The Difference Between Coaching and Therapy
There are many distinctions between traditional therapy and coaching- they can be considered along the lines of focus (e.g. relieve pain/symptoms vs attain goals/create personal fulfillment; history/past vs vision/future), context, orientation etc.
On a continuum, it might look like this:
| →____________→______________→___________→__________ |
Traditional therapy
(older style) |
Transitional Models
(grey areas) |
Coaching
(a new option) |
(see: Williams P. and Davis D. Therapist as Life Coach 2002)
The following table provides a sampling of some of the differences between coaching and therapy:
| Therapy |
Coaching |
| Focuses on healing and understanding. |
Focuses on evolving and manifesting potential. Healing is a side effect. |
| Emphasizes past and present. |
Emphasizes present and future. |
| Is insight oriented. |
Is action and "being" oriented. |
| Is problem oriented. |
Is solution oriented. |
| Explores genesis of behaviors that create low self-esteem. |
Explores actions and behaviors that manifest high self-esteem. |
| Asks "why, and from where?" |
Asks "what's next/what now?" |
| Works mainly with internal issues. |
Works mainly with external issues. |
| Encourages transference as a therapy tool. |
Discourages transference as inappropriate. |
| Accountability is not commonly expected. |
Accountability is commonly expected. |
| Uses therapy techniques. |
Uses coaching skills. |
(adapted from the Coaches Training Institute – CTI – “Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching” Series)
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