Do I Need a Therapist, Coach, or Both - and What’s the Difference?
Let’s face it: life can get a lot. Whether you're navigating a career crossroads, feeling stuck in old patterns, or just wondering, “Why do I feel this way all the time?” - you might be thinking about getting support.
But here's where it gets confusing:
Do I need a therapist, a coach, or both?
And…what’s the actual difference?
If you’ve ever asked yourself that, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down so you can figure out what kind of support makes the most sense for you - right now.
Coaching: Future-Focused and Goal-Oriented
Coaching is all about helping you move forward. It’s a collaborative, action-oriented process that helps you set goals, make decisions, and take steps toward the life or career you want.
A coach won’t tell you what to do - they ask powerful questions, reflect what they hear, and help you connect the dots.
Think of it like this: you’re the driver, but your coach is a strategic co-pilot helping you stay on course.
Coaching is a good fit if you:
Want to make a career change but don’t know how to start
Feel stuck in your current role and need clarity on next steps
Are ready to set and reach specific personal or professional goals
Want to improve confidence, decision-making, or leadership skills
Coaching doesn’t diagnose or dig into mental health history - it assumes you are capable, creative, and resourceful, and supports your growth from there.
Curious what the coaching process looks like? Check out this visual breakdown.
Therapy: Past-Focused and Healing-Oriented
Therapy (also called counseling or psychotherapy) is a clinical process designed to support your mental and emotional well-being. A licensed therapist helps you explore your feelings, process trauma, and understand patterns rooted in your past.
Therapists are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, and therapy often involves unpacking deep emotional wounds or managing anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma.
Therapy is a good fit if you:
Are struggling with anxiety, depression, or past trauma
Need support processing a major life event or loss
Feel emotionally overwhelmed or unable to cope
Want to heal old patterns or work through mental health challenges
Therapy is about healing and understanding - it’s not about productivity or goal-setting, but creating emotional safety and insight.
Can I Work with Both?
Yes - and in many cases, it’s incredibly helpful.
You might work with a therapist to process trauma while working with a coach to map out your next career move. Or maybe you’ve done the deep emotional work in therapy, and now you’re ready to act - that’s when coaching can take the wheel.
It’s not either/or. It’s both/and, if that’s what you need.
How to Decide What’s Right for You
Ask yourself:
Do I need healing, or do I need strategy?
Am I struggling with mental health, or just unclear on my next step?
Do I want to talk about why I feel this way, or focus on what I want to do next?
If you're in crisis, therapy is always the place to start. If you're emotionally steady but feeling directionless or stuck, coaching might be the boost you need.
Final Thoughts
Therapy and coaching serve different (but complementary) purposes - and both can be transformative. The key is knowing where you are in your journey and being honest about what kind of support will serve you best.
If you’re curious about whether coaching is right for you, I’d love to talk it through.
Book a free consultation here and let’s see if coaching fits what you’re looking for.