Therapy: Therapy often focuses on healing, addressing past traumas, and managing mental health challenges. The goal is to help individuals achieve emotional and psychological well-being, often by exploring the root causes of distress and working through unresolved issues. Therapists are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions and support clients in navigating crises or challenges that affect their day-to-day functioning.

Coaching: Coaching is future-oriented and goal-driven, emphasizing personal growth, skill-building, and achieving specific outcomes. Coaches work with clients to identify their strengths, clarify goals, and create actionable steps to move forward. The focus is on unlocking potential, fostering self-awareness, and building resilience rather than addressing deep emotional wounds or mental health conditions.

Therapy: Therapists are trained and licensed mental health professionals equipped to address a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship conflicts. Therapy often involves exploring emotions, patterns, and behaviors in depth to promote healing and lasting change.

Coaching: Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, they guide clients in overcoming obstacles, improving performance, and achieving personal or professional goals. Coaching is appropriate for individuals who are generally emotionally stable and seeking growth rather than treatment.

Therapy: Therapy often involves evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, or somatic therapy, depending on the therapist’s training and the client’s needs. Sessions may delve into past experiences to understand their impact on present behavior and emotions.

Coaching: Coaching uses techniques like goal-setting, accountability structures, action planning, and motivational strategies, though can also similarly include somatic coaching which helps support wholeness, growth, and connection. Sessions typically focus on identifying solutions, leveraging strengths, and creating forward momentum.

Therapy: The therapist-client relationship is therapeutic and supportive, with the therapist acting as a guide and expert in mental health. The power dynamic is often more structured, as therapists are trained to create a safe space for exploring difficult emotions and experiences.

Coaching: The coach-client relationship is collaborative and often peer-like. Coaches serve as partners and facilitators, encouraging clients to take ownership of their growth while providing guidance and accountability.

Therapy:

• Therapists (e.g., psychologists, counselors, social workers) are required to hold licenses issued by state regulatory boards.

• Licenses are based on formal education (e.g., master’s or doctoral degrees), supervised clinical experience, and passing state or national exams.

• Therapists must adhere to strict legal and ethical guidelines defined by licensing boards, including confidentiality, informed consent, and scope of practice.

• Therapists are legally accountable for providing mental health treatment and can face consequences, such as license suspension, for violations.

Coaching:

• Coaching is not a regulated profession. Coaches are not required to hold specific licenses or certifications to practice.

• Many coaches voluntarily pursue certifications through professional organizations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF), but these are not legally mandated.

• The lack of regulation means coaching practices are governed by general business laws rather than a specific professional code.

Therapy:

• Therapists are bound by laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the U.S., which governs the confidentiality and protection of client records.

• Therapists are required to maintain detailed clinical records and are obligated to protect client information unless disclosure is legally required (e.g., duty to warn, reporting abuse).

Coaching:

• Coaches are not legally bound by HIPAA or similar laws unless they work in a setting where such regulations apply (e.g., coaching within a healthcare organization).

• Confidentiality in coaching is based on the coach-client agreement rather than legal mandates. Coaches should establish clear boundaries and confidentiality expectations in contracts.

Therapy:

• Therapists can face legal liability for malpractice if they fail to meet professional standards of care, which includes both ethical and clinical guidelines.

• Therapists have a duty to report certain risks, such as harm to self or others, and may face legal consequences if they fail to act.

Coaching:

• Coaches are liable for general business malpractice (e.g., breach of contract, misrepresentation) but not for clinical malpractice unless they are practicing beyond their scope.

• Coaches are encouraged to clearly state in contracts and marketing materials that they do not provide therapy, diagnosis, or treatment to mitigate liability risks.

Therapy:

• Therapists are licensed to practice in specific states or regions and generally cannot provide services to clients outside their licensed jurisdiction unless they meet the legal requirements of the other jurisdiction.

• Telehealth laws have expanded some cross-state practices, but these are highly regulated.

Coaching:

• Coaching is not restricted by jurisdictional boundaries, allowing coaches to work with clients across states or countries without additional licensing requirements.

Therapists are licensed and regulated mental health professionals authorized to diagnose and treat psychological conditions, with strict legal and ethical obligations.

Coaches operate in an unregulated field, focusing on personal development and goal achievement, with fewer legal constraints but less protection for clients.