Wellness Coaching vs. Therapy
Hi, I'm Liz Moser, a Mayo Clinic and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.
Do you need to hire a coach or a therapist? What are the similarities? What are the differences? How do you know which professional will support you and your needs the best? By the time you finish this blog my aim is for you to have all the knowledge you need to make the best decision for you and your goals.
First off, it’s been said both coaching and therapy are ‘the art and science of facilitating behavior change.’ (Jordan 2013, p.20)
Furthermore, ‘the field of wellness coaching has become increasingly sophisticated as it draws from a growing body of evidence-based psychology, (including) positive psychology, adult learning theory, motivational interviewing (what I was taught at the Mayo Clinic), and new findings in neuroscience." (Jordan 2013, p.20).
Coaching and therapy have similar goals such as behavior change, enhanced decision making, and better resource use, yet only psychologists are "trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders."(Jordan 2013, p.20) I’ll repeat that: both fields have similar goals, yet only psychologists are trained in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health issues.
Coaches and psychologists use some of the same approaches, such as positive psychology, mindfulness, motivational interviewing (MI), strengths-based focus, solution-oriented focus, professional conduct, and ethics. Although, ethics are rigorous in both fields, in psychology, crossing the ethical boundary is unlawful. In other words, ‘protecting the client's confidentiality and keeping agreements are important in coaching but legally required in therapy.’(Hart 2001, p.233)
An apparent difference between coaching and therapy is the training requirements. Psychologists require 6-7 years vs. several months for a coach. Also, client expectations differ. In therapy, clients ‘expect to explore connections among emotions, beliefs, past experiences, behaviors and bodily health.’ (Jordan 2013, p.23) While in coaching, ‘clients recognize they need assistance to accomplish goals involving health habits, wellness, exercise, weight, nutrition, stress management, or general health.’ (Jordan 2013, p.23) In therapy, clients explore connections among emotions, beliefs, and past experiences, while in coaching, clients seek assistance in accomplishing health and wellness goals.
Coaches evoke and inquire while therapists can intervene. ‘It takes an experienced coach to recognize that something is amiss and that therapy, not coaching, is appropriate."(Jordan 2013, p.26) Coaches use provocative questioning, while therapists create safety for their clients. Put another way ‘therapists seek to comfort the afflicted. In coaching, however, the coach is often called upon to afflict the comfortable!’ (Jordan 2013, p.24) Yes, I sometimes have to push my clients out of their comfort zones!
People are complex, and mental health issues must be treated with caution. Therefore, creating, maintaining, and communicating professional coaching boundaries are vital and recognizing warning signs such as ‘depression, anxiety attacks, alcohol or drug addictions, personality disorders, and paranoia’ (Hart 2001, p.232) and then referring that patient to a trained psychologist is essential for any coach.
Both coaching and therapy share a growing body of evidence-based psychology, have similar goals, yet only psychologists can diagnose and treat mental health issues. Therapy and coaching have identical approaches such as positive psychology and mindfulness, including professional conduct and ethics, Although, in psychology, crossing the ethical boundary is unlawful. In therapy, clients explore connections among emotions, beliefs, past experiences, behaviors, and bodily health. During coaching, ‘clients recognize they need assistance to accomplish goals involving health habits, or general health.’
Although there are many overlaps between therapy and coaching, I believe the main difference is that therapy is fundamentally about healing past wounds or traumas and current mental health diagnoses. While coaching is more future goal-oriented. My clients seek a space to define their desired future self, and then they are looking for the accountability and support to make their vision of a healthier, happier person a reality.
I’m Liz Moser, a Mayo Clinic and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and thank you for reading this blog on the similarities and differences between therapy and coaching. If you have any questions about this blog, health, and wellness, or wellness coaching with me, please reach out via my website at lizmosercoaching.com.
Bye for now, and be well,
Liz
References:
Jordan, M., Livingstone, J.B., (2013). Coaching vs. Psychotherapy in Health and Wellness: Overlap, Dissimilarities, and the Potential for Collaboration
Hart, V., Blattner, J., Leipsic, S., (2001). Coaching Versus Therapy: A Perspective retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/cpb-1061-4087-53-4-229.pdf
