COACHING

How is coaching different from therapy?

Coaching differs from therapy mainly in its purpose. Therapy is typically intended to treat a psychiatric diagnoses, such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, or substance use conditions. For that reason, therapy can be reimbursed by some insurance plans. Because it can impact a serious health condition, it requires a provider to have a medical or other professional healthcare provider license in the state where the patient is located.

By contrast coaching is not intended to treat any medical diagnosis, and is usually intended to help someone reach an optimal level of functioning or achieve a certain life goal. Some of the coaching goals I’ve helped people with include “I’d like to fall in love” “I’d like to be happier” “I’d like to respond more effectively to racism” “I’d like to be more fulfilled in my sex life.” Because coaching does not involve medical diagnosis or treatment, it is not reimbursable by health insurance companies, and is frequently provided across state lines.

When psychiatric conditions are what stand in the way of someone’s goal, it is much safer and more effective to engage in therapy rather than coaching. Our introductory call can help evaluate which service will be most helpful for you.

Please click here if you’d like to arrange a free call to see if we are a good fit, and if so what services would be helpful.