An exploration of the differences between the fields of Coaching and Counselling
Posted on July 30, 2022 by Anne Walder, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
An exploration of the differences between the fields of Coaching and counselling (therapy). Why oppose them when they can be combined?
Studies and training are more intense and longer for the field of counselling and/or therapy than the ones of coaching (Jordan & Livingstone, 2013) and the latter has no mandatory requirement for licensing while the other has (ibid.). This makes sense as the spread and width of their roles are very different.
According to the NBHWC (2022), the wellness coach works, without judgment, into improving the clients’ well-being. This is reached through positive changes (Hart, Blattner & Leipsic, 2001) that are self-directed, lasting and lined up to their values as the coachees take control (Perlman & Abu Dabrh, 2020) and are considered experts. In other words, the wellness coach promotes the clients’ health self-awareness and well-being (Jordan & Livingstone, 2013).
Whereas the psychotherapist concentrates on mental disorders enumerated in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (DSM-V)”. That said a psychotherapist may also operate on similar or same health coaching issues (ibid). I was clear before reading this paper on the fact that a health coach cannot assess and diagnose (Brennan, 2021) but psychotherapists do (Jordan & Livingstone, 2013).
However, I had never thought of these professions from the client’s expectations point of view. This provided interesting perspectives; especially the fact that clients may feel more comfortable reaching out to a health coach rather than a psychotherapist, as they may be afraid to think of themselves as having a mental disorder (ibid.) and/or even worry about others’ perceptions and avoid treatment to prevent stigma (Corrigan, 2004).
Continuing education seems obvious to me in both professions, although it is not mandatory for wellness coaches and compulsory in the other (Jordan & Livingstone, 2013). That said, the NBHWC requires continuing education credits for recertification to promote the coaches’ professional development and their knowledge and awareness of actual trends (NBHWC, 2022).
I like the fact that there is a concern in terms of diversity and cultural sensitivity in psychotherapy and coaching (Jordan & Livingstone, 2013). This is not just about these professions, I think that it is a reflection to have throughout most, not to say all professions.
Next, I noted that a therapist and a coach working together were discussed in 2013 by Barber who already highlighted that more can be accomplished when these two professionals work as a team. However, Jordan & Livingstone (2013) warned that confidentiality and privacy should be preserved, and the clients are the only ones who should decide if they wish to share that they are on therapy (Ibid.). Moreover, it is important to highlight the existence of common approaches used by both psychotherapists and coaches. These articulate around “positive psychology, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, strengths-based focus, professional conduct and ethics and solution-oriented focus” (ibid.).
However, in terms of the quality of the relationship with the clients, the lack of psychology’s awareness, knowledge and skills may leave any unqualified coach unarmed against some effects such as the client’s transference, countertransference and projections which may disrupt, constrain or even block the coachee/coach relationship (ibid). Luckily, I have studied psychology during my doctoral studies in andragogy which can potentially be of benefit to my clients during coaching sessions.
References:
Barber, A. (2013). When coaches and therapists work together. David Clutterbuck Partnership.
Brennan, D. (2021). How to work with a health coach. WebMD.
Corrigan, P.W. (2004). Familiarity with mental illness and social distance from people with schizophrenia and major depression. Schizophrenia Research, 69, 175–182.
Hart, V., Blattner, J. and Leipsic, S. (2001). Coaching versus therapy: A perspective. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 53(4), 229‐237.
Jordan, M. and Livingstone, J.B. (2013). Coaching vs Psychotherapy in Health and Wellness: Overlap, Dissimilarities, and the Potential for Collaboration. Global advances in health and Medicine, 2(4), 20-27.
National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching.
Perlman, A. and Abu Dabrh, A.M. (2020). Health and Wellness Coaching in Serving the Needs of Today’s Patients: A Primer for Healthcare Professionals. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 9.
