Coaching vs Therapy – What’s the diff?
When you’re seeking a better mental life, you might wonder whether life coaching or therapy is the right choice. Both promise improvement, but they differ significantly in approach and outcome. As a licensed psychotherapist with over two decades of experience, I often see people confused by these terms, especially when many therapists, myself included, also offer life coaching. Let’s break down the difference between coaching vs therapy, focusing on evidence-based psychotherapy and self-exploratory depth psychotherapy, to help you decide which aligns with your goals.
Coaching: Tools for Symptom Relief
Coaching is straightforward—it’s about advice and action. A coach provides tools, techniques, and protocols to manage specific symptoms or achieve short-term goals. Think of it as learning mindset shifts or behavioral strategies to tackle issues like anxiety, procrastination, or low motivation. This approach often aligns with evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which are popular because they’re “cost-effective.”
Evidence-based therapies focus on reducing specific symptoms, often within a few months. You might fill out a questionnaire, and your therapist teaches you strategies proven in studies to lower your symptom score. For example, if you’re struggling with anxious thoughts, you might learn reframing techniques to reduce their intensity. Insurance companies love these methods because they’re measurable and time-limited.
But here’s the catch: while coaching or evidence-based therapy can lower symptoms, it doesn’t always address the deeper reasons your life doesn’t feel meaningfully better. If you’ve tried online tips, apps, coaching sessions or even evidence-based therapies and still feel stuck, it’s time to consider why you’re not acting on what you know could improve your life.
Therapy: Exploring the “Why” Behind Your Struggles
This is where psychotherapy, particularly self-exploratory depth psychotherapy, shines. Unlike coaching, therapy isn’t about handing you a playbook. It’s about understanding WHY you don’t “just do” the things that would make your life better—or why you keep doing things that hold you back.
It’s about understanding WHY you don’t “just do” the things that would make your life better
For example, you might know you should exercise, eat healthier, or set boundaries, but something stops you. A coach might say, “Just follow this plan,” assuming you’ll comply. A depth psychotherapist, however, knows there’s a reason you’re not acting, and that reason needs exploration. Maybe it’s fear of failure, unresolved trauma, or a lack of self-worth. Therapy helps you build honest, self-loving awareness, enabling you to think, act, and relate to others effectively for the long haul.
Depth psychotherapy isn’t about quick fixes. It’s a process that fosters lasting change by addressing the root causes of your struggles. Unlike evidence-based approaches, it doesn’t prioritize symptom checklists or standardized protocols. Instead, it’s tailored to your unique story, helping you navigate the complex emotions and patterns that shape your life.
Why the Confusion Between Coaching vs Therapy?
Since the 1970s, evidence-based therapies have dominated mental health care, driven by their measurable outcomes and insurance-friendly timelines. This shift has blurred the line between coaching and therapy, with many therapists trained primarily in symptom-focused methods. Some even expect clients to follow their advice like “good” students, which can feel frustrating if you’re seeking deeper understanding.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, thinking, “I know what I should do, but I’m not doing it,” you’re not alone. That frustration signals a need for therapy, not more coaching. A skilled depth psychotherapist won’t assume you’re just failing to follow advice—they’ll help you explore what’s holding you back.
Choosing the Right Path for You
Deciding between coaching vs therapy depends on your goals. If you want quick tools to manage specific symptoms, coaching or evidence-based therapy might be enough. But if you’re seeking lasting change—a life that feels meaningfully better—depth psychotherapy is the way to go. It’s about building a foundation of self-awareness that empowers you to live authentically and effectively, long after therapy ends.
Not all therapists are trained in depth psychotherapy (AKA psychodynamic psychotherapy), so ask about their approach before starting. If you’re ready to explore the “why” behind your struggles, seek someone experienced in long-term, self-exploratory methods.
