Coaching vs. Therapy: Why They’re Both Powerful… but Not the Same

If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I need a coach or a therapist?” you’re not alone. Many people hit a point in their lives where they know something needs to change…but they’re not sure what kind of support would actually help.

Here’s the simplest breakdown:

• Therapy helps you understand and heal from the past.

• Coaching helps you create your future.

Both are powerful. Both matter. But they serve different purposes.

Therapy Looks Backward. Coaching Moves Forward.

Therapy focuses on:

• Past experiences

• Emotional processing and healing

• Patterns rooted in trauma or unresolved pain

• Diagnosing and treating mental health conditions

It’s essential when a person needs to explore why something is affecting them.

Coaching focuses on:

• Where you are now

• Where you want to go

• What needs to shift to help you move forward

• Setting goals and building accountability

A therapist often goes into the root of the wound. A coach helps you break the loop that keeps you from stepping into what's next.

Therapy helps you make peace with what was. Coaching helps you create what will be.

A Quick Visual:

Therapy	Coaching
Looks to the past	Focused on the future
Healing and processing	Action and progress
Diagnosis + treatment plan	Clarity + accountability
“Why am I like this?”	“What do I want next?”

Different tools. Different outcomes. Both valuable.

My Role as an ICF-Aligned Coach: I Walk Beside You — Not Ahead of You

There’s a misconception that coaches are supposed to give advice.

No. Not in ICF-aligned coaching and not in my practice.

You are the expert of your own life. I help you access that expertise.

I don’t tell you what to do or try to “fix” you. Nothing about you is broken.

How I Work With Clients (ICF-Aligned + Partnership-Based)

When we work together, I don’t lead from the front — I walk beside you.

Here’s what that partnership looks like:

• You set the agenda. Each session is focused on what matters to you, not what I think should matter.

• We look forward, not backward. We clarify where you want to go and identify what will move the needle.

• I ask questions that reveal clarity you didn’t know was hiding.

• You choose your action steps. Insight without action is just mental clutter.

My style is:

• Direct (without being harsh)

• Compassionate (without enabling excuses)

• Focused on real progress (not endless talking)

Can Someone Have Both a Therapist and a Coach?

Absolutely — and many do.

Some clients work with a therapist to heal the past and work with me to build the future.

Different roles. Complementary outcomes.

How You Know Coaching Is Right for You

You might be ready for coaching if you’re thinking things like:

• “I’m functioning, but I’m not fulfilled.”

• “I know I’m capable of more — I just don’t know where to start.”

• “I’m tired of circling the same ideas without taking action.”

You’re not lost. You’re just ready for your next chapter and need clarity to step into it.

Ready to Move From Thinking About Change to Making It Happen?

If you’re ready to stop replaying the same story and start writing the next one, coaching can help.

Book an individual session or learn more on a Discovery Call.

Your future isn’t something you “find." It's something you create.