Therapy vs. Coaching: What’s the Difference and Which Path Should You Choose? 🌟

Hello friend! 

Since recently opening my private practice for 1:1 therapy and coaching – I’ve been getting a lot of questions about these two offerings when clients are exploring personal growth and well-being options. 

The question often arises: What the heck’s the actual difference between therapy and coaching, and which is for me? 🤔

Both approaches offer unique benefits and can significantly impact your journey toward health, fulfillment and balance. Understanding the difference between therapy and coaching can help you choose the right path. So, let’s dive into how each works and which might be best for you!

Therapy: Tailored Treatment for Significant Challenges 🩺

Therapy provides a structured treatment plan focused on addressing your specific goals and challenges based on symptoms. This often involves reducing or managing those symptoms or skill gaps that are causing significant disruption in your daily life. Here’s a closer look at what therapy can offer:

1. Clear Diagnosis: Therapists use well-established diagnostic tools like the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to inform treatment. This ensures that symptoms are accurately addressed and operates from a medical necessity standpoint.

2. Evidence-Based Approaches: Your progress is tracked using scientifically backed methods that have been extensively researched and tested. This provides a solid foundation for measuring any struggles or improvements.

3. State Licensing and Professional Standards: Therapists are licensed by state boards (and most vary widely in what they require) and must adhere to strict ethical guidelines. This has the goal of security a high standard of professionalism and safety and can also be quite limiting as therapist who move often have to relicense (this sometimes includes accruing 1500-3000 hours all over again).

4. The “Aloof Professional” Stance: While therapists care deeply about their clients, they maintain a boundary that limits personal sharing. The theory behind this is it helps keep the focus entirely on the client.

Coaching: Inspiring Growth and Creating Lasting Change  🌱

Coaching, on the other hand, is a less structured but highly empowering approach. It’s not about diagnosing problems or prescribing treatment. Instead, coaching focuses on inspiring you to tap into your inner wisdom & strengths, build resilience, and create meaningful change in your life:

1. No Diagnosis or Treatment Plans: Unlike therapy, coaching isn’t based on medical necessity or a diagnosis. This makes it more flexible and accessible if you’re looking for growth without clinical constructs.

2. Certification and Authentic Relationships: Coaches are certified through various training organizations, emphasizing relationship-building through authenticity and personal experience. This relatable approach offers hope and encouragement by demonstrating that transformation and lasting change is possible.

3. Holistic and Innovative Tools: Coaching blends evidence-based tools with holistic and ancient practices. This unique mix allows for creativity in your growth journey, letting you choose what resonates best with you.

4. Unrestricted by Location: One of the best parts of coaching is that it’s not tied down to a specific place or state. You can work with your coach across the country—or even internationally!

Which Path Should You Choose? 🤷

So, therapy or coaching, there ya have it…but which one should you pick? Honestly, the choice boils down to your personal needs and goals:

• Consider Therapy if: You’re experiencing significant distress that’s interfering with your daily life, or if you suspect that you may have a diagnosable condition that requires expert support. Therapy offers the structural oversight to address such issues.

• Consider Coaching if: You’re already functioning well but want to make meaningful life changes or uncover new strengths. Coaching is ideal if you’re looking for encouragement and inspiration to help you feel more whole and connected to yourself, in your personal or professional life.

Conclusion: Let’s Connect! 📲

There’s a place for both therapy and coaching in the world of personal growth and healing. I’ve been a therapist for over 30 years, so I get absolutely see value in what I’ve done for that long! I’ve also healed and offered healing through coaching and the power of connection and transformation continues to astound me.

Whichever path you choose, make sure it’s the one that aligns with your current needs and goals. If you want more insight into mental health tools, skills, and courses—or just want to chat more about therapy vs. coaching—follow me on Instagram @shannanblumft.

If you’re interested in working with me 1:1, just give a quick response to this email and we can hop on a free consult together. I’m taking new 1:1 clients both in Texas (hybrid) and across the country (virtual), am working on digital memberships if you just want healing content. I’m also developing VIP Retreats for whole-self healing in November, so that’ll be really powerful. 

I’d love to connect and support you on your journey to whole-self acceptance and connection. ReClaim, ReConnect, ReBuild!

❤️In Health & Wholeness,

Shannan
FB/IG/TT @shannanblummft
909-270-1729
Coaching Services