How Coaching & Therapy Work Together

We are often asked if coaching is the same as therapy - NO! Coaching is not a replacement for seeing a therapist. People will often choose to have a coach and a therapist simultaneously.

It is important to fully understand the distinction between a coach and a therapist to ensure that your needs are being met. We are often asked if coaching is the same as therapy - NO! Coaching is not a replacement for seeing a therapist. People will often choose to have a coach and a therapist simultaneously. As coaches, we can collaborate with our clients’ therapists to ensure everyone on the client’s team is on the same page. So, how do you know if you should be seeking out support from a coach or a therapist? Let’s dive in…

Focus

As executive function coaches, we work with people who are seeking to improve future outcomes. We support clients in creating attainable plans and developing skills to reach future goals. 

A therapist supports individuals in exploring past events and how to process those events. While those skills may also be applied to future situations, a therapist focuses on the layers of the past to help you grow. 

Relationship 

Coaches at The Goalden System are your biggest cheerleaders and value your goals as if they were their own. This is why we call you our Partners. Given this dynamic, we work to be part of your support team and have built-in communication connections between meetings. 

Therapists are medical professionals and will adhere to a patient-provider communication style.  Therapists provide support and do not typically reach out in between meetings regularly. 

Advice 

Coaches will share tools best suited for you while also being there to support you as you begin to implement these new behaviors. We rely on meaningful reflection to help you uncover your strengths and weaknesses and create a personalized plan to reach your goals. If you are willing to put the work in and want to seek success on your own terms, your coach will provide the encouragement to step out of your comfort zone as you try new strategies. 

As therapists work with their clients they are often able to offer insight into barriers that are limiting forward progress. A therapist will then provide advice and suggestions on strategies to try after uncovering past experiences or trauma.

Time Frame 

People usually work alongside a coach anywhere from a few months to a few years. The time frame depends on the complexity of the goals that you are working toward. 

A person may choose to work with a therapist for years to continue working through the layers of the past. The timeframe for therapy is a very individualized answer.

Diagnoses 

There is a clear distinction- coaches cannot provide a diagnosis of any kind. This job is solely in the jurisdiction of a therapist or psychiatrist. Coaching should not be sought out in replacement for therapy. 

While there are differences between coaches and therapists, both places offer a safe place that is judgment free. Additionally, executive function coaching and therapy can happen simultaneously, and when they do, it can be a very powerful way of catapulting your own growth and development. Not sure if executive function coaching is right for you? Give us a call, and we will tell you more about what we do!