Coaching vs Therapy: Which Should You Choose?

Written By Dr. Barbara Ford Shabazz

First, let’s reframe the question. Pitting the two against one another isn’t beneficial for choosing which you should choose. Let’s use: What is coaching? And is it right for me?

While coaches apparently work with the future, and therapists the past, he believes both approaches aim to help people in their efforts to grow, master their problems, and become more effective in their lives.

— Michael Bader (Psychologist)

Coaching is…

The ICF defines coaching as “Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential."

Coaching should not be a substitute for issues that warrant true counseling or psychotherapy. But as a clinical psychologist I advise working with a coach that, may use the past as a point of reference to work to identify your current strengths/supports. Typically a coach who does this will use the past as a point of departure as you collaborate with them to answer the question: "What actions are you taking presently to reach your goals?"

 
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It’s not a replacement, but it is another option:

Coaching is an option for you if you are ready to make changes in your life day by day to 'find your answers', and prepare to live a life that is fulfilling for you.   

Although you may initially seek to focus on a specific topic, coaching will likely addresses your entire life.  Life topics like:

  • Making a particularly stressful life transition more manageable

  • Achieving a professional or personal goal

  • Rediscovering motivation and creative imagination

  • Organization and Decluttering

  • Anti-racism tools and activities

  • Family-related stressors

  • Work-related stressors

  • Romantic relationship stressors

  • Work/Life balance

  • Boundary-setting

Deciding

Finding a coach that refines their professional approach to you personally is recommended because ultimately the coaching agenda should come from you. My sessions are based on a continual process of assessment, goal setting, action steps and further assessment. In them I will emphasize action, accountability, and follow-through. It’s important to know (whichever your decision) that your growth and development will be based on your initiation to change.

Neither coaching or therapy are quick-fixes. Some challenges take less time to address than others, but it doesn’t happen overnight. There are people who make coaching an on-going part of their lives as maintenance and prevention, and some that use it for a specified time. After experiencing an introductory session with your potential coach, it’s recommended to dedicate a minimum of one month (with once weekly sessions). Hope that this helps you in your search.

Dr. Barbara Ford Shabazz

I’m a psychologist who coaches. Intentional Activities is a personal and executive coaching practice where I use over two decades of experience to help women and men disrupt negativity, refocus, and assert their true self (with balance!). I believe in creating a safe space where they don’t feel judged, and the hard stuff feels easier to work through. Learn more about how it works.

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