I’ve recently been getting questions about the difference between psychotherapy and coaching so I thought I’d share some thoughts to help clarify.
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is the treatment of an individual’s serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception, or memory that may seriously impair the individual’s judgment, insight, behaviour, communication, or social functioning. It is delivered through the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client. Psychotherapy is a legally restricted act that can only be performed by a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, registered social worker, or registered psychotherapist. It typically delves into a person’s past experiences, traumas, and thought patterns to uncover underlying causes of distress. The therapeutic process often employs evidence-based techniques like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness practices to help individuals manage symptoms, develop coping strategies, and achieve personal growth. Psychotherapy is well-suited for individuals dealing with conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and personality disorders.
Life Coaching: Life coaching is a guidance-oriented approach that aims to assist individuals in achieving personal and professional goals, enhancing their overall life satisfaction, and unlocking their potential. Life coaches are not required to have formal mental health training, and the focus of coaching is often on the present and future rather than delving deeply into the past. Coaches work with clients to identify their aspirations, create action plans, and provide motivation and accountability to help clients achieve their objectives. Life coaching draws from various self-improvement methodologies, positive psychology principles, and practical strategies to empower clients in areas such as career, relationships, health, and personal development.
Key Differences:
Training and Credentials: Psychotherapists are licensed mental health professionals who undergo extensive education (usually a 3-year master’s-level program) and training to treat mental health disorders. Coaching, as an industry, is unregulated, so there are no formal requirements or specific training for a person to become a life coach.
Accreditation and Regulation: Psychotherapy is a regulated profession. This means that in order to practice, a therapist must be registered with a governing board such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). There are no governing boards for life or success coaches, as coaches are not healthcare professionals.
Focus and Depth: Psychotherapy tends to delve deeper into an individual’s emotional and psychological history to better understand and address the underlying issues such as traumas that are causing the challenges and blockages today. In contrast, life coaching primarily concentrates on the present and future, emphasizing goal setting and action planning.
Scope of Issues: Psychotherapy is useful for individuals with diagnosed mental health disorders or severe emotional challenges. Life coaching is more focused on personal development, goal achievement, and enhancing specific areas of one’s life, making it suitable for individuals without severe mental health concerns. That being said, once stability has been reached, therapists often support their clients in their future goals while continuing to build on strengths and resources.
Approach to Clients: Psychotherapists often use evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help clients explore and process emotions, whereas life coaches adopt a more action-oriented approach, guiding clients through practical steps to achieve their desired outcomes.
In essence, while both psychotherapy and life coaching aim to help individuals lead more fulfilling lives, they do so with different methods and focus areas. Psychotherapy is centered around healing and addressing psychological distress, while life coaching is geared towards self-improvement and goal attainment.