All posts by Thomas Kress

How is Therapeutic Coaching different from other coaching modalities?

Coaching

While primarily a coaching methodology, Therapeutic Coaching (TC) incorporates psychotherapeutic skills and methods, and aims towards transformational change in a similar way to psychotherapy.

While Therapeutic Coaches are trauma informed, we don’t work with deep and debilitating traumas. Those are best left to a health professional who is specifically trained to work with Trauma. As such A TC practitioner is likely to refer or work in collaboration with a qualified Mental Health Practitioner if you are suffering from active trauma  or not coping with an existing mental health or emotional health condition.

How is coaching different to therapy?

Coaching, Psychotherapy

Coaching and psychotherapy both aim to help people grow, develop, and overcome obstacles, but they have distinct approaches, goals, and contexts.

Coaching is often future-oriented, focusing on achieving specific personal or professional goals, improving performance, and developing new skills. It’s typically solution-focused, helping clients identify and move toward goals, often related to career, relationships, or personal growth.

Psychotherapy delves deeper, often addressing underlying emotional and psychological issues, past trauma, and mental health conditions. It may explore past experiences to understand current feelings, behaviors, and thoughts, aiming to heal or manage emotional or psychological difficulties.

Coaching is typically not appropriate for diagnosing or treating mental health conditions. Coaches may refer clients to a therapist if mental health concerns are evident.

Psychotherapy is designed to address mental health issues and is the appropriate setting for people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, or other emotional or psychological difficulties.

Coaching often has a shorter-term, goal-specific focus, with sessions designed to achieve concrete results in weeks or months.

Psychotherapy can vary from short-term to long-term, depending on the complexity of issues, with some clients attending therapy for years to explore and resolve deep-seated issues.

Coaching emphasizes partnership, with the coach as a collaborator, and the client viewed as resourceful and capable of achieving their goals.

Therapy involves a therapeutic alliance that can be more nurturing and empathetic, sometimes involving more emotional processing and support to create a safe space for vulnerable exploration.