Do You Need a Coach or a Therapist? Here’s How to Tell (and Why a Coach Might Be What You’re Looking For)

Therapists Help You Heal the Past

Therapists are trained professionals who focus on diagnosing and treating mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and unresolved emotional pain. If you're struggling with mental health concerns or emotional wounds from the past, therapy provides the space to heal and develop coping strategies.

For example, someone dealing with childhood trauma or grief might find therapy helpful to work through deep-rooted pain and process these emotions in a safe, supportive environment. Therapy digs into the past, identifies harmful patterns, and equips you with tools to move forward more healthily.

Coaches Help You Focus on the Future

Coaches, on the other hand, are not healthcare providers. Instead, they partner you in achieving specific goals, helping you clarify your vision, overcome blocks, and create actionable plans to succeed in any area of life. Whether you're looking to grow your career, achieve personal goals, or increase your confidence, a coach helps you move forward.

For instance, if you're an entrepreneur overwhelmed with the day-to-day operations of your business, a coach can help you develop time management strategies and refine your business goals. Coaching is all about unlocking your potential and guiding you toward your future aspirations.

If you're unsure whether a therapist or a coach is the right fit for you, consider asking yourself the following questions:

1. Am I feeling emotionally stuck because of past trauma or mental health challenges?

If you're grappling with issues like anxiety, depression, or unresolved emotional wounds, therapy is likely the best route. Therapists specialise in helping you process emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

2. Do I feel stuck because I lack direction, clarity, or confidence about the future?

If you're feeling lost in your career or unsure of how to move forward in life, coaching may be more appropriate. Coaches help you gain clarity, create a vision for your future, and provide the tools to move forward confidently.

3. Do I need someone to listen, or someone to push me into action?

Therapists offer a supportive space to explore your emotions, while coaches focus on helping you turn your dreams into actionable steps. For example, if you're telling yourself, "I need to stop procrastinating and make things happen," a coach can help you hold yourself accountable.

There are several situations where working with a coach can be especially effective:

1. You Have Specific Goals

Do you want to build a thriving business, get in shape, or achieve better work-life balance? Coaches help you set clear, actionable goals and develop a roadmap to achieve them. They help you focus on your aspirations and provide the motivation to stay on track.

2. You’re Ready for Change but Don’t Know Where to Start

If you’re ready to change but feel unsure about where to begin, coaching can provide the structure and guidance to kickstart your transformation. Coaches help you take the first step toward realising your vision, breaking down big goals into achievable actions.

3. You Want Accountability

Sometimes, we know what we need to do, but we lack the motivation or consistency to follow through. A coach holds you accountable, helping you stay on track with your commitments and goals.

4. You’re Already in a Good Place Mentally but Want More

If you're emotionally stable but feel that something is missing—like a sense of purpose or fulfillment—a coach can help you level up and create the life you’ve always dreamed of. Coaches are excellent at guiding you from “good” to “great” by maximising your potential.

Imagine you’re lost in the middle of a forest:

A therapist would help you understand how you ended up in the forest, analysing your past decisions and experiences that led you there.

A coach would provide you with a map, help you find your way out, and walk beside you as you journey toward your desired destination.