Life Coach Vs. Therapist

Both a therapist and life coach aim to help clients achieve personal goals. However, it can be challenging to discern the differences between a life coach and a therapist. When deciding between a life coach and a therapist, there are some key differences to be aware of. Exploring life coach and therapist offerings and qualifications in may help you choose between life coach vs. therapist.

What is a therapist?

Those living with mental health challenges, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and other mental illnesses often benefit from the guidance of a therapist. Licensed therapists can help treat mental health issues and conditions through assessment, diagnosis, and talk therapy. A therapist may also provide direction in setting life goals, finding your potential, and finding solutions to life’s challenges. 

A therapist is educated with a minimum of a master's degree in psychology or counseling and licensed in the states where they offer services. Therapists complete 1,500-6,000 hours of supervised practice before earning licensure. Therapists are bound by legal and ethical codes that govern their conduct.

A therapist can assist you using numerous research-backed methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive processing therapy, and more. They may collaborate with clients to develop strength-based objectives, including improving reality testing, reframing, problem-solving, or communication skills. Therapists can also help you discover the roots of relationship problems, familial conflict, and career issues. Some therapists focus on helping clients heal from past trauma or overcome mental health challenges.

Generally speaking, therapy involves helping you improve your overall mental and emotional health. While a  therapist may not have a doctorate degree and thus be unable to prescribe medication, therapists can diagnose when needed and often coordinate with doctors to provide referrals when necessary. 

What is a life coach?

A life coach is a person who offers life coaching services. Generally speaking, one focuses on helping clients achieve personal growth and self-improvement. Life coach services can sometimes be beneficial for those who would like guidance and positive change in a particular area of life.

Life coaching is an unregulated profession, making it challenging for clients to properly vet them. There are no state licensing boards or universally accepted standards of education or training for a life coach. 

While healthy life coaching programs may exist, they often require extensive fees and twelve months or more of study. The expense and extended learning times associated with a life coach may make certification unattainable for many who want to become one. As a result, some people skip life coach-specific training and begin coaching clients without  training. 

An ethical life coach will not work with mental health problems if they arise. Instead, they may refer you to a therapist. Still, these professionals can help you with coaching your present feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to improve performance, develop your potential, help you with solutions, provide direction, and assist you with goal setting. A good coach may also help you with managing stress and improving relationship issues. Often, life coach sessions focus on one specific area of concern such as professional goals, relationships, or mental fitness. 

However, a counselor or therapist is more qualified to support you if you seek mental health treatment. 

Both can help you work toward your goals; but the success of each is often dependent, at least in part, on the professional life coach or therapist providing the services. Whether you choose one or the other, ensure they are qualified, meet your needs, and offer a price point within your budget. 

Vetting a therapist 

Therapists are mental health professionals who will often have a psychology or counseling degree and a license issued by their state. You can verify a therapist's license with your state's licensing board. You can also talk with any potential therapist to inquire about their educational background, professional expertise, issues they work with, and special training or certifications they may have. You may also be able to read reviews and comments left by past and present clients to learn more about their approach and client experiences.

Licensed therapists focus on mental health challenges by assessing your overall mental health. They may help you explore past trauma and develop a treatment plan with subsequent sessions designed to teach you coping skills. 

Only a therapist can treat mental health conditions. Therapy helps you to learn how to manage symptoms of anxiety or depression, among other mental health conditions. However, you do not need to have a mental health condition to see a counselor. They can also offer life advice, guidance, and goal-setting support. 

Vetting a life coach 

Vetting a life coach on your own could be more challenging because they may not have certification or training in giving advice. However, many life coaches are licensed through various organizations; for example, those who provide career coaching can obtain the Certified Professional Career Coach designation. You can inquire about or research one's educational background by doing an online search or speaking with them directly. However, you may be unable to verify that what they tell you is accurate. Life coaches work to help clients reach goals and manage stress and other problems in daily life, but they are not qualified to treat mental health conditions, which is the main difference between a therapist and life coach.

Life coach vs. Therapist: Pricing differences

Pricing can differ between sessions with a therapist or a life coach. Therapists often charge by the hour, and Forbes states the average in-person therapy appointment will cost $100-$200 within the US. Some people may attend sessions once or twice each month, while others attend sessions once or more each week, depending on their mental state. Your insurance might also cover sessions with a therapist if you have a referral from your doctor or are covered for mental health services. 

Online therapy may be beneficial when it comes to cost concerns. With many online therapy providers, mental health care services can include live sessions via phone, video, or chat in addition to messages between sessions. Before meeting with a therapist, learn more about their pay structure, including any cancellation or late fees they might charge. 

Insurance plans don't cover life coaches because they are unregulated and not qualified to treat mental health or other health conditions. 

You may regularly meet with a life coach at an office as you would with a therapist, and the life coach might charge by the hour or amount of time spent with them. Often, life coaches cost more than therapists. Before you start working with one, it can be helpful to understand what services they provide and how they charge for those services. 

Weighing the differences between the two can be challenging. Both can provide specific benefits, and your decision will often depend on your goals, concerns (e.g., a mental health condition, career challenges), and preferences. Therapists provide a health service and are trained to do so, but they may also provide the same services. Therapists are often trained to use proven modalities (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy) to address mental health concerns. Therapy often helps clients living with a mental health condition like depression, anxiety, or chronic stress. It isn't necessary to have a mental health challenge to talk with a licensed therapist though. 

Therapy options 

Reaching out to an in-person therapist may be challenging. Some individuals might feel the urge to reach out to a life coach because of their remote service options. In these cases, online therapy may provide a feasible alternative. This type of therapy can also be more flexible, as you can make appointments whenever your schedule allows. Research has also confirmed that online therapy can be effective for people experiencing various mental health conditions. For instance, a recent study found an online therapy program—which utilized principles from cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy— beneficial for those with depression and anxiety. 

If you're interested in trying therapy, you can consider signing up for an online platform like BetterHelp, which matches you with one of 30,000 providers. You can also choose between phone, video, and live chat sessions and receive worksheets, resources, and webinar options.