Therapy vs. Coaching - What’s the Difference?
Written by: Deb Marsella, AS, ACC, CPCC
April 1, 2023
The Christian Counseling Center of San Jose has recently added Professional Coaching to our diverse group of trained therapists, and with that comes the understandable question, “What’s the difference between therapy and coaching?”
In short, therapists are trained mental health professionals licensed to diagnose and treat mental illness, trauma, and wellness. Coaching focuses on mental fitness to support the client in achieving goals, making behavior changes, shifting perspectives, and increasing emotional resiliency. Both professions are serving the same goal, which is to help those in need find their way back to wholeness, and in many ways can overlap in approach.
In the July 2022 issue of Psychology Today, it states, “New research finds coaching to be on par with therapy.” The article highlighted several key points:
Some 40 percent of U.S. adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression during the pandemic up from 10 percent pre-pandemic.
There is a dramatic shortage of licensed therapists in the U.S. and beyond.
Certified coaches trained in evidence-based mental health approaches could help fill the gap, new research suggests.
58 percent of patients with depression symptoms experienced clinical recovery after at least one session with a certified coach.
Often people will shy away from seeking mental health support as they don’t want to feel like something is wrong with them. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Prince Harry spoke about the importance of striving for mental fitness saying, “Much work remains in destigmatizing mental health. This is about acknowledging that it isn’t so much what is wrong with us, but more about what has happened to us over the course of life. Often because of societal barriers, financial difficulty, or stigma, too many people aren’t able to focus on their mental health until they’re forced to. I want us to move away from the idea that you have to feel broken before reaching out for help.”
To that end, Prince Harry, long known as a mental health advocate, recently joined the Silicon Valley startup company, BetterUp as their Chief Impact Officer. BetterUp, founded, in 2013 is the inventor of virtual coaching and
the largest mental health and coaching startup in the world.
As a certified coach, I joined CCC because I align with their vision for all people to be aware of and have access to Christian mental health services, and to be a lighthouse of help, hope, and healing to all who seek it. I am here to support your mental fitness. Areas I specialize in are:
Personal Growth
Relationships
Professional Development
Organization and Productivity
I’m an intuitive, results-oriented coach with a lifelong passion for understanding the human condition. My intention is to help my clients move past their stopping points - so they can make the contribution they’re here to make.
At CCC, our light comes from the brilliance of Jesus Christ, illuminating our center, our valley, and our world. Our ministry acknowledges the complexity of humans as physical, social, psychological, and spiritual beings. The ultimate goal of Christian counseling is to help people move to personal wholeness, interpersonal competence, mental stability, and spiritual maturity.
So, whether it’s therapy or coaching, know that you’re not alone. We’ll discover together the best direction to support you in the way that feels most aligned with you.
Deb Marsella, AS, ACC, CPCC
Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Certified Co-Active Professional Coach (CCPC)
