The Difference Between Coaching & Counseling

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked what’s the difference between coaching and counseling, I’d be rich and living in a cabin in the woods on the waterfront.

Back when I started school coaching wasn’t very popular and I had no idea it existed. So I went to college and graduate school for counseling, thinking this was how I’d get to do what I wanted to do. After school, I found out about coaching and decided to get more information and training in this field as well.

As a licensed mental health counselor, a mind-body coach, and a certified personal trainer I understand the similarities and differences. At the root, both counseling and coaching provide you with a relationship with another human that is unlike your typical relationships. This relationship is focused on supporting your health, wellness, and growth.

Here are some of the differences between coaching & counseling.

Education/Training

One of the major differences between coaching and counseling is the amount of education required to practice. Most states require a counselor (or therapist) to have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in counseling, therapy, or social work. These degree programs include classes on human development, human sexuality, family systems, counseling practices, and ethics. Most importantly counselors have education around mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, and post traumatic stress disorder. Some even choose to specialize in a specific population or disorder (eating disorders, personality disorders, etc).

Another part of these programs includes some type of practicum and/or internship, in which the student is closely supervised by a professor and/or a seasoned counselor. I personally went through 2 years of coursework, a semester of practicum, and a year of internship before graduation. After graduation I completed two years of supervision under a counselor to ensure I was practicing appropriately and thinking through how best to help my clients.

As of today there are less education requirements for coaches. In fact, in most states anyone can decide they want to be a coach and call themselves a coach. Many coaches pursue some type of training (reading books, weekend workshops, online programs) however, this is not a requirement.

Objectives

The objective of counseling is to help people address and resolve problems, usually related to their past.

The objective of coaching is to help people achieve their goals. It is presumed coaching clients are in a good place mentally and emotionally, and are ready for guidance and instruction.

Counseling takes a person from bad to good.

Coaching takes a person from good to great.

Ethics & Boundaries

Counselors are required to have very strict boundaries around their relationships with clients and maintain confidentiality of client information. Because there is no regulating the coaching industry (at this time) ethical standards for coaches vary tremendously.

An ethical counselor would never enter into a counseling relationship with someone they knew personally and would never meet with a client in a public setting where someone else could see and/or hear the conversation. They would also never share your information without your permission (unless you said you were going to hurt yourself or someone else, or a court subpoenaed records).

A coach is not bound by such ethics.

The Approach

Counselors are typically trained not to give advice and instead help clients come to their own solutions. While some forms of counseling are very “non-directive” (client led, lots of talking about the past) other forms are more “directive” and action-oriented (Solution-focused, CBT, EFT, EMDR).

Coaches tend to be more direct, offer advice, and also help a client find solutions and how to implement these in their lives.

At Health Hope Harmony we offer various modalities to help you heal your relationship with food and your body. Reach out to see which is the best fit for you.