Important to note, psychotherapy is regulated (i.e. need to be a licensed therapist or supervised to offer the service). Coaching is not. Anyone can advertise and provide coaching services. This makes it less likely to be accepted by insurance provider unless…again, the coach is a licensed or supervised professional. We still strongly urge clients to validate with their insurance if coaching services is covered (as with psychotherapy) as its less commonly accepted by insurance.
Here is some information to better explain the difference between coaching and psychotherapy service at the clinic.
Focus and Goals
- Psychotherapy :
- Focuses on addressing mental health concerns, emotional difficulties, and psychological disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma).
- Goal: symptom reduction, improved functioning, and deeper self-understanding.
- Coaching:
- Focuses on personal or professional growth, performance, and achieving specific goals (e.g., career advancement, stress management, building resilience).
- Academic coaching : school related coaching
- Sport coaching : sport performance related coaching
- Life coaching : general growth in different spheres of life
- Health coaching : life habit related (ex. Eating, exercising, etc.)
- Business & Executive : workplace related coaching
- Goal: moving from functioning to thriving.
- Primarily future-oriented: setting goals, building skills, and creating action plans.
Scope of Practice
- Psychotherapy:
- Conducted by licensed mental health professionals (psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, psychiatrists or under supervision – like our interns).
- Involves assessment and treatment of mental wellness related issues .
- Therapists are legally regulated and bound by ethical codes.
Coaching:
-
- Provided by trained coaches (who may or may not have a mental health license) – the benefit of our clinic is all our coaches are also therapists
- Not designed to diagnose or treat issue
- Focuses on accountability, strategies, and motivation rather than treatment.
- Not regulated (see below for more explanations)
Methods and Approach
- Psychotherapy:
- Uses evidence-based clinical approaches (ex. CBT and mindfulness at our clinic)
- Often involves exploring emotions, thought patterns, coping mechanisms, and relational dynamics.
- Coaching:
- Uses structured goal-setting, problem-solving, motivational techniques, and accountability frameworks. Our coaches will also integrate CBT and mindfulless into their coaching practices.
- Emphasizes strengths, solutions, and measurable outcomes
Example Scenarios
- Someone experiencing panic attacks or depression → Psychotherapy is appropriate.
- Someone who is mentally well but wants to improve leadership skills, build resilience, or reach personal goals → Coaching is more appropriate.
- Benefit of our clinic is you can benefit from coaching expertise in psychotherapy and vice versa since our coaches are therapists
In summary:
- Psychotherapy = treating and healing.
- Coaching = growing and achieving.
*Client should request 'coaching' rather than 'counselling'. If they say counselling you can confirm if they are looking for psychotherapy services or coaching services.
- Psychotherapy:
- Focuses on personal or professional growth, performance, and achieving specific goals (e.g., career advancement, stress management, building resilience).