Coaching vs. Therapy: Understanding the Difference and Finding What Works for You
Understanding the Key Differences Between Coaching and Therapy and How to Choose the Right Path for Your Personal Growth
Coaching vs. Therapy: Which One Is Right for You?
When you're ready to move forward in life, face an obstacle, feel lost, or simply need to level up, you come to a crucial decision: Who will help you? We all need a "who." Doing the work of personal growth alone is tough. We can't see what we don't see. I learned that early on—if I was going to grow, I needed help. My life was full of trauma, hurts, and physical pain. I knew I was meant for more, but I needed guidance to navigate it.
I worked with a coach who absolutely changed my life. I would not be where I am today without him. He was my "who."
So, where do you start? How do you find the right person to guide you?
Today, I want to talk about coaching vs. therapy. What’s the difference, and which one should you choose?
Both coaching and therapy offer powerful benefits, but they serve distinctly different purposes. How do you know which one will truly serve you? Let’s break it down.
What Is Coaching?
Coaching is pure action.
A skilled coach helps you break through barriers, gain clarity, and build the skills needed for lasting change. This isn’t about generic advice—it’s a tailored, action-based approach designed specifically for you. A well-trained coach digs deep into your world, identifies blind spots, and creates a personalized plan that MOVES you forward. Whether you need to craft a compelling vision, CRUSH your goals, boost your confidence, increase your income, shift your career, or navigate marriage and parenting challenges, coaching is the engine that drives real, action-packed results.
Great coaches don’t just give suggestions—they ask bold, thought-provoking questions that challenge you and ignites movement. Their recommendations are rooted in deep insight and practical experience, pushing you to take steps that create change.
Unfortunately, the coaching industry isn’t regulated, and coaches are not mandated reporters. It’s crucial to make sure the coach you decide to work with is properly trained.
What Is Therapy?
Therapy is about deep healing through conversation.
Often called talk therapy, therapy is a gentler, process-driven approach designed to help you heal deep emotional wounds and process past traumas. Therapists are highly trained professionals, regulated and equipped to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They provide a safe, structured space for healing—a space that becomes part of your permanent record if you choose that route. If you’re facing significant emotional distress or clinical challenges, therapy offers the rigorous support you need.
Therapists excel in attentive listening and use cognitive questions to help you explore your internal world. Their approach is methodical and patient, guiding you step-by-step through the process of understanding and healing. Many people come to me after not seeing the results they were promised by therapy. That doesn't mean therapy doesn't work—it simply means they didn’t fully understand what therapy truly offers or what they actually needed.
After more than a decade in therapy with an excellent psychologist. I still felt as though I had no control over my own life. Frustration, anger, and the bitter weight of “my yesterdays” continued to drag me down as they had for nearly half my life. I can honestly say that, after only a few months of working with Leisa, I feel a sense of self-determination and the ability to enjoy life returning in a way that I haven’t felt in longer than I can remember and really never expected to feel again. I am profoundly grateful to her and could not recommend her any more highly.
Rob, Small Business Owner
Who Is Therapy For?
Therapy is best suited for those dealing with major emotional distress, PTSD, or clinical conditions that require a structured, medically-informed approach.
Therapists have undergone extensive training to provide you with a secure, long-term path for deep healing and transformation. If your challenges demand clinical expertise and deep healing, therapy is the right path for you.
Who Is Coaching For?
I love coaching. After all, I’ve been a coach for 15 years. I have hundreds of success stories, and I know without a doubt that coaching can help YOU! I believe everyone could use a coach. Coaching is for those who are ready to take bold, decisive action and achieve measurable results. It’s for individuals looking to:
✔️ Develop emotional resilience
✔️ Master practical tools for managing stress and anxiety
✔️ Gain clarity and unwavering confidence
✔️ Set and crush meaningful, transformative goals
✔️ Enhance relationships and communication
Coaching is about growth and making tangible changes—it’s not just conversation; it’s a commitment to action.
Picking the Right Coach or Therapist.
How do you know where to start when there are coaches everywhere you turn? Coaches who make great promises but can’t deliver the results you need. I’m not here to bash the coaching industry—I’m here to tell you that you REALLY need to know who you’re hiring. PS: Stay tuned for my next blog—I’m going to arm you with all the information you need to pick the right one.
The first step in choosing a coach or therapist is understanding exactly what you need. This is critical. If you're seeking someone to help manage anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm, ensure they are trained—whether they’re a coach or a therapist. Don’t let someone into your space without truly knowing who they are.
I have undergone extensive training and bring real coaching skills to the table. I run a full-blown coach training program that holds coaches to high standards before they even graduate. When clients come to me after a bad experience elsewhere, it’s often because they didn’t know the difference between a qualified coach and someone who isn’t equipped for the work.
I take a specific approach: I work with you to process emotions, gain clarity, and build a structured plan to reclaim control of your life. I do not engage in clinical therapy—I don’t prescribe or adjust medications; that’s for medical professionals. Instead, I use proven coaching strategies and, when needed, collaborate with therapists to ensure you receive the maximum benefit.
Knowing When to Work With a Coach vs. a Therapist
The bottom line is to know what you need and commit to an approach that works for you and your goals. Whether you require the rapid, action-driven results of coaching or the deep, methodical healing of therapy, choose the path that aligns with you and your needs.
Do not wait—start your process now. We all need support, and the most important step is taking action.
As much as I love coaching, I believe the coaching industry is a mess. Too many coaches are messing with people's lives, and it’s hard to know who to trust anymore. We must be discerning about who we trust with our growth. Avoid overly marketed, untested programs—choose a coach who prioritizes your well-being over their ego or a $27 program promising results. The best coaches know when to step back and ensure they are a fit for you, making sure you get the support you need, not just enrolling you in a program. A big step you can take today is to pray for direction and clarity on where to start, ensuring your path is guided with wisdom.
I'm here to help. Visit www.leisajenkins.com to connect with me personally.
I also want to hear from you—drop a comment below and share your honest experiences with coaching and therapy. Which approach has made a real difference for you? Let's have a genuine conversation about what works and why?
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