Differences Between Coaches & Therapists
Coaching and therapy are two distinct modalities for personal development and healing. While they operate with different core purposes and methods, the degree of benefit often depends on the individual client.
For one person, a specific approach may be clearly superior. For another, the nuances between the two are subtle and may not significantly alter the outcome.
Regardless of the approach, both models can be open-ended or long-term and can address both the conscious and unconscious aspects of the mind.
Creating a Solid Foundation
Ultimately, a skilled therapist or coach will be dedicated to helping you achieve: concrete lasting change, the actualization of your potential, personal and relational growth, and overcoming your inhibitions.
Insurance:
Some therapists take insurance, though increasingly insurance companies have not kept up with inflation, for this reason, more and more therapists have stopped taking it. Coaches do not typically take insurance.
Rates:
Make sure to ask about rates per session and whether there are any discounts available for prepaid sessions. Both therapists and coaches may offer this as a way to mitigate client costs. Either may offer a sliding scale based on income and extenuating circumstances.
WHC rates offer options for prepaid sessions as well as individual sessions. There is no minimum requirement for working together.
Licensing:
Licensed therapy is important in particular for those who are dealing with acute mental health challenges requiring medication; including psychotic disorders or serious emotional distress.
Licensing requires ongoing training and supervision. Ask your coach or therapist what their specific requirements are. If working with a coach, ask if they participate in ongoing supervision and specifically when and how.
I consistently pay out of pocket to continue my education and training and do one one one supervision with professionals in the field of trauma work and resolution on an almost monthly basis.
Be Proactive and Ask Questions!
Your healing journey begins with an informed choice. As you prepare for a new therapeutic relationship, consider the presenting issues and outcomes you are hoping for. It is essential to reflect on your needs and ask a few thoughtful, clarifying questions of any potential provider before committing.
During the consult ask questions like these for yourself and from your provider:
Do I like this person?
Can I settle in, or do I feel uncertain or uncomfortable?
Do I trust this person? What are my instincts about working with them?
Consider your health and wellness goals. Have you noticed stuck patterns or belief systems that you’d like change?
Do you have any goals you’d like to achieve?
Is there a minimum number of sessions required to work with this provider?
If already seeing a therapist, would this coach be willing to work alongside a your current therapy provider to be in greater support of your goals?
Will the 2 professionals be able to represent your needs together and do they need anything from you?
What are specific ways the provider can help you more efficiently achieve your goals for a better quality of life? Some considerations are goals related to helping you grow, including behavior change and improving quality of life?
Ask what kinds of tools the provider offers for healing and what do they do if the client doesn’t resonate with them?
How much can this provider make the time with you as beneficial to you as possible? Can they pivot if things aren’t working?
Coaching doesn’t rely on credentialing or ongoing monitoring. Ask your coach whether they have an ongoing plan for either private (one on one) or group supervision?
Wholeheartedness Coaching helps people navigate their own path with specific support for trauma resolution. As an SEP (Somatic Experiencing Practitioner) and training as an ISP Practitioner (Integral Somatic Psychology offers tools for emotional expansion), I am equipped to guide people who are navigating persistent unwelcome issues related to trauma, including miild depression and anxiety.
