Look, I know. It can be really easy to confuse coaching and therapy. But there’s some massive differences and we need to explore them before you dive into coaching thinking it will fix all your problems.
The big one
Therapy is usually about healing. That’s the big goal with therapy. It’s usually some sort of clinical setting. Psychotherapists are trained, medically, to deal with mental illness.
Seriously.
Coaches are most definitely not trained in this area.
So, if you think you need help with mental health issues, depression, anxiety, PTSD… go to a psychotherapist. Not a coach.
Hopefully that’s really clear?
After the healing though…
Sometimes therapy and coaching can overlap in terms of time. So it’s entirely possible to see a coach and a therapist at the same time. It’s important to let both professionals know that though.
And where the coach can come in? They’re usually future oriented.
Psychotherapists usually focus on healing from the past. (To be fair to them, it’s kinda hard to heal from things that haven’t happened yet, so healing sort of forces the “past” bit).
Coaches on the other hand are looking to how you will behave in the future.
That’s not to say a good coach can’t help you understand how the past contributes to your today, and how it will continue to influence your future if you don’t tackle it. But it’s usually with the focus of where you want to move from and how we tackle limiting beliefs rather than recovery from mental illness.
Even when you are mentally recovered from illness, there can be a period of coaching needed to train for the future.
Think of it like physio – there’s the initial rehab from the injury, then there’s the work to get better again…
Are you ready to change and grow?
If your answer is yes, then you’re probably ready for a coach. But if you are still seeing a psychotherapist, talk to them about it as well. There’s no shortage of clients for either psychotherapists or coaches in Ireland as far as I can see, so it’s not like they’ll be losing income in giving you good advice.
Not to mention professional ethics – hugely important in both fields!! (You can check out the European Association of Psychotherapy’s ethics guide here)
But, really and truly, are you ready to change and grow?
This isn’t a quick and snippy answer. This is something you need to think about and contemplate – at least for a few minutes. Remember last week’s post on cost vs value? When I ask, are you ready, I’m asking if:
- you have the time and energy to change and grow
- you have the motivation to change and grow
- you have the bandwidth to change and grow
- you have the solid life foundation to change and grow
- you have the support to change and grow
If yes, brilliant, go for it!
But if not, there’s no shame in it. Sometimes, you’re in survival mode and it’s just not possible. Better to be honest with yourself about it!
EngineerHer 
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