Therapy vs. Life Coaching

This is a hot button topic, so buckle up! I decided to write this because several of my clients, friends, and family have asked me to clarify the difference between life coaches and therapists over the past few months. Part of the confusion is due to an increasing visibility of debate in comment sections on social media between therapists and life coaches, along with a greater saturation of life coaches and marketing campaigns online. It is not uncommon to discover criticisms from both therapists and life coaches pertaining to one another’s fields.

We have also started to observe many therapists opening secondary businesses in life coaching, to compound the confusion. The goal of this article is to help my clients understand the distinctions and scope of practice so that they can make an informed decision. Of course, I am writing this as a therapist and that fact alone suggests some degree of inherent bias. As such, I encourage my clients and the broader community to read multiple opinions and form their own decisions.

Life coaching and therapy are two very different forms of support that people seek out to improve their lives. While both life coaching and therapy share the goal of helping people reach their full potential, there are some key differences between the two. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast life coaching versus therapy and explore the differences and similarities between the two.

Because life coaching is an unregulated field, there is not a set definition determined by any specific board. However, life coaching is generally regarded as a professional service that helps individuals set and achieve personal and professional goals. Life coaches help their clients clarify their goals, identify obstacles, and create a plan of action to overcome those obstacles. They also provide guidance and support to help their clients stay on track and achieve their desired outcomes. 

Life coaches sometimes describe their work as focused on the present and future, with a goal to help their clients move forward in life. They do so by helping their clients identify their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, and provide strategies for personal growth and development. Life coaches may work with clients in a variety of areas, including career development, relationship issues, health and wellness, and personal development. 

Many life coaches have specific niches as well, for example some life coaches niche down for specific businesses, finances, fitness, or a specific issue such as motivation.

There are several criticisms of life coaching that have been raised by critics and skeptics of the industry. Here are some of the major criticisms:

1. Lack of Regulation: Life coaching is an unregulated industry, meaning that there are no standardized training requirements, licensing procedures, or oversight. This has led to concerns about the quality of training and qualifications of some life coaches as anyone can call themselves a life coach, regardless of their training or qualifications. Some organizational efforts have been made by groups like the International Coaching Federation (IFC) in an attempt to streamline ethical guidelines, values, and best practices, but as of 2023, there are currently no governmental boards, licensure, or formalized educational requirements. 
2. Lack of Evidence-Based Practice: Some critics argue that life coaching is not based on evidence-based practices or scientific research, and that it is therefore unclear whether life coaching actually produces meaningful results. Many life coaches do co-opt many therapeutic strategies however, despite it being out of scope for them. This includes marketing things like “trauma-informed care,” “narrative work,” or “reframing thoughts,” all of which align with several therapy practices and modalities. 
3. Over-Promising: Some life coaches make promises about what their services can deliver, such as increased success, happiness, or wealth. However, these claims are often not backed up by empirical evidence and can be seen as unrealistic or even predatory.
4. Potential Harm: Some critics argue that life coaching can be harmful, particularly if coaches lack the proper training or qualifications. I have personally seen life coaches marketing themselves as “depression coaches,” or “trauma coaches,” for instance. The issue with this is that Depression and PTSD are formal diagnoses provided by mental healthcare providers. These diagnoses have serious symptoms with life threatening consequences at times. Life coaches who tred muddy waters into therapeutic scope of practice can find themselves ill equipped to work with clients in crisis.
5. Lack of Confidentiality: Unlike therapy, life coaching is not bound by the same confidentiality rules and ethical standards. This can raise concerns about the privacy and confidentiality of clients.
6.  Little Recourse: Because of the lack of regulation and oversight, there is little recourse for clients when things go wrong. With a therapist, clients have the potential to report unethical behavior to multiple oversight agencies, including California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for California-based clients. 

It is important to note that not all of these criticisms apply to all life coaches, and that many reputable and qualified life coaches do exist. Many therapists also venture into life coaching to engage in more directive, solution-focused, and task-oriented work.

However, these criticisms underscore the need for clients to carefully research and choose a practitioner who has the appropriate training and experience for their specific needs.

Therapy, also known as counseling or psychotherapy, is a professional service that helps individuals address mental health issues, emotional problems, and other psychological concerns. Therapists are trained professionals who use various techniques and approaches to help their clients improve their mental health and well-being. Many types of healthcare professionals are licensed to provide therapy services, including social workers, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists.

Therapists work with clients to identify the underlying causes of their problems, explore their thoughts and feelings, process feelings and experiences, and develop strategies for coping with difficult emotions and situations. Trauma therapists specifically engage in focus on nervous system regulation by offering a range of non-talking therapy modalities as well. All therapists typically use a variety of integrative techniques ranging from depth-work, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or mindfulness-based therapy. Certain therapeutic modalities align very closely with many tools harnessed by life coaches. For example, solution-focused therapy, narrative and cognitive behavioral therapies have many directive, homework-based elements.

Therapy is also highly regulated. Therapists are required to have a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field, and they must be licensed by their state or province to practice. This licensing process is often long and complicated, and involves completing a specific number of supervised clinical hours, passing several licensing exams, and adhering to ethical and professional standards across several boards and agencies. In California, therapists need 3000 hours of supervised practice before they can become licensed. From there, most therapists obtain added certifications. For example, some therapists go on to become certified EMDR practitioners, which involves added years of training and requirements for additional supervised practice and clinical experience.

1. 1. Effectiveness: Some critics argue that therapy may not be effective for everyone, and that some individuals may not see any significant improvement in their mental health or wellbeing. Because of the wide range of modalities, skill levels, interventions, and styles, it can be difficult to find the right fit. Many people also criticize the more non-directive approaches to therapy.
   2. Cost & Access: Private pay therapy can be expensive, and many people may not be able to afford it, which can limit access to care. Many therapists who do take insurance are fully booked due to demand, and people often struggle to find in network providers.
   3. Stigmatization: Some people may feel stigmatized or ashamed to seek therapy, which can prevent them from seeking the help they need.
   4. Bias and cultural competence: Therapists may have their own biases that can impact their ability to provide effective care, particularly for individuals from marginalized or underrepresented groups. The field of psychotherapy has drawn extensive criticism over the fact that it was effectively created for and by white men. 
   5. Limited scope: Therapy may not address all of the complex social, economic, and political factors that contribute to mental health issues, and may not be able to provide comprehensive solutions to these challenges. Some providers within psychotherapy may be a better fit for this reason, including marriage and family therapists, and social workers. 
   6. Power dynamics: The therapeutic relationship may be characterized by power dynamics that can impact the patient’s ability to fully participate in the process, which can limit the effectiveness of therapy.
   7. Medical model: Healthcare and insurance in the United States is rife with complicated systemic issues. This impacts access, funding for research, populations that are served, and the experience of receiving care. 

Life coaching and therapy share some similarities, but there are also some significant differences between the two. Here are some of the main points of comparison and contrast:

1. Focus: Life coaching focuses on personal and professional growth and development, whereas therapy focuses on addressing mental health issues and emotional concerns along with personal growth. Often, depending on modality, therapists are able to provide very similar interventions as life coaches but life coaches can not offer the same mental health care as therapists.
2. Goals: Life coaching helps clients set and achieve specific goals, whereas therapy also helps clients set and achieve specific goals related to mental health, well-being, relationships, and their life and helps clients address underlying issues that are impacting these areas
3. Approach: Life coaches use a variety of techniques to help their clients achieve their goals, such as goal setting, action planning, and accountability. Some life coaches make themselves available throughout the week for text or phone call check-ins. Therapists use different approaches depending on the client’s needs and concerns, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or mindfulness-based therapy, but typically clients attend one session a week or more when they are in crisis. There are usually more boundaries with therapists pertaining to contact outside of session.
4. Qualifications: Life coaching is an unregulated business, so anyone can call themselves a life coach. Therapists, on the other hand, are highly regulated and must meet specific educational and licensing requirements.
5. Ethics: Therapists are bound by strict ethical and professional standards, whereas life coaches are not subject to the same level of regulation.
6. Cost: Some therapists accept insurance, while others offer superbills. Most private practice therapists who do not take insurance, set their rates based on the market value and align within a specific range depending on their area, expertise, and demand. Therapists are typically not allowed to charge clients ahead of time for services, as therapy should always be “at-will” with clients free to leave whenever they want. Life coaching prices can vary tremendously. Many life coaches charge clients a flat fee for a time period into the future.
7. Style: Mileage will vary depending on modality, but several theoretical orientations in therapy emphasize being non-directive. Many post-modern therapists are often trained to avoid telling clients what to do, believing in the importance of autonomy, choice, collaboration, and the development of self-efficacy. Life coaches are often more directive. They are not afraid to speak from authority and well… coach!

Ultimately keep in mind that just like there are fabulous therapists and terrible therapists, there are fabulous life coaches, and terrible life coaches. Both professions when done right, are in the business of helping people and when done in an ethical manner that honors scope of practice, can greatly serve individuals in need!