“Do something nice for yourself today. Find some quiet, sit in stillness, breathe. Put your problems on pause. You deserve a break.” – Akiroq Brost
Coaching can often feel like therapy and therapy can often feel like coaching. The two are important and can be intertwined but they also need to be separated. They aren’t the same thing and they shouldn’t be treated as the same.
Coaching
The definition of coaching is to train or instruct. It is forward and present-looking. Focusing on solutions and the client, the person being coached, is often the leader. The client knows what they want and they go somewhere to find the help they need to get there. Coaching is action and goal-driven, creating the steps towards your goals. It typically supports your career, life, health, or performance goals.
Therapy
The definition of therapy is “treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder.” It’s focus is on the past and attacked the root cause of an issue. Therapy is traditionally led by the therapist whether in the conversation, EMDR, or some other way. Its intentions are for the healing of your past to benefit your present self and strongly focuses on mental health.
Conclusion
Although both coaching and therapy give you actionable items for your current self they’re focused on different areas. They’re thought wanted to progress your life and approached in different manners. It’s important to find the right medium for you, whether it be coaching, therapy, or something else.