Coaching and therapy are distinct practices, each with its own focus, goals, and methodologies. While there may be some overlap in the skills used by coaches and therapists depending on their own training, the primary differences lie in their purposes, time orientation, and the nature of the issues they address. 

• Coaching: Focuses on helping individuals or groups achieve specific goals, enhance performance, and maximize their potential. It is forward-looking, action-oriented, and often centered around personal or professional development. It may address the past to better understand the present.

• Therapy (Counseling): Primarily addresses mental health issues and focus is on diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Therapy explores the past, present, and future.

• Coaching: Typically 6 months to a year

• Therapy: Can last long- term for many years

• Coaching: Generally deals with a broad range of topics, including career development, leadership skills, communication, relationships, and personal growth.

• Therapy: Primarily addresses mental health and psychological disorders such as ADHD, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Personality Disorders, Eating Disorders, Conduct Disorders, Sexual Disorders, etc.

• Coaching: Coaches usually focus on building their clients’ hidden potentials, strengths, and empowering them. Coaching process is not clinically oriented.

• Therapy: Therapists are trained to work with clients dealing with a range of clinical psychological issues such as ADHD, Personality Disorders, Substance use Disorders, Depressive Disorders, PTSD, Eating Disorders, Sexual Disorders, etc.

• Coaching: The coaching relationship is often considered more collaborative, with the coach serving as a guide or facilitator to help the client achieve their goals. Some coaches like myself are depth-oriented due to additional training in the field of psychology and counseling.

• Therapy: The therapeutic relationship may involve a more in-depth exploration of the client’s emotions and past experiences, with the therapist providing insights, interpretations, and support.