Similarities and key differences between personal coaching and psychotherapy are explained.
While there are many very significant similarities that can be recognized when comparing therapy and life coaching, there are also significant differences. Like sketching and watercolor are two branches of the visual arts tree, personal coaching and psychotherapy are branches of the tree of psychology.

Some of the similarities between coaching and therapy include key skills and qualities needed for both therapists and personal coaches. Both services include the need for: perceptive listening skills, respect and empathy, creativity, a sense of humor, and the ability to offer clients encouragement, resources, new perspectives, etc. Also, several models for therapy have been developed that make use of collaborative goal setting, and are strength-based, are present or future oriented, and solution-focused, however, there are also many important differences.

Clients engaging in coaching services are considered to be in good mental health and functioning, while clients in therapy are generally not functioning well, as a result of distressing symptoms that they are struggling with.

Coaching clients may choose to focus on issues that include creating increased personal/professional fulfillment, enhancing creativity, striving for new levels of achievement, relationship strengthening, etc. Clients receiving psychotherapy are generally provided with services for symptom relief in order to restore impaired functioning.

Coaching is often based on a client's personal passions and vision for the future and goals are generally created through an in-depth process of identifying client strengths/interests, aspirations for new directions, and through creative exercises for problem-solving/action planning, etc. With psychotherapy, especially if insurance coverage for services is needed, work is focused on identifying symptom criteria in order to establish a diagnosis (based on the "DSM", Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders,) and on the development of a treatment plan to address the client's "pathology" according to established guidelines, with the aim of decreasing the client's distress and correcting "maladaptive behavior."

With coaching, goals are created based on the client's values, personal desires, and unique vision for their life's next chapter. In therapy, if insurance coverage is needed, treatment plans need to be written by the therapist in such a way that they will meet the priorities of the insurance company, so that a certain amount of sessions will be approved for payment.

Coaching services are completely private, not involving insurance in any way. Information about your work with a coach will not be shared with anyone (unless you want someone included, with the only exception being that for legal and ethical mandates; such as an intent to do harm type situation.)

Coaching sessions can be very flexible. You can have the freedom and convenience of using telephone and e-mail to work with most coaches, while therapy will usually require face-to-face sessions at the therapist's office.

To summarize, a primary goal of personal coaching services is to empower clients to create the most satisfying and fulfilling life that they can. While this goal is also often a part of therapy, things like establishing a diagnoses for a client's maladaptive behavior and the development of a treatment plan to restore basic functioning are generally the top priorities for counseling- especially if insurance policies are governing the services.

About the Author

Debi Bonine-Giles, MA is a professional life & relationship enrichment coach and the host of BellaOnline's Inspiration and Life Coaching Channels. Visit www.lifepalette.com, where you