What is the difference between Counselling/Psychotherapy and Coaching?
In the United States,anyone can call himself a Coach and provide coaching. Counselors are generally trained in psychology at the Masters Level and may provide counseling and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is used for treating nervous and mental disorders and those who provide psychotherapy and either Clinical Social Workers, Clinical Psychologists are Psychiatrists. It is impossible to tell the discipline of the provider by listening to tapes or viewing videos of psychotherapy sessions.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 62% of all mental health services in the United States are provided by Clinical Social Workers.
Counselling/Psychotherapy and Coaching ostensibly may appear to share some similarities, but in significant ways are actually quite different. Coaching is strongly grounded in work effectiveness and performance, rather than wider life issues. Whilst certain skill-sets seem to coexist; the Counsellor or Psychotherapist is typically trained to work at a far deeper level than a Coach; particularly where psychological and emotional issues exist. In contrast to Coaches, Psychotherapists are very careful about boundary issues; and do not have contact with patients/clients outside of the immediate working relationship. Moreover, should a Psychotherapist possess a sound medical grounding also, he/she shall be better placed (as opposed to a Coach) to consider all the aspects of your health, and their potential contribution to your mental wellbeing.
