I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). I earned my Master’s Degree, passed state exams, and have accumulated well over 5,000 hours of clinical practice.
I am also an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Coach. I’ve completed over a year and a half of formal coaching education, mentorship, submitted recorded audio for feedback, and passed the certification exam.
I live in two healing worlds and I love them both—but what exactly is the difference?
Therapy
Therapy typically lasts for an indefinite period of time, often spanning years, depending on the individual’s needs. If health insurance is involved, a mental health diagnosis (from the DSM-V) is required. In therapy, a treatment plan is created with goals focused on symptom reduction, and various assessment tools are used to determine the onset, frequency, severity, intensity, duration, and impairment of life functioning caused by symptoms.
Key aspects of therapy include:
- Progress Notes: After every session, therapists document current symptom presentation, progress toward treatment goals, Mental Status Exam (MSE), specific therapeutic interventions used, client receptivity to interventions, and any homework assignments or plans for the next session.
- Collateral Sessions: Therapists may involve family members, other healthcare providers, emergency services, or legal parties in treatment when necessary.
- Therapist’s Role: As a therapist, I set the tone for the sessions and direct the flow of treatment. This process relies heavily on psychoeducation, coping skills development, and recommendations for resources or referrals. The goal is to identify patterns of behavior and make changes that reduce symptoms over time.
Coaching
While therapy is often long-term, coaching tends to be a short-term, goal-oriented relationship. The length of coaching sessions is determined by the client, typically through packages of 6, 12, or 18 sessions, depending on the goals to be achieved. Most coaching sessions are paid out-of-pocket by the client or covered by an employer as part of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Key aspects of coaching include:
- Client-Driven: The client determines the goal of coaching, what a productive session looks like, and the overall pace of the process. Coaching is inherently solution-focused and future-oriented.
- Open-Ended Questions: Coaching involves asking powerful, non-judgmental questions that encourage self-reflection and insight. The process is open and gives clients the space to explore their intuition and make empowered decisions.
- No Diagnosis or Treatment Plans: Coaching does not involve diagnosing or developing treatment plans. Instead, we focus on present and future success, with no formal progress notes required. Many coaches keep a working document that tracks goals, progress, and wins, which can be edited and shared with the client.
- Tools & Resources: Recommendations or tools are offered only upon the client’s request, allowing for a tailored approach to their needs.
Different Energy
The energy I bring into therapy and coaching is different. In therapy, I am in assessment mode—I focus on understanding the details, exploring the specifics of a client’s experience, and teaching new skills or explaining therapeutic theories. I desperately want them to feel better am I’m trying everything within my power to help.
In coaching, the atmosphere is more relaxed. I ask powerful questions, acknowledge the client’s progress, and support them in trusting their intuition. I don’t have to have all the answers and I don’t have to fix anyone. The focus is on the client being whole and complete in who they are, moving forward with purpose and clarity.
Both spaces are incredibly meaningful to me, but I recognize that I show up differently in each.
Which space do you prefer?