Do I need a coach, a therapist, or both?
When life throws challenges your way—whether it’s career stress, a tough relationship, or simply feeling “stuck”—it’s natural to seek support. But do you need a coach, a therapist, or both?
Coaches vs. therapists—what’s the difference?
At a basic level, therapy is a licensed healthcare profession to help people work through significant emotional & mental health challenges (e.g. trauma, depression, grief, anxiety). Therapy supports people to understand how past experiences might be impacting their present and to heal.
Coaching tends to be more goal-focused, action-oriented, and forward-looking. It’s a more flexible profession than therapy—but it is regulated by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and several high-caliber ICF-accredited training programs (like iPEC, CoActive, & New Ventures West).
Coaches help you define clear objectives, create an action plan, and make measurable progress—whether for your career, personal life, or leadership goals. Unlike therapists, coaches are more likely to give you their direct opinion, challenge your perspective, hold you accountable, and push you.
So, which one is right for me?
Only you can tell—but here are a few questions to help you decide:
Are you dealing with overwhelming emotional pain or mental health challenges? Therapy may be the best fit.
Are you feeling challenged or held back by unresolved past experiences? Therapy offers a deep exploration of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to help you uncover the roots of certain patterns.
Are you looking to achieve specific goals and make progress quickly? If your focus is on improving specific skills, meeting career goals, or pushing yourself toward new achievements, coaching may be the right choice. Coaches keep things forward-focused, helping you define a vision and take concrete steps.
Are you generally feeling OK but want more out of life? If you’re feeling stable but stuck or uncertain about reaching your full potential, coaches can help you clarify your goals and take action on them.
What about working with both a therapist and a coach?
Many people find it beneficial to work with both a therapist and a coach, either simultaneously or in succession. Starting with therapy can be particularly helpful if you’re dealing with emotional challenges or mental health issues that need resolution before moving forward. Therapy can provide a strong foundation of mental and emotional resilience, which you can then build on with coaching.
Once you’ve achieved your therapy goals, transitioning to a coach can help you move from reflection to action. With a clearer sense of self and a stable foundation, coaching can help you harness what you’ve learned in therapy to set and achieve new goals. This approach allows you to first address the “why” of your challenges and then focus on the “how” to move forward.
Ultimately, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you choose coaching, therapy, or both, each can help you take meaningful steps toward becoming your best self.
