The Distinction Between Coaching and Therapy
Coaching and therapy are often mentioned in the same breath, but they serve distinct purposes. Coaching isn’t therapy, nor does it aim to be. It’s a collaborative process focused on growth, action, and self-discovery. As a coach, I’ve thought a lot about what makes an issue "coachable," and my understanding is shaped by both my own learning and my lived experience—on both sides of the coaching relationship.
Traditionally, coaching has been framed as something for "functional" people looking to enhance performance or productivity. But let’s be real—life doesn’t divide neatly into "functional" or "unwell." Human experience is messy, and wellness exists on a spectrum. Many people who look like they have it all together on the surface might still be carrying significant challenges.
This understanding is personal for me. We all have moments when life feels heavy, when anxiety, self-doubt, or low motivation creep in. These aren’t issues that define whether someone is "well" or "unwell"—they’re simply part of being human. And while coaching isn’t a substitute for therapy, it can still provide profound support.
Coaching, at its heart, is about creating space. It’s about holding a non-judgmental, safe environment where someone can explore their thoughts, their feelings, and their goals. It’s not about fixing or diagnosing but about listening, reflecting, and helping clients take meaningful steps forward. When necessary, I might suggest that therapy could be helpful, but my focus remains on what we can do together to help a client move toward the life they want to build.
What makes an issue "coachable"? It’s not about labels like "wellness" or "illness." Instead, it’s about whether the client is motivated, whether the issue is within their control, and whether a collaborative, goal-oriented approach can help. This reframing—from a binary of wellness to a focus on coachability—feels much more inclusive and realistic.
From my perspective, coaching isn’t just about ticking off goals or becoming "more productive." It’s about empowering people to navigate challenges, recognize their strengths, and thrive holistically. It’s about helping someone see that they can hold space for both struggle and progress, and still move forward.
Life is rarely black and white, and the line between "coachable" and "therapeutic" can sometimes feel blurred. But what matters most is meeting people where they are, respecting boundaries, and helping them explore what’s possible.
When we focus on what’s coachable—on what can shift and grow—we create room for people to overcome obstacles, rediscover their potential, and build lives that feel meaningful and fulfilling. That’s what coaching is to me: a process of connection, growth, and transformation, rooted in shared understanding and practical action.