Counseling and Coaching: Distinctions and Similarities
Counseling and Coaching: Distinctions and Similarities
A Practitioner’s Perspective by Elizabeth Bridges
During an initial call, the client declared, “I’m stuck in a rut with a big fat gut.” Was he a counseling or a coaching client? Was the comment an effort at humor or an appropriate metaphor for a mental diagnosis? Does the client need a coach or a counselor? Coaching and counseling are inherently different but bear some similarities in purpose and practice. In this article, we pragmatically consider some differences between coaching and counseling.
Historically, counseling is a widely known service, while coaching is relatively new on the scene. Though increasingly more mainstream, counseling for a long-time was taboo in some segments of society. To be told that you needed counseling was paramount to saying, “You’re crazy!” Coaching is new on the scene and is more acceptable--more bourgeois.
Counseling often involves interactions with EAPs and insurance companies. Clients receive a DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual- Manual of Mental Disorders) diagnosis with counseling. Therefore, with a mental diagnosis there is often financial support for the client. Opposite for a self-referring coaching client, expenses are often out-of-pocket. It goes without saying that an out-of-pocket expense is prohibitive for some populations.
Additionally, the coach is more likely to connect with self-starters who are seeking someone to hold them accountable, as they partner and design a plan to reach the stated goal. The counselor, often comes into the life of his client when the client is in crisis---facing some emotional or psychological trauma. With both counseling and coaching, clients desire a safe place to grow.
The licensed counselor is bound by ethics and standards and regularly must credential/recredential via an exam. Dependent on whether a coach is connected with some governing agency, they may also be required to adhere to certain standards and to recredential. Counselors (in NC) must recredential every two years and always maintain liability insurance. Both counselors and coaches are well trained with many opportunities for continued training, such as the training provided through the Triad Coaching Connection.
Both practitioners will have identified goals and expected outcomes for their clients. However, the over-weight client, introduced earlier, seen by a coach is likely to feel more personally engaged; while the same client, being counseled will get the feel of being assessed, diagnosed and treated---with a treatment plan in place. With both practitioners, success is dependent on the client’s readiness to change and his ability to adhere to the plan.
Just so, you’ll know—the client who self-described as ‘’ stuck in a rut with a big fat gut” was a counseling client who had a history of depression and her care was covered through insurance.
Elizabeth Bridges is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Board Certified Coach (BCC). She is the author of a book, How Do I Get There From Here and a workbook Claiming Your Divine Calling.