Coaching vs. Counseling - What's the difference?

The line between a coach and a counselor can feel a little blurry. When people decide they want to improve their lives, they often find themselves at a crossroads: Do I need a therapist or a coach? While both professions involve deep listening and powerful conversations, they serve very different purposes. Understanding these differences is the first step toward getting the right support for your current season of life.

The "Running" Analogy

Imagine Tom. Tom recently broke his leg, but he has a deep passion for running and wants to get back on the track. Who does he turn to?

• The Doctor & Physical Therapy (Counseling): These are experts in the mechanics of the body. They help Tom heal from his injury, manage his chronic pain, and regain his mobility so he can move through life without being sidelined. Their goal is to get Tom back to being healthy and functional.
• The Athletic Trainer (Coaching): The trainer’s value is taking Tom’s current ability and helping him structure a plan for the future. Through education, habit-building, and a tailored training schedule, the trainer helps Tom optimize his performance. They focus on strengthening exercises, nutrition, and practice. Their goal is to help Tom reach his full potential.

The Life Timeline

We can also make a general distinction through the "life timeline."

Counseling typically looks at the Past and Present. It focuses on "Why?" Why do I feel this way? Why did this trauma happen? How do I heal? It is a clinical process designed to move someone from a state of distress to a state of stability, ensuring the past doesn’t obstruct the present and future.

Coaching focuses on the Present and Future. It asks "How?" How do I get from where I am to where I want to be? How do I lead this team? How do I scale this business? It’s focused on helping you reach greater results from your current state.

A Note on the Past: While coaching is future-facing, we do visit the past to refer to relevant experiences, skills, or lessons. We grab those insights and immediately bring them back to the present to build the future.

Coaching is for Everyone (Not Just the "Pros")

There is a myth that coaching is only for high performers moving from "good to great." In reality, coaching is for anyone who feels stuck in the "middle."

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there: sitting on the couch scrolling aimlessly through our phones for hours or binging a show. The act of getting up for a 15-minute exercise or picking up a book feels daunting when you're trying to change a habit.

The power of coaching isn't in someone telling you what to do. It’s in the questions, the conversation, and the action plan that you help craft. It’s based on what is right for you, not what someone else thinks you should do.

The Powerhouse Combination

The reality is that you don’t have to choose just one. Many of the most successful business people and entrepreneurs I know have a therapist to help them navigate their internal world and a coach to help them conquer their external world.

They aren't mutually exclusive—they’re a powerhouse combination for a life well-lived.