Coach or Therapist? That is the question.
As coaching has risen up the ranks of helping professionals and appears now to have a seat at the table many question why and what the difference is between coaching and therapy. They may question if they should seek a therapist or a coach for the growth or change that they are in contemplation of. The answer is yes. If a person is seeking a guiding relationship where they will be encouraged to grow and to change a coach or therapist can do this. There are, however, distinct differences in the structure, the potential purpose, and the cost as well. Let’s get into it.
In a recent publication by Anthony M. Grant, who helped us to digest a long and detailed study of the effectiveness of life coaching conducted in Sydney, Australia, Grant concludes that the continued and growing body of research gives support for evidence-based coaching practices as effective and making positive and important change possible in the coaching profession for clients. He notes the importance of the relationship between the coach and client, that coaching can positively impact both the goal and other areas of the client’s life, and that coaching can enhance mental health and life satisfaction. (Grant, A.M., 2016). Here at Cracked Open we are embracing this new concept of advancement in the field of coaching and are choosing to offer this as an option for our current and future clients.
The vast array of the types of coaches are unique and vary widely. The advantage of coaching is that if there is an identified area of your life that you would like to change or enhance, a coach may be exactly what you are looking for. Coaches focus on the area of need and work with you to encourage and make choices alongside you to change and enhance that area. Coaches are solution focused and tend to be shorter term. Coaches also tend to cost more. Coaches can charge more whereas therapists are governed by their licensed area and are expected to stay within a generalized system of compensation. This also means that coaches can share their work more widely and coach clients that are geographically diverse.
If there is unprocessed trauma, a seeking of clarity, a need for validation and long term relationship, a therapist can do this most effectively. Therapists can also work on solution focused change and use the client’s past experiences and their own theoretical approach to the therapeutic process and relationship. Therapists may have some clients for all or most of their career, for years at a time, or for short solution focused months. The therapeutic process may mimic an important relationship and heal the client through connection and unveiling and growth of self. Change in therapy over time is client dependent. Not every human has the same rate of change, and not every human decides to change. Some choose to stay in the emotions or circumstances for real and personal reasons. The therapist can be in that with them. Therapists also have master’s level or higher education. Important to note though, both coaches and therapists should be well aware of their scope of practice and work within those areas. Otherwise they are not giving the client what they are seeking and need.
At Cracked Open, we are developing a space for both. You can get a coach with a background in therapy and already specialized areas through life and their areas of work. As you seek to answer this question for yourself, know there is always a place for you at Cracked Open in our community. Come heal and change with us.
~ Kristin Morris, MHC, LMHCA
Grant, A. M. (2016). What can Sydney tell us about coaching? Research with implications for practice from down under. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 68(2), 105–117. https://doi-org.forward.marian.edu/10.1037/cpb0000047
