The Differences between Coaching and Counseling

Two Paths Forward

Sarah stared at her laptop screen, the cursor blinking accusingly at her unfinished resume.

Six months after being laid off from her marketing director position, she still couldn't muster the energy to apply for new jobs. Most mornings, she struggled to get out of bed. Her friends had noticed her withdrawal from social activities, and her husband was increasingly concerned about her tearful episodes and loss of interest in activities she once enjoyed.

If you haven’t experienced something like this personally or through a family member, I’d bet you already know where this is going based on the relentless ad campaigns from Big Pharma that interrupt everything from the news to sporting events. Funny how few commercials we see for talk therapy compared to pills.

Marcus paced his office, feeling simultaneously excited and overwhelmed. His small business had unexpectedly taken off, and he now faced decisions about hiring staff, expanding office space, and potentially bringing on investors.

Though energized by the possibilities, he found himself second-guessing every choice. "I know where I want to be in five years," he reflected, "but I'm not sure how to get there without derailing what's already working. I need someone to talk this through with, but my wife just doesn’t get it.”

Both Sarah and Marcus are at crossroads, seeking professional guidance, but might need different kinds of support.

Understanding the distinction between coaching and counseling could help them—and you—make informed choices about which is a better fit.

Let me also clarify right away that there’s nothing wrong with seeing both simultaneously. Since both focus on complementary things, sometimes combining them can be instrumental.

For obvious reasons, ongoing dialogue the counselor AND coach is key in those situations. Everyone needs to be on the same page.

Defining the Fields: Coaching vs. Counseling

What is Professional Coaching?

According to the International Coach Federation (ICF), coaching is defined as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential" (ICF, 2020). The ICF, which serves as the leading global organization for coaching standards and credentials, emphasizes that coaching is distinct from therapy, consulting, mentoring, or advisory services.

Dr. Gary R. Collins, a clinical psychologist who became a pioneering figure in the coaching field, explained this distinction clearly: "Coaching is not counseling. It is not solving problems, giving advice, helping with emotional healing, or primarily dealing with the past. Instead, coaching is about helping people move from where they are toward greater effectiveness and fulfillment" (Collins, 2009).

Collins' perspective is particularly valuable because of his unique background spanning both fields. After establishing himself as a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology, Collins became fascinated with the coaching movement in the late 1990s. He recognized that many high-functioning individuals needed guidance that wasn't therapy-focused but rather oriented toward growth and goal achievement.

What is Professional Counseling?

Professional counseling, by contrast, is a therapeutic relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals (American Counseling Association, 2019).

Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist and leadership consultant who has written extensively on both personal development and therapeutic approaches, explains: "Counseling or therapy primarily helps people recover from past hurts, resolve issues, and heal psychological or emotional problems that are interfering with their ability to function well" (Cloud, 2009).

Key Differences: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Focus and Orientation

Counseling typically addresses psychological distress, emotional healing, and recovery from past trauma or difficulties. It often begins with an assessment and diagnosis of specific mental health conditions.

Coaching, meanwhile, is primarily future-oriented and focused on setting and achieving specific goals. As Collins notes, "Coaches help people build visions, specify preferred outcomes, set goals, develop action plans, monitor their progress, and overcome obstacles. In short, coaches help people change" (Collins, 2009).

Think of it this way: If life were a house, counseling might help repair a cracked foundation, while coaching would help you design and build an addition.

Legal Considerations

Counselors must complete master's or doctoral-level education in counseling or related mental health fields, undergo supervised clinical hours (typically 2,000-4,000 hours), pass licensing exams, and maintain continuing education to retain their licenses. They are regulated by state licensing boards and must adhere to strict ethical guidelines.

Coaches, meanwhile, are not licensed to provide medical care or “mental health care” as their state most likely defines it in most places. I always make that clear right away with my clients.

Coaches may have varying levels of training, from certificates to comprehensive credentialing. It really depends on the individual, speciality areas, modalities, and needs of their clientele.

The ICF offers three credential levels: Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Master Certified Coach (MCC), each requiring specific training hours, mentored coaching experience, and assessments (ICF, 2020).

Methods and Approaches

Counseling employs evidence-based therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or humanistic methods. Sessions often involve exploring past experiences, processing emotions, and developing coping strategies for psychological symptoms.

Coaching utilizes action-oriented approaches like SMART goal-setting, accountability structures, and strength-based development. As the ICF states, coaching "utilizes personal interaction to help people identify and achieve their goals" through "inquiry, active listening, observations and feedback" (ICF, 2020).

Dr. Henry Cloud offers this helpful distinction: "Therapy often asks 'why' questions to understand root causes, while coaching more frequently asks 'how' questions to determine paths forward" (Cloud, 2010).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? People familiar with it may struggle to differentiate it from Coaching and for good reason. Picture CBT as mental fitness training.

Dr. David Burns, psychiatrist and author of "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" (Harper, 2020), explains: "CBT focuses on identifying and changing thought patterns that lead to emotional distress and problematic behaviors. Unlike coaching, which assumes a generally healthy cognitive foundation, CBT specifically targets distorted thinking and teaches skills to restructure these patterns." Our thoughts matter—a lot.

While both CBT and coaching involve goal-setting and accountability, CBT dives deeper into the cognitive processes maintaining distress. Not all thought patterns are created equal.

Dr. Judith Beck, psychologist and president of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, clarifies in her book "Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond" (Guilford Press, 2018): "The structured nature of CBT may superficially resemble coaching protocols, but CBT practitioners are trained to recognize and address clinical issues like rumination, catastrophizing, and emotional reasoning that require therapeutic intervention rather than motivational guidance." Sometimes our brains need more than a pep talk.

Client Relationships

Both fields emphasize confidentiality and trust, but the relationship dynamics differ subtly.

Counseling relationships often position the therapist as the expert who guides the therapeutic process based on clinical assessment and diagnoses.

Coaching relationships position the client as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole, with the coach serving as a partner in discovery rather than as an authority with answers.

As Gary Collins explained, "Coaches don't solve problems, give advice, or tell clients what to do. Instead, we ask questions that stimulate thinking, help clients find their own solutions, and encourage them to take responsibility for their decisions" (Collins, 2009).

Who Needs What? Identifying the Right Support

When Counseling May Be More Appropriate

Professional counseling is typically more appropriate when:

• The person is experiencing significant emotional distress, persistent sadness, or anxiety

• There are symptoms of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, or trauma responses

• Past experiences are significantly hampering current functioning

• There are concerns about self-harm or safety

• Relationships are in acute distress or crisis

• Substance use or other addictive behaviors are present

When Coaching May Be More Appropriate

Professional coaching is typically more appropriate when:

• The person is generally functioning well but wants to improve performance or satisfaction

• Specific goals need to be clarified and pursued

• Someone is navigating transitions or seeking new directions

• Leadership skills need development

• Work-life balance needs adjustment

• Someone wants accountability for pursuing aspirations

Sarah and Marcus: Which Path Forward?

Looking back at our opening scenarios, we can now better understand which approach might serve each person.

For Sarah, her symptoms suggest she may be experiencing depression: persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, social withdrawal, and difficulty with daily tasks. These indicators point toward the need for professional counseling. A licensed mental health professional could assess her condition, potentially diagnose clinical depression if appropriate, and work with her to address both the symptoms and underlying causes of her emotional distress.

As Dr. Henry Cloud might suggest, Sarah needs help processing her job loss, rebuilding her sense of identity beyond her career, and developing coping strategies for managing her emotions before she can effectively focus on job-hunting again.

For Marcus, the challenges he faces aren't rooted in emotional distress or psychological symptoms but rather in decision-making, planning, and navigating growth. His situation aligns perfectly with what Gary Collins described as ideal coaching circumstances: "Someone who is ready to take action, wants guidance on reaching specific goals, and needs accountability to follow through" (Collins, 2009).

A business or executive coach could help Marcus clarify his vision, develop strategic plans, make decisions aligned with his values, and maintain focus amid competing priorities. The coach wouldn't tell Marcus which decisions to make but would help him discover his own best answers.

The Power of Appropriate Support: Where Are They Now?

Six months later...

Sarah sits across from her counselor during what they've agreed will be one of their final weekly sessions. "I never realized how much my self-worth was tied to my job title," she reflects. Through cognitive-behavioral therapy, she's learned to identify and challenge her negative thought patterns. With her counselor's guidance, she's also processed grief around her job loss and reconnected with activities that bring her joy outside of work.

Sarah has recently accepted a position at a smaller company with a more collaborative culture—something she discovered she values during her therapy journey. "I'm not saying I'll never have bad days," she tells her counselor, "but now I have tools to manage them. And I know the warning signs to watch for."

Her counselor suggests transitioning to monthly check-ins and mentions that once Sarah feels fully stable in her new role, she might consider working with a career coach to develop long-term professional goals.

Marcus wraps up his bi-weekly video call with his business coach, feeling energized. Over the past six months, his coach has helped him develop decision-making frameworks that align with his values and vision. Through powerful questioning and accountability, Marcus has assembled a small but mighty team, secured appropriate financing without giving up too much equity, and implemented systems that allow the business to scale without losing quality.

"What I appreciate most," Marcus tells his coach, "is that you never told me what to do. You helped me figure out what I already knew but couldn't see clearly." His coach smiles and reminds him of how far he's come from their first session, when he could barely articulate his priorities.

Marcus mentions that one of his new employees seems to be struggling with anxiety that's affecting her work. "That's beyond my expertise as your coach," his coach responds thoughtfully, "but I can refer her to some excellent counselors who specialize in workplace anxiety."

The Complementary Nature of Coaching and Counseling

As we've seen through Sarah and Marcus's journeys, both coaching and counseling provide valuable—but different—forms of support. As Gary Collins noted in his final book, "Sometimes the line between coaching and counseling blurs, and sometimes people need both, either sequentially or simultaneously. The key is matching the right approach to the current need" (Collins, 2009).

Dr. Henry Cloud similarly acknowledges this complementary relationship: "Therapy and coaching aren't competing approaches—they're different tools for different jobs. Sometimes you need a hammer; sometimes you need a screwdriver. Using the wrong tool for the job only leads to frustration" (Cloud, 2013).

The good news is that well-trained professionals in both fields understand their scope of practice and can make appropriate referrals when a client's needs would be better served by a different type of support.

When seeking help, consider:

• What are your primary challenges right now?

• Are you dealing mostly with emotional distress or goal achievement?

• Do you need healing from past experiences or strategies for future success?

• Are you looking to resolve problems or maximize potential?

By asking these questions, you can make an informed choice about which path might best serve your current needs. And remember—many people benefit from both types of support at different points in their lives or even simultaneously for different aspects of their well-being.

Whether you're more like Sarah or more like Marcus, reaching out for appropriate professional support is a sign of strength, not weakness. After all, even the most accomplished athletes have trainers, and the most brilliant musicians have teachers. We all need guidance sometimes—the key is finding the right guide for your particular journey.

I provide coaching - not counseling - primarily to men who want to take on life from a Biblical worldview as part of their Christian faith. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, get in touch with me by clicking on the button at the top of this page.

But whatever your situation and preferences, I pray you find the answers you need to move forward with new clarity and confidence.

Bibliography

American Counseling Association. (2019). What is Professional Counseling? Retrieved from www.counseling.org/about-us/about-aca

Beck, J. (2018). Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Burns, D. (2020). Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy. Harper.

Cloud, H. (2009). Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality. HarperCollins.

Cloud, H. (2010). Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward. HarperCollins.

Cloud, H. (2013). Boundaries for Leaders: Results, Relationships, and Being Ridiculously in Charge. HarperBusiness.

Collins, G. R. (2009). Christian Coaching: Helping Others Turn Potential into Reality (2nd ed.). NavPress.

International Coach Federation. (2020). ICF Definition of Coaching. Retrieved from coachingfederation.org/about