Coaching vs. Therapy

I have served my community through therapy in Oklahoma and Virginia since 2016 and began coaching in 2018.

There are a fewkey differences between coaching and therapy that I feel are important for you to know before making your decision to go one way or another or even do both.

Therapy:

Therapy can only be services by a licensed provider. These providers typically have a minimum of a Master's Degree, unless under supervision of another licensed provider, have met the required minimum of supervised working hours, and have passed at least 1 licensing exam.

There are several branches of therapy including, but not limited to , Licensed Clinical Social Workers, License Professional Counselors, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. The major difference between them is the licensing board that they are held accountable by that determines how many hours they need before qualifying, which state licensure exam they take for their credentials, how many hours of continuing education credits they are responsible for obtaining to maintain their license, and expected code of conduct. There are slight differences in the modalities used or focused on with each license, however, it really comes down to how the individual works.

Therapy is a medical service that is often covered by insurance. However, insurance can decline your claims or decide to not pay for services until you have met a deductible. Insurance also demands that in order for services to be paid the patient or client must have a diagnosis they deem as appropriate for payment, often declining diagnoses that speak to a shorter term and less chronic. This means that if you came to meet with a therapist because you are experiencing grief or have had an increase in stress over the past 3 weeks the therapist is required to make a diagnosis that the insurance company will accept so that you can be supported. They are free to decline leaving you with an unexpected bill. No, insurance agents doing the approving are not licensed clinicians and do not study diagnosing or symptoms.

Insurance companies can also determine how often they will pay for you to see a provider in a week or a month. And the therapist, just like you doctor, must be credentialed with your particular insurance company and in network or you may have to still pay out of pocket.

Therapy is typically restrictive in that it is frowned upon for you to follow your clinician on social media or buy a product or resource from their store that you really like or attending a paid event hosted by the therapist. Most boards view this as a dual relationship and concer becomes that it may be a possible conflict of interest.

Lastly, therapists may only serve clients in the state that they are licensed in and must continue paying licensing boards to maintain those licenses and continue seeing clients.

Coaching

Many therapists have begun adding coaching to their resume to reach more people and to diversify their income, cuz I don't know if you heard but we don't make a lot, lol.

Some coaches have taken courses to become certified in coaching.

Insurance does not typically pay for coaching services because without a diagnosis it is not considered to be a medical service.

As a coach with professional training and experience as a therapist I still use many of the therapy modalities that I learned in school just in a way that fits my style better than what is often dictated by agencies and/or insurance companies.

With coaching you are not restricted by where we can meet - if you would like to meet at your home or in a coffee shop or as we take a walk or in the library we are free to do so. If you live in Wisconsin and your therapist is licensed in Wisconsin but you vacation to Hawaii and your therapist in not licensed in Hawaii you will need to wait until you return to Wisconsin to meet with your therapist even if your sessions are virtual. With coaching your coach can meet with you wherever the two of you are located.

You will also be able to meet as many times and meet for a longer amount of time if necessary and offered. Should you need an additional hour for therapy your insurance will likely decline paying for the second hour and you would have to pay for the additional hour anyway.

And of course, as your coach offers group programs, resources, products and events that would aid you in your life enhancing goals you will have access to those without restriction.

I am sure that there are several other differences between the two, however in respect of time and length of this post this is where I will end. Other therapists and coaches may have additional perspectives. This post is not to persuade you to choose one way or another. To be honest, I enjoy having a therapist and a coach on my team. I believe in stacking your team with whoever is going to be best for your full potential. These are the major differences that I have witnessed and experienced and what led to offer coaching. It is all to better serve my people in the way that I thrive the best which gets the absolute best results for you.

Coaching with Notes by Khia

Everyone runs their program differently. Office Hours is my coaching program with services for individuals and families toreceive individualized support in your mental health and wellness goals. Office hours includes Decompression Sessions for individuals seeking support with stress, anxiety, overwhelm, neurodivergent symptom challenges, overcoming traumas and support in breaking unhealthy cycles. Family Wellness Sessions are for families who need support in creating healthy interactions, suporting one another's mental and emotional wellness, , changing behaviors, and strengthening relationships.

Have more questions or still unsure if coaching is for you? Book a free meet and greet session with Khia to ask your questions!