What is the difference between counseling and coaching?

The most important thing I can say is that there is a great deal of overlap between counselors and coaches.  Your experience in session can be very similar in counseling and in coaching because every counselor and every coach have their own style.  They all have their own approach. Also, they have their own level of experience, knowledge, and training for working with your personal situation and the life challenges you bring to the session.

Things that counselors and life coaches have in common:

·       They all offer support.

·       Usually, they can teach you how to increase many of those things that can make your life easier and more joyful.  Things like having better boundaries, more self-awareness, increased self-confidence, and self-esteem.

·       They should work collaboratively with you to clarify your values and choose the goals that would create the most improvement in your life.

·       They all set up a framework and markers for reaching your goals. 

·       They all can provide homework to implement what was learned in session, practice new skills, and, over time, create new habits.

·       Counselors are trained to nurture the therapeutic relationship.  They understand the importance of active listening, being authentic, empathic, and nonjudgmental as cornerstones to therapy.  I believe a good coach, with training, can do this as well.

·       A good counselor understands what is supported by research. They keep their knowledge and skills current so they can offer their clients the best education and the most effective interventions.  While coaches don’t use therapeutic interventions, they can read research, learn from experts, and attend trainings too. A good coach can incorporate high level client education into their services as well.

·       Both counselors and coaches need to be able to help you identify what your personal obstacles are and help you develop a plan for working through those. 

·       Most counselors and coaches respect the client’s autonomy and their right to self-determination. They work from the premise that we are each capable and personally responsible for shaping our own life.

Differences between counselors and life coaches:

·       A counselor is required to complete a graduate degree or a post graduate degree in a field related to counseling. Most states require the degree program to be accredited.  The national standard is for accreditation is from Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).  CACREP sets the bar for how many hours of education, practicum and internship are required for graduation.  CACREP also describes what classes the degree plan must include.  For example, CACREP requires all students to take courses in assessment, group counseling, cultural diversity, and ethics, among other things.  Also, CACREP requires a comprehensive exit exam.

There are certification programs for life coaches.  However, they are not required. A coach is not required to have any type of undergraduate, graduate or post graduate degree or coursework.

·       A counselor must also be licensed by the state they practice in.  They must complete a second internship for the state.  They may need to pass a second comprehensive exam. The state sets requirements for ongoing professional education that a counselor must meet. Also, many states require mandatory training every time counselors renew their license.  This additional training is for things like, reporting child abuse/elder abuse, understanding human trafficking and state laws and ethics.

There is no required licensing for coaches.

·       A counselor is regulated by the state.  There is a state level ethics committee for accountability.  Every time a counselor renews their license, they must report if they have been involved in any crimes or lawsuits.  The state can evaluate the circumstances of each situation to decide if that merits review, or possibly, sanctions.

A coach is not accountable to any regulatory entity.  Coaching is treated more like a small business.

·       Because of the above differences in education and training, the biggest difference in counseling and coaching is the focus of the services.  Counselors may view what they are hearing and seeing from you through a different lens. For example, counselors can make a diagnosis. While they do set goals, they also create treatment plans.  They can consider symptoms, profiles, patterns, the natural history of your diagnosis, the most typical course it takes, and implement evidence-based interventions.

(It’s important to note that using evidence-based treatments is considered best practices. Counselors are encouraged to use these types of treatments. However, counselors are not required to do so.  Also, they are not sanctioned for using techniques that are not supported by the scientific literature.)

·       Some therapists offer skills training.  They are prepared to work with mental health conditions so they may focus on things like coping skills and emotional self-regulation.  Coaches can also provide skills training, but they may focus more on practical life skills like assertiveness training or improving your communication skills.

·       Is the focus on the past, present or future?

Counselors tend to focus on healing and resolution, so they may explore your past. For example, your history relating to past trauma or abuse. They can focus on the past, the present and the future.

Coaches tend to focus on the present and the future.

·       The most common types of therapy are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and, what we call, “Third Wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapies”, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT), Reality Therapy, or Mindfulness. All these therapies share CBT foundations.  Therefore, counseling usually addresses, cognition, (your thoughts), and your behaviors.  Also, counselors address how your emotions are related to your thoughts and behaviors.

Coaches may focus more on actions and outcomes.

I think it bears repeating that, depending on the training, experience, and style of the professional you are working with, and the things you would like to work on, there can be more or fewer differences or similarities in your experience with a counselor or a life coach.

Schedule your free consultation.  Let’s talk about how I can help to meet your needs.