What are the differences between coaching & psychotherapy?

The short answer

Coaching emphasizes forward movement toward measurable goals while psychotherapy often looks backwards and inward to gain a deeper understanding on self.

The long answer

Because I am trained in both disciplines, I will often blend techniques and knowledge. 

Therapy and coaching share certain traits and goals. Both support clients to make positive changes in their lives and become more productive. Both help you recognize personal obstacles to progress and help you move beyond them.  Both are client-centered, meaning that the objectives are determined by the client, not the professional. However, there are some significant differences...

In therapy, we often talk about past experiences and traumas in order to understand self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships and work through painful feelings.  People often come to therapy because they are anxious, depressed, grieving or going through a major transition.  Sometimes therapy is action-oriented, and sometimes it is not. It just depends.  Therapy does not begin with a specific amount of sessions.

In coaching, the client and coach work collaboratively in order to clarify values and goals and then create an action plan with specific steps. Along the way, we will anticipate obstacles and develop strategies to get around or through them. The process of coaching is initially very introspective and then it is all about action. Coaching is generally a set number of sessions, but you can always opt for more.

If you still have questions about the difference or how you would prefer to work together, we can chat about it and figure that out together.