Coaching vs. Therapy

Coaching vs. Therapy: Which Path Is Right for Your Growth Journey?

Different Tools. Shared Goals. Your Personal Evolution.

When you’re seeking support for personal growth, understanding your options is crucial. This guide will help you determine whether coaching or therapy is the right approach for your current needs.

What’s the Difference Between Coaching and Therapy?

At first glance, coaching and therapy can seem similar. Both involve exploring your thoughts and working toward a better version of yourself. But they serve different purposes and are built on different foundations.

Therapy often focuses on healing. It’s about understanding your past, processing trauma, and treating emotional or psychological issues. It’s especially helpful when you’re feeling stuck because of pain, depression, anxiety, or unresolved past wounds.

Coaching, on the other hand, is forward-focused. It’s about aligning your actions with your values, sharpening your sense of purpose, and building momentum toward a better future. It’s for people who are functioning in their daily lives but want to grow, evolve, or get unstuck.

At first glance, coaching and therapy can seem similar. Both involve talking through your experiences, exploring your thoughts, and moving toward a better version of yourself. But they serve different purposes — and are built on different foundations.

Therapy often focuses on healing. It’s about understanding your past, processing trauma, and treating emotional or psychological issues. It’s especially helpful when you’re feeling stuck because of pain, depression, anxiety, or past wounds that haven’t yet been integrated.

Coaching, on the other hand, is forward-focused. It’s about aligning your actions with your values, sharpening your sense of purpose, and building momentum toward a better future. It’s for people who are functioning in their daily lives but want to grow, evolve, or get unstuck.

A Simple Distinction

	Therapy	Coaching
Focus	Past and healing	Present and future
Purpose	Understand and resolve emotional issues	Clarify direction and take strategic action
Approach	Diagnostic and clinical	Strategic and goal-oriented
Typical Tools	Analysis, diagnosis, emotional processing	Reflection, planning, accountability
Best for...	Processing trauma, managing mental health	Building confidence, navigating change, achieving goals
Who Should Choose This Option?	Those dealing with significant emotional pain, trauma, or mental health concerns	Those who are functioning well but feel stuck, unfulfilled, or ready for meaningful change

Where Coaching Picks Up

If you’ve done some therapy before, coaching can be the next chapter — the part where you take what you’ve learned and start building. Coaching doesn’t replace therapy. But for many, it’s the logical next step.

And if you haven’t done therapy? That’s okay too. Many clients come to coaching simply because something in their life isn’t quite right — and they’re ready to do something about it.

How I Use IFS in Coaching

IFS (Internal Family Systems) is a powerful tool used by both therapists and coaches. I use it to help clients get to know the different “parts” of themselves — the ones that push, protect, avoid, judge, or dream — and help them work together in harmony.

Unlike therapy, we won’t be diving deep into trauma or trying to fix wounded parts. But we will get curious about what those parts want, what they’re afraid of, and how they might work better together.

Still Not Sure? That’s Okay.

Choosing a path for growth is a big decision. If you’re wondering whether coaching is right for you, let’s talk. I’m happy to help you figure it out — even if that means referring you to someone else.

Let’s Talk

Coaching vs. Therapy