Skip to main content

The Difference Between Mental Health Coaching and Therapy

 Hello and welcome back to The Therapist Diaries, 

In today’s wellness-focused world, it can be hard to keep track of all the different types of support available. Therapy, life coaching, mental health coaching, sure they all sound helpful, but what exactly sets them apart? Understanding the difference between mental health coaching and therapy is important, especially if you’re looking for the kind of support that best fits your current needs and goals. While both are rooted in a desire to help people live more fulfilling lives, they serve very different purposes and follow different approaches.

Therapy, also known as counseling or psychotherapy, is a clinical service provided by licensed professionals such as LCSWs (In the USA), psychologists, or psychiatrists. It is grounded in evidence-based practices (which means it's tried and tested) and is designed to help people work through emotional pain, mental health diagnoses, and patterns that may stem from past experiences or trauma. Therapists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. Therapy often involves exploring the “why” behind behaviors or feelings, and it focuses on healing, understanding, and emotional growth. It can be long-term or short-term depending on a client’s needs, and it provides a safe, confidential space to process deeply personal issues.

On the other hand, mental health coaching is a non-clinical, forward-focused approach that emphasizes personal development, mindset shifts, and achieving specific goals. Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental illness, but instead, work with individuals who are already functioning relatively well but may feel stuck, unmotivated, or unsure about their next steps in life. Coaching often involves building better habits, creating plans for growth, and increasing self-confidence. Rather than exploring the past, coaching focuses on where you are now and where you want to go, offering accountability and structure along the way.

So how do you know which one is right for you? If you’re experiencing significant emotional distress, struggling with symptoms of a mental health disorder, or feeling overwhelmed by unresolved issues from your past, therapy is likely the most supportive and appropriate choice. But if you’re feeling stable and simply want guidance to make changes, set goals, or improve your overall well-being, mental health coaching could be a helpful option. And the good news is, you don’t have to choose just one. Many people benefit from using both at different times in their lives. You might begin with therapy to heal and later shift to coaching as you work toward personal or professional goals.

The bottom line is this: both therapy and coaching offer valuable support, but they meet you in different places and walk with you in different ways. One isn’t better than the other, it just depends on what you need. The most important step is recognizing that it’s okay to ask for help, and there are many paths to feeling better and living more fully. You deserve support that fits your journey, wherever you are right now.

If you'd like to discuss the differences more or schedule a free short consultation to discuss your needs, options, and resources that might be helpful please reach out to the email below. 

Until next time- be kind to your mind.

—The Therapist Diaries

 

For professional inquiries please reach out to georgina.m.lloyd@outlook.com 

Want to be notified every time we post? Sign Up Here
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome to The Therapist Diaries

Hey there! Welcome to The Therapist Diaries.  I'm Georgina and I'm a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) in Connecticut, USA. This blog is where I’ll be sharing bits and pieces from my life as a clinician — everything from stories (without names, don’t worry!) and interesting things I see in sessions, to cool new research and handy resources that anyone can use. If you’ve ever wondered what therapy really looks like behind the scenes, or you just want some easy-to-understand info about mental health, this is the place for you. I’ll also be chatting about self-care for therapists (because, yep, we need that too!) and sharing tips and tools that can help you manage stress, anxiety, and all the ups and downs life throws at us. Whether you’re thinking about therapy, already seeing a therapist, studying to be one, or just curious — you’re welcome here. I hope this blog feels like a friendly, no-judgment zone where we can learn and grow together. Thanks for stopping by — I’m exc...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why I Became A Clinican

  Hi everyone!  I'm Georgina,  a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) with focus in trauma-informed care. My clinical journey began in Crisis Intervention Services, where I worked with individuals navigating acute emotional and mental health crises. Since then, I’ve gained experience across a wide range of settings, including adult and child residential treatment facilities, hospital Emergency Department care, and outpatient services- notably the Yale Child Study Center created program IICAPS (Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services). I specialize in treating individuals impacted by complex trauma, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and the emotional toll of chronic illness. I have experience with co-occurring disorders, substance use, problematic sexual behaviors, and clients with histories of self-harm or suicidal behaviors. I am trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI). In my individual and group ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stress vs Burnout: How to tell the Difference

  Hello and welcome back to The Therapist Diaries,  Congratulations, you’ve made it through January. However you did that, I’m not here to judge, only to offer a breath of fresh air as we finally step into February… one day closer to Spring! All jokes aside, I found January really stressful. Returning from the holiday period, the beginning of tax season, the lead up to the Super Bowl… there’s just so much going on in one month. This month, I’ve definitely learned  how important it is to take it slow, calm it down, and not let the stress of the season overwhelm us.  Stress and burnout are words we hear and use constantly, often as if they mean the same thing. Many people describe themselves as “burned out” when they’re under a lot of pressure, while others say they’re “just stressed” when what they’re experiencing runs much deeper. Although the two are connected, they aren’t interchangeable, and knowing the difference matters. What helps relieve stress doesn’t always ...
Post a Comment
Read more