Coaching vs Therapy

You will find many definitions of coaching and comparisons of coaching vs. therapy. Because I follow the client and their goals, the work naturally includes a large element of coaching.  Coaching is within the scope of a therapist, but therapy is not within the scope of a coach.  See the page on coaching  for a list of areas that would be appropriate for coaching-only work.  

Some important distinctions between coaching and therapy are included below.  

Coaching Defined

What follows are two definitions of coaching, one from the International Coach Federation (ICF) and one from the International Association of Coaches (IAC).  

Coaching is (ICF definition): the future-focused practice of partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Professional coaching focuses on setting goals, creating outcomes, and managing personal change.

Coaching is (IAC definition): a transformative process for personal and professional awareness, discovery and growth.  According to the IFC, a coach is responsible for discovering, clarifying, and aligning with what the client wants to achieve; encouraging client self-discovery; eliciting client-generated solutions and strategies; and holding the clients responsible and accountable for meeting goals and creating outcomes.

Limits to Scope of Coaching

Coaches do not diagnose or treat any mental health disorder or medical disease.  The following are not the focus of coaching sessions and are instead proper for work with a licensed mental health or medical professional:  past traumas; mood disorders; self harm (including severe self neglect) or suicidal ideation, aggression and harm of others, serious addiction or harmful habits, or serious relationship issues.

Coaching is not behavioral health treatment, counseling, or psychotherapy and is not a substitute for any of these.  Coaching does not diagnose, prevent or treat any mental health disorder or medical illness as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.  In the course of coaching work, a coach may recommend that a client seek the support of a trained therapist.  A coach may also identify specific content that comes up in the course of a coaching session that is outside of the scope of coaching. 

Confidentiality, Privacy, and Limitations 

Coaching is not therapy and does not fall within the same limits and protections of confidentiality.  While, in general the content of coaching is held in privacy and not shared, it does not fall under HIPPA* guidelines or under legal agreements (eg. client-privilege).  This is different from medical or legal protections of privacy.