| Focus |
Future-oriented: helps clients set and achieve specific goals. |
Past and present-oriented: addresses emotional healing and mental health issues. |
| Approach |
Action-based: emphasizes strategies, planning, and performance enhancement. |
Insight-based: focuses on understanding emotional patterns, behaviors, and mental health. |
| Goals |
Improvement in specific areas like career, relationships, or personal growth. |
Healing from psychological distress, managing mental health conditions, and improving overall well-being. |
| Client Base |
Typically high-functioning individuals seeking growth or improvement. |
Individuals dealing with mental health issues, trauma, or significant emotional distress. |
| Techniques |
Goal-setting, accountability, motivational interviewing, and strategic planning. |
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, and other therapeutic techniques. |
| Duration |
Often short-term, focused on achieving specific objectives. |
Can be long-term, depending on the severity of issues and progress in therapy. |
| Professional Background |
Coaches may have certification in specific coaching methods but do not necessarily have clinical training. |
Therapists have formal education, licensing, and training in mental health care (e.g., psychologists, social workers, counselors). |
| Regulation |
Less regulated: not all coaches are certified or licensed. |
Highly regulated: therapists must be licensed and adhere to professional ethics and guidelines. |
| Relationship |
Partnership model: collaborative relationship focused on achieving goals. |
Therapeutic alliance: relationship may involve guidance, interpretation, and deep emotional work. |
| Confidentiality |
High level of confidentiality but may vary depending on the coach’s training. |
Strict confidentiality governed by legal and ethical standards. |
| Crisis Intervention |
Not typically equipped to handle crises or severe mental health issues. |
Trained to handle crises, including risk of self-harm or harm to others. |
| Scope of Practice |
May refer clients to therapy if underlying mental health issues are identified. |
Focused on addressing and treating mental health issues and may refer to coaching for goal-specific work. |
