Counseling and Coaching

"Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals." - American Counseling Association

 For many, the differences and similarities between counseling and coaching can be very confusing.

Coaching is a here and now focused process with the aim of improving performance on a specific personal or professional goal. Unlike Counseling, coaching does not delve into the past or make plans for the distant future. Coaching does not delve into the psyche in the same way that counseling does.

Reasons to pursue coaching rather than counseling: Your primary goal to improve upon specific performance or skills. You want to look at the present to improve the immediate future. Your priorities are primarily based on the outcomes of your decision making and behaviors.

Reasons to pursue counseling rather than coaching: Your primary goal is to help resolve emotional problems and conflicts in interpersonal relationships. You want to explore issues from the past to help improve the present and future.  You want treatment for a diagnosed mental illness in order to appropriately address symptoms. You want greater understanding and appreciation of others.