, while also offering strategies and resources to address and overcome these issues.

Self Development

Empowering individuals to take ownership of their personal growth and providing them with the tools, resources, and guidance necessary to develop new skills.

Contact Information

Phone: 775-322-6462
Email: cynthia@cjpemail.com
Address: 316 California Ave #134, Reno, NV 89509

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