What is Coaching and How Does it Differ from Therapy?

I wanted to answer a Frequently Asked Question.

Coaching is a collaborative, dynamic process. Though it draws on many of the principles and practices that therapy does, there are some distinct differences. While we’ll dive into some cognitive-based tools and somatic practices, coaching does not diagnose or prescribe. We’ll use psychology-based tools and information to help you move out of a rut and closer towards your vision for well-being and recovery, but this is not a place to dive deeply into the past, into traumas (though we all have them, and they shape who we are today). While therapy and counseling focus on healing the past and learning from it, coaching is geared more towards the present and the future – how can we begin to set goals and move closer to your overarching vision?

As a certified health & wellness coach, I serve as a guide to help you dig deep and craft your ideal version of well-being in a variety of dimensions. You are in the driver’s seat. I am here to spark introspection, ask questions, and help you find that internal compass, the reserve of wisdom you already possess. We’ll touch on topics related to health & wellness, recovery, and emotions that might naturally arise from time to time. This is a safe space to be and feel exactly as you are, and with that in mind, we’ll use that as a lens to create the path forward into what feels most aligned. 

I am a trauma-informed coach, but I am not a therapist or licensed mental health, eating disorder, or addiction professional. My network includes many people in this area, and I am happy to make referrals if you feel you would benefit from a higher level of care. Can you work with BOTH a coach and a therapist? YES! For many people, having a bigger team on board is crucial – someone to help you unpack the past and heal the tough stuff and someone to help you set goals and move forward in creating your ideal life. 

In coaching, the best work is done when you have a solid foundation under your feet, when you’ve moved out of survival mode. When you are at a solid place with the groundwork, there’s more energy to pour into crafting your future and doing the deeper, more nuanced wellness work. 

You hold your own wisdom. It’s my honor to help you distill that and feel out what will work best for you in your own becoming, in your own evolution.