When deciding between therapy and life coaching it is important to understand the differences. Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on addressing psychological disorders, mental health issues, and emotional difficulties. It typically involves a licensed therapist using various techniques to help individuals gain insight, heal from past traumas, and develop coping mechanisms. It also helps people at different levels of growth deal with the present and often helps the client recognize how the past might be impacting the present as it often does for most people.
Life coaching, on the other hand, is a more future-oriented approach that aims to help individuals set and achieve personal and professional goals. Life coaches often work with clients to enhance their overall life satisfaction, clarify values, and create action plans for personal growth. It is limited.
Anyone can call themselves a “Life Coach”. There are no specific training or education requirements. Unlike psychotherapy, coaching is not regulated by the government, so there are no laws, regulations, ethics, or scope of practice guidelines. The lack of regulations makes the boundaries of what constitutes coaching nebulous.
The Law
According to Business and Professions Code Section 4980.02 (effective January 1, 2022), the practice of marriage and family therapy shall mean the application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories, principles, and methods in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, or groups to assess evaluate and treat relational issues, emotional disorders, behavioral problems, mental illness, alcohol, and substance use, and to modify intrapersonal and interpersonal behaviors. This section of the law also explains that the application of marriage and family therapy principles and methods includes, but is not limited to the following specific areas:
- Assessment, evaluation, and prognosis
- Treatment, planning, and evaluation
- Individual, relationship, family, or group therapeutic interventions
- Relational therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Clinical Case Management
- Consultation
- Supervision
Use, application, and integration of the coursework and training required by Sections 4980.36, 4980.37, and 4980.41, as applicable.
The Stigma
Many people choose life coaching because there is less stigma attached to coaching than to therapy. Unfortunately, many people wrongly view psychotherapy as meaning there is something wrong with them. Since life coaching is unregulated many coaches turn to social media marketing strategists and gurus that hype their service promising to help the client achieve some high level of success. “Create six figures in six months, “Build your confidence in 90 days”, “Reach your personal goals in two months”, etc. Contrast that messaging with “Hey let’s delve into every painful event in your life and heal those”. You can easily see how one’s imagination is led to life coaching vs therapy.
The Dilemma
Many people unknowingly seek assistance from coaches for emotional and mental health concerns, unaware that these coaches may lack proper training in identifying symptoms of mental health issues. Some life coaches, either out of eagerness to acquire clients or inability to recognize such symptoms, accept clients and inadvertently cause more harm than good. It’s important to note that, unlike licensed psychotherapists, coaches do not possess the legal authority to diagnose or treat the mental health illnesses of their clients. This holds even if a coach has undergone education and training comparable to that of a psychotherapist.
Furthermore, coaches may not delve into the past, provide a cure for a mental illness, or relieve mental and/ or emotional suffering. Coaches may not seek to resolve the deeper underlying issues that cause serious mental and/or emotional problems. A coach who addresses issues of mental health or relationships without being appropriately licensed may not only be unlawfully practicing medicine and/or psychotherapy without a license, but they may also do more harm to a client than good.
No Right to Confidentiality
While certain coaches may make promises to uphold confidentiality, it’s important to understand that the laws and regulations applicable to protecting the confidentiality and privilege of psychotherapy patients do not extend to coaching relationships or the information shared by coaching clients. In simpler terms, because coaching is distinct from psychotherapy and clients are not classified as patients within the legal framework safeguarding psychotherapy patients, coaching clients cannot successfully claim the psychotherapist-patient privilege concerning any existing records or information that may have been shared as part of their coaching experience.
Summary
While both psychotherapy and life coaching can support personal development and well-being, only a licensed and trained psychotherapist should address mental health concerns. A therapist may utilize coaching techniques but a life coach may NOT use therapeutic interventions. With over 40 years of real-world and practical life experiences and as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist I can competently help you either in coaching or psychotherapically. For a confidential chat click here
