Therapy and coaching differ in their underlying assumptions and approaches. Therapy assumes the client needs healing from past issues and works to help them achieve self-understanding and emotional healing by exploring feelings, past events, and the unconscious mind. In contrast, coaching assumes the client is already whole and works to help them overcome barriers and learn new skills by focusing on actions, the future, and solving problems using the conscious mind to move the client to a higher level of functioning.

1. Therapy vs. Coaching
Therapy Coaching
Assumes the client needs healing Assumes the client is whole
Roots in medicine, psychiatry Roots in sports, business, personal growth venues
Works with people to achieve self-understanding Works to move people to a higher level of
and emotional healing functioning
Focuses on feelings and past events Focuses on actions and the future
Explores the root of problems Focuses on solving problems
Works to bring the unconscious into consciousness Works with the conscious mind
Works for internal resolution of pain and to let go of Works for external solutions to overcome barriers,
old patterns learn new skills and implement effective choices