top of page
Search
Writer's pictureElizabeth Simpson
Mar 185 min read

Choosing Your Wellness Path: Coaching vs. Therapy

Updated: Oct 4


Choosing a professional to work with can be a daunting task, as we explore this, we may make the following three evaluations:


  1. We wonder whether their service is right for us.

  2. We wonder if this person is the right professional for us (do we like this person? Will they understand me as an individual? Will conversations flow easily between us?).

  3. We wonder will they give us the service we are paying for (are they fully trained in this area? Are they experienced? Do they have credentials?)

In this article, I evaluate choosing between wellness coaching and therapy, however, as you embark on choosing your wellness path, here are some pointers to help you with the latter two evaluations:


Is this professional the right person for me?

  • Read the reviews and testimonials, this will tell you about their previous clients and how they felt about their experience with this person.

  • The offer of a discovery call or a quick enquiry call is there for you, to determine if you would likely have the appropriate rapport required to facilitate productive and positive conversations. Each professional wants to work with people they can help, and as such they want you to determine if working with them is the right fit for you. Take advantage of this offer and see for yourself if the conversation is just as you would hope with your professional.


Will I get a professional service?

  • This is where you do your due diligence, a professional will tell you about their training and experience on their website. From here you can judge if they are the right fit for you.

  • Their website should inform you about the associated bodies they belong to and any professional register where they can be found. Depending on the service you choose will determine the necessity to belong to one or other body, this is where you need to do a little research.

  • Ensure to ask about what is included in their service, if it is unclear on their website, so you know what to expect before you start working with them.

  • People don’t like to advertise on social media that they are having a difficult time or that they have worked with a professional through that time, so try not to determine professional integrity based on followings or likes.

Is this service the right one for me?

An evaluation of Wellness Coaching V’s Therapy



While therapy is essential for treating mental health disorders with evidence-based approaches, coaching focuses on enhancing overall well-being and performance through goal setting and a range of techniques. Both play crucial roles in helping individuals navigate challenges and improve their lives.

 

Often therapy isn’t appropriate for exploring goals to make improvement in areas of life outside of mental or emotional health, this is where coaching can help build clarity, direction, make changes, and enhance wellbeing. It can also help reduce a feeling of being stuck or languishing. It is, however, important to recognise when this feeling of languishing is happening alongside concerns such as generalised anxiety disorder or depression, and to therefore work with a therapist in these instances.


While coaching will not support an individual with a mental health disorder, it does not mean that an individual managing a mental health disorder couldn’t access coaching at the same time as therapy or shortly after engaging in therapy. This is a conversation to be had between client and coach and patient and therapist.



Why Choose Therapy Over Coaching


  • Mental Health Treatment - Therapy is essential for individuals dealing with diagnosable mental health disorders, significant emotional concerns, or past traumas that require healing and support from a licensed professional. Therapists are trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses using evidence-based approaches.

  • Past Trauma Healing - Therapists focus on understanding the past, healing emotional wounds, and addressing deep-rooted issues that may be affecting an individual's present well-being. Therapy is crucial for those struggling with severe mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or relationship challenges that require therapeutic intervention.



Why Choose Coaching Over Therapy


  • Goal Achievement - Coaching focuses on setting and achieving personal goals, building new skills, and enhancing performance in various aspects of life. It is ideal for individuals looking to improve specific areas of their life and work towards personal growth and development.

  • Future-Oriented Approach - Coaches help individuals create the future they desire by focusing on the present and developing action plans to move forward. This forward-looking perspective can be beneficial for those seeking to make positive changes in their lives without delving deeply into past traumas or mental health disorders.

  • Performance Enhancement - Wellness coaching can help individuals perform better physically, emotionally, professionally, socially, or athletically, depending on their specific needs. It is particularly useful for those aiming to enhance their overall well-being, manage stress, improve self-confidence, or achieve career-related goals.


Deciding between wellness coaching and therapy depends on individual needs and goals. Yet, the essential factor remains: you are proactively investing in your personal growth and well-being, irrespective of the path you choose. Whether pursuing wellness coaching to attain your objectives or delving into a transformative healing journey with a therapist, the pivotal moment lies in your commitment to initiating positive change in your life.



 

How Coaching Could Support You

Coaching is for anyone who is ready to make changes. Wellness coaching focuses on improving emotional and physical health, which can be improved by looking at any area of your life; from lifestyle changes to confidence, to career. To ultimately thrive and live the life you desire. Find out more about coaching with me here.


How To Start Making a Change

Contact your preferred professionals and use the above evaluation to determine if this is the right service for you, and the right professional.


Free Resources

For more free wellness tips and coaching resources, please sign up to my monthly newsletter.


 

Resources

14 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

FREE Wellness Inspirations, Coaching Activities, and Thought-Provoking Ideas

Sign up for my monthly newsletter,

Wellness and You

​

Each month, you’ll receive a dose of wellness inspiration, along with coaching activities and thought-provoking ideas to assist you in reaching your wellness goals, guiding you on your wellness journey, and making transformative decisions to enhance your physical and emotional health. Sign up today to stay informed about new programmes and packages as they become available.

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page