Coaching vs. Therapy - which one is right for you?

The first question I ask new clients is: “How do you know that coaching is right for you?”

It’s an important question, because coaching and therapy are not the same. Both are powerful tools for growth, but they serve different purposes. Knowing which one fits your needs right now is the first step in honoring yourself and your journey.

Why This Matters to Me

I’ve sat on both sides of this question myself. I’ve been in therapy, and I’ve worked with coaches. Both experiences were meaningful, but in different ways. Therapy supported me when I needed to untangle the weight of my past. Coaching gave me the fire and structure to step forward into my future.

Understanding the difference allowed me to stop forcing myself into containers that didn’t fit, and instead choose what I really needed in the moment. That’s what I want for you, too: clarity, so you can choose from a place of self-trust.

Coaching: Moving You Forward

Most importantly, coaching is proactive. Coaching is about setting goals, breaking them into steps, and walking with support and accountability as you move toward them.

You will never feel stagnant in coaching, because the focus is always forward. Even if your “goal” is less tangible — like wanting to feel calmer, more confident, or more connected to yourself — coaching creates momentum. Every session ends with clarity about your progress and your next steps.

Yes, there’s homework. We call them “action items,” and they’re part of what makes coaching so effective. Change doesn’t happen in a single conversation; it happens in the choices you make between sessions. By taking action, you reinforce the growth you’re creating, and you start to embody your best self in real time.

Coaching is rooted in the present moment and your future. We’ll talk about your past if it’s getting in the way of your goals — but only to understand it, not to live there.

Therapy: Understanding Your Past

Therapy is powerful in a different way. It’s more exploratory, less structured. You can spend an hour unpacking whatever is on your mind — a memory, a relationship, a challenge you’re navigating. Therapy gives space to heal old wounds and make sense of where you’ve been.

If you’re in a season where you need to process your past, untangle patterns, or simply have a safe space to explore, therapy may be the right choice. It can give you the understanding and healing you need before you feel ready to focus on goals and forward movement.

The Bridge Between Them

I like to think of therapy and coaching as points on the same bridge. Therapy helps you walk out of the past. Coaching helps you walk into your future. Both are valid, both are valuable — and you get to choose which step matters most right now.

Is Coaching Right for You?

If you find yourself asking questions like:

• What do I do next?

• How can I make lasting changes in my life?

• How can I accomplish ___?

• What can I do to feel amazing every day?

• Why am I stuck? How do I get unstuck?

• What else is possible for me?

• What does my best self really look like, and how can I embody her?

… then coaching may be right for you.

These are solution-seeker questions. They’re about action, momentum, courage, and stepping into possibility. Coaching meets you there and walks with you as you create what you’re craving.

A Final Note

Choosing between therapy and coaching isn’t about deciding which is “better.” It’s about listening inward and trusting what you need right now. There may be seasons in your life when therapy is the most supportive choice, and others when coaching gives you the clarity and fire you need.

Wherever you are, remember this: your willingness to seek support is a sign of strength, not weakness. It means you’re ready to grow, and that’s something to celebrate.

So let me ask you again:

What solution are you seeking right now?

With love,Kathleen