As a new coach, it’s critical to understand how coaching differs from therapy
TL;DR: Coaching and therapy may look similar on the surface, but they serve fundamentally different purposes. Coaching sessions focus on mental well-being, goal achievement, and positive psychology, while therapy is focused on mental health challenges, emotional healing, and clinical treatment. A coach or a therapist operates within distinct boundaries—coaches focus on the future and action, while therapists work through the past to heal. For aspiring coaches, understanding the major difference between coaching vs therapy is crucial for ethical practice, staying within scope, and ensuring clients get the right kind of support. Read on to master the professional boundaries that define great coaching!
Defining Main Differences Between Life Coaching and Therapy
Coaching Defined: The ICF defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” () In practice, coaching is a collaborative, goal-oriented relationship. The client is seen as whole, resourceful, and capable, and the coach’s role is to facilitate growth, clarify goals, and co-create strategies for forward action. Coaching conversations focus on the present and future – what the client wants to achieve and how to get there – rather than dwelling extensively on the past. A hallmark of coaching is that it is not clinical: coaches do not diagnose mental disorders or delve into deep psychotherapy. Instead, coaching assumes the client is psychologically able to take action on goals.
Therapy Defined: Therapy (also called counseling or psychotherapy) is a form of healthcare provided by licensed professionals (such as psychologists, counselors, or psychiatrists) aimed at treating mental health issues and facilitating emotional healing. It is a clinical treatment approach for people experiencing mental illness, emotional distress, or behavioral problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, psychotherapy is a type of treatment that helps individuals with a wide array of mental health conditions and emotional challenges – it can alleviate symptoms and often addresses the root causes of one’s difficulties to promote healing and improved functioning (). Therapy often involves exploring a client’s past experiences, traumas, and underlying beliefs in order to understand present problems and develop coping strategies for a healthier future. The therapist is trained to diagnose conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety disorders) and provide evidence-based interventions to treat them. Therapeutic work may be longer-term and can be either short or long in duration depending on the issues at hand. In short, therapy focuses on “why” – why a person feels or behaves a certain way, especially as influenced by the past, with the goal of healing and symptom relief.
Surface Similarities: Despite their differences, coaching and therapy share some common ground. Both involve one-on-one confidential conversations in which a client discusses their feelings, challenges, and aspirations with a trained professional. In both coaching and therapy, a strong trusting relationship is essential, and clients often gain greater self-awareness through the process. Both coaches and therapists use skills like active listening, empathy, powerful questioning, and goal-setting to support positive change. Indeed, both modalities ultimately aim to help clients make positive changes in their lives and realize their potential or well-being. For example, a coaching dialogue and a therapy session might each explore a client’s beliefs and behaviors and encourage new perspectives. Because of these overlaps, clients may sometimes feel that coaching conversations can be “exploratory and open-ended” and similar in tone to therapy in terms of personal insight. However, any similarities exist on the surface – the fundamental goals and methods of coaching vs. therapy remain distinct.
Core Differences: It is vital for a new coach to grasp the key differences between the two disciplines. Below is a summary of the fundamental distinctions:
Focus and Scope: Coaching is present- and future-focused, centered on goal achievement and personal/professional development. In contrast, therapy often focuses on the past and present in order to resolve psychological issues – therapists help clients heal from past traumas, mental health conditions, and deep-seated emotional issues. A coach works with clients who are fundamentally healthy (though they may be facing challenges), whereas a therapist may work with clients who are struggling with mental illness or significant emotional distress and need healing before they can move forward.
Client’s Starting Point: Coaches typically work with well-functioning individuals – people who are at a baseline level of mental and emotional health and are ready to grow or improve in some area (). Coaching assumes the client does not require psychological treatment. Therapists, however, are qualified to work with individuals across a spectrum of functioning, including those who cannot function well in daily life due to mental health issues. If a person’s daily functioning (work, self-care, relationships) is impaired by psychological problems, that person falls squarely in the therapy realm rather than coaching.
Qualifications and Regulation: Therapists are licensed healthcare professionals with extensive education and clinical training. For example, a licensed therapist typically holds at least a master’s (or doctoral) degree in a counseling or clinical field, has completed supervised clinical hours, and must adhere to state licensing laws and professional ethics. They diagnose and treat mental disorders as part of their scope of practice. Coaching, by contrast, is an unregulated industry – anyone can call themselves a coach – but reputable coaches often pursue certifications through organizations like the ICF. Coaches are not “licensed” by states for mental health practice. Instead, they may earn credentials (such as ICF’s ACC, PCC, MCC) by completing coach training, being mentored, and demonstrating coaching competency. The training for coaches focuses on coaching skills and ethics, not clinical therapy techniques.
Nature of the Work: A therapist’s work often involves in-depth processing of emotions, exploring “why” certain patterns exist, and working through pain or trauma for the sake of healing. Therapy may involve diagnosing conditions, implementing specific therapeutic techniques (CBT, EMDR, etc.), and sometimes integrating medication management (by psychiatrists or in collaboration with physicians) for mental health disorders. Coaching work is action-oriented and solution-focused: coaches do not dwell on the origins of emotional problems but instead help clients set concrete goals, explore strategies, and support them in creating accountability structures that align with their needs. Unlike directive approaches, ethical coaching does not involve the coach assigning homework or acting as an accountability enforcer. Instead, a coach collaborates with the client to co-design methods of accountability that are effective and sustainable for them. This ensures that the client remains empowered in their own growth process without creating a dependency on the coach. Coaching sessions focus on the client taking ownership of their actions, refining their strategies, and maintaining momentum toward their desired goals, all while fostering self-reliance and long-term development. In contrast, while therapy can also involve assignments, it often prioritizes insight and emotional processing over homework-driven behavioral change. Additionally, the coaching relationship is often structured for a defined period or until specific goals are met, and then it concludes – coaching “does not go on forever” as an indefinite support. Therapy length varies but can be open-ended, especially for chronic issues.
Medical Orientation: Therapy operates under a healthcare model – the therapist is addressing mental health, which can sometimes mean the client is considered a patient with a diagnosis (though not all therapy clients have a diagnosable disorder). Coaching operates under a personal development model, not a medical one. Coaches do not diagnose conditions or pathologize the client’s situation; instead, they treat coaching as a growth process for a generally healthy individual. If a client does present what seems like a mental disorder, a coach must recognize that this is beyond their role (more on that in later sections).
Ethical Boundaries: Because therapists are healthcare providers, they have strict ethical codes, confidentiality laws (e.g., HIPAA in the US), and often a duty to ensure client safety (including the ability to hospitalize clients in crisis or report abuse in certain cases). Coaches also have ethical standards (especially if ICF-certified) but are generally not bound by healthcare privacy laws. The ethical practice of coaching emphasizes transparency about the coaching process, maintaining confidentiality as agreed, and referring out to other professionals if a client’s needs fall outside the coach’s competencies. Coaches do not have authority to intervene in clients’ lives in the way a therapist might in an emergency; a coach must instead encourage the client to seek therapy if a severe issue arises (or contact emergency services if there is immediate risk of harm).
In summary, therapy is about uncovering and recovering, while coaching is about discovering and empowering. A therapist is like an archaeologist, carefully excavating the past, uncovering what is buried, and mending the broken pieces to restore wholeness. In contrast, a coach is like a cartographer, inviting the client to chart their own course. The coach does not dictate the path but helps the client map possibilities, clarify direction, and navigate obstacles, ensuring they move forward with confidence and purpose. If a client is not yet at baseline health—struggling with severe depression, trauma, or emotional distress—then excavation and healing must come first. Therapy is needed to uncover, mend, and restore before a client can effectively move forward. But if a client is emotionally well and simply seeks clarity, direction, and a way to navigate their goals, coaching serves as the map-making process, helping them chart their course with confidence. Understanding these distinctions ensures that coaches stay within their role and provide the right kind of support.
Professional Boundaries: Staying in the Coaching Lane
One of the first lessons for any new coach is this: Coaching is not therapy. Coaches must establish and maintain clear professional boundaries to ensure they do not stray into therapeutic territory. This protects the client’s well-being and the coach’s integrity. Here are key boundaries and guidelines to respect:
Clarify the Coaching Scope from the Outset: Make sure the client understands what coaching entails (and what it doesn’t). The ICF Code of Ethics explicitly instructs coaches to “carefully explain… the nature of coaching, the nature and limits of confidentiality, financial arrangements, and any other terms of the coaching agreement” before or at the first meeting. In practice, many coaches include a statement in their client agreement that delineates coaching vs. therapy. For example, an ICF publication suggests language like: “Coaching is not therapy. I do not work on ‘issues’ or dig into the past… We will look at where you are today and help you move forward… If I feel other professional services are required, I will request you get the help you need.”. Setting this understanding up front ensures both coach and client know the boundaries of the relationship.
Do Not Diagnose or Treat Mental Health Issues: As a coach, never attempt to diagnose a client with any condition (depression, ADHD, etc.), even if you have some psychology background. Diagnosis is outside the coaching scope. Equally important, do not attempt to provide treatment for mental health problems – “a coach does not diagnose nor does a coach offer treatment.” If a client reveals symptoms of a possible mental disorder or asks for advice related to psychological trauma, medication, etc., recognize that these concerns should be addressed by a licensed therapist or medical professional, not by you as their coach. Maintaining this boundary means if a session begins to turn into processing deep emotional pain or past trauma, a coach should gently remind the client of the coaching focus and, if needed, refer them to therapy (more on referral process below).
Maintain Confidentiality and Trust: While coaches are not bound by healthcare laws, ethical coaches treat client information with the utmost confidentiality. The ICF Code of Ethics requires coaches to maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality with client information, only breaking it if required by law (for instance, if there is an imminent risk of serious harm) (). Building trust means the client can be open, but the coach must also remember not to probe into areas that were agreed to be off-limits. For example, if a client briefly mentions a painful past experience and the coach senses it’s a therapeutic issue, the coach should not press further or “dig” for details – that would risk crossing into a counseling role and could re-traumatize the client. Instead, the coach might acknowledge it and ask if focusing on how it affects their current goals would be helpful, or suggest that topic might be one to explore with a therapist.
Avoid Dual Relationships and Conflicts of Interest: Keep the relationship professional. A coach should not have any other significant relationship with the client outside of coaching (e.g. hiring a current client as a close employee, becoming close personal friends, etc., can muddle the professional boundary). Importantly, never engage in a romantic or sexual relationship with a current client – this is a serious ethical violation in both coaching and therapy fields. The ICF Code explicitly states “Do not engage in sexual or romantic relationships with clients.” (). Maintain clear roles: you are the coach, not a friend or lover. Additionally, be mindful of conflicts of interest – for example, if you are coaching someone in your workplace where you also supervise them in a job capacity, that’s a boundary issue. Such situations should be handled with transparency or avoided.
Stay Within Your Competence: Know your limits as a coach. Ethically, a coach should only practice within the areas they are trained and skilled in. If a client’s challenge goes beyond your expertise, do not pretend to have answers – either refer them to another coach or professional, or seek supervision/mentoring. The ICF core competencies and ethics emphasize that coaches must recognize when an issue is beyond their scope and refer the client to other support professionals when appropriate (). For instance, if you are a career coach and your client starts having intense marital problems affecting their work, you might continue coaching on work-related matters but suggest they see a couples therapist for the marriage issues. Upholding this boundary protects the client from subpar help and protects you from working in areas where you aren’t qualified.
In essence, professional boundaries for coaches boil down to this: focus on coaching, and leave therapy to therapists. By setting clear expectations, not crossing into diagnosis or trauma-processing, respecting confidentiality, and practicing only in your zone of competence, you honor both your client and your profession. When in doubt about a boundary, consult the ICF Code of Ethics and remember that the client’s well-being is the priority – if they need something beyond what you can provide as a coach, it’s both ethical and necessary to speak up and possibly refer them to the appropriate resource.
Trauma Awareness (Not Treatment)
Many clients come to coaching carrying the invisible weight of past trauma or emotional wounds. As a coach, you are likely to encounter trauma-related issues indirectly, even if you do not address them directly. It’s important to be trauma-aware – understanding how trauma might be affecting your client – but also to know that treating or healing trauma is not the coach’s job. Here are some key insights for coaches regarding trauma:
Understand What Trauma-Informed Coaching Means: Being “trauma-informed” as a coach means recognizing that a client may have past trauma that influences their current feelings and behavior, and ensuring you create a safe, supportive coaching environment with that awareness in mind (). It does not mean delving into the trauma or trying to resolve it. In fact, trauma-informed coaches explicitly draw a line: “Therapists work with and treat trauma. Trauma-informed coaches do not treat trauma – they are simply aware of the nuances of working with clients who have experienced trauma.” In practical terms, this means as a coach you might acknowledge that a client’s past experiences (e.g. an abusive former boss or a childhood loss) are impacting them now, but you focus your coaching on how the client can move forward in the present, possibly using resilience strategies, without unpacking the trauma itself in detail.
Recognize the Prevalence of Trauma: By some estimates, a large portion of the population has experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. So even if trauma isn’t the focus of your coaching, it could be in the background. For example, a leadership coaching client might have a trauma (like a humiliating failure or personal loss) that makes them unusually fearful of certain situations at work. Simply put, being trauma-aware helps you “avoid inflicting any additional harm” when coaching a client with a trauma history.
Safety and Trust are Paramount: If you suspect a client has trauma in their background, prioritize creating a psychologically safe coaching space. This includes establishing trust, being patient, and asking permission before delving into especially sensitive topics. For instance, rather than pushing a client to talk about why a certain situation triggers them, you might gently ask, “Would it be okay if we explore what’s coming up for you when you think about this?” – and respect a no. Trauma can manifest in many ways (anxiety, dissociation, strong emotional reactions), and a client might not even fully realize a trauma is at play. By maintaining a safe, client-led pace, you reduce the risk of triggering a client into distress during a coaching session. Remember, unlike therapy, coaching is not about digging into painful memories; it’s about supporting current growth. If a client does begin to get emotional or recall painful memories, a trauma-aware coach will hold space compassionately but will not probe further into the traumatic story once it’s clear that it’s a deep wound.
Know the Red Flags and Refer Out: Certain trauma-related situations should not be handled by a coach at all, beyond basic support and referral. If a client is in an acute trauma state – for example, having frequent flashbacks, exhibiting signs of PTSD, experiencing panic attacks or uncontrollable emotional breakdowns – that is a strong signal they need a licensed mental health professional. As trauma expert Lea Morrison puts it, coaches (trauma-informed or not) “should never be working actively with someone who is in acute trauma stress, addiction, hyper-vigilance, or [other severe trauma reactions]” (). Moreover, if a client reveals any suicidal thoughts or self-harm behavior, a coach must recognize this is beyond their scope. The ethical action is to pause coaching and guide the client to immediate professional help (such as contacting a crisis line or therapist). In less urgent cases, if a client’s unhealed trauma is clearly blocking their progress (for instance, they cannot discuss certain goals without shutting down or reacting extremely), it may be time to encourage them to do therapy in parallel with coaching or before continuing further. You might say, “I sense that this issue is causing a lot of pain. I want to support you the best I can, and I think working with a therapist on that aspect could be really helpful while we continue coaching on your goals.” By doing so, you honor the boundary that coaches don’t treat trauma, while still caring for your client’s overall growth.
Focus on Resilience and the Present: Within the appropriate bounds, a trauma-aware coach can still help the client build coping skills and resilience without processing the trauma itself. For example, you might work on stress management techniques, grounding exercises the client can use when they feel anxious, or ways to build a support network – all forward-looking strategies that don’t require discussing the traumatic event in detail. Trauma-informed coaching “anchors work in the present, not the past, focusing on how trauma is affecting the client today and helping them build strengths and positive coping strategies”. If a client starts to delve into a traumatic story, a coach might acknowledge it and gently pivot to how the client can feel safe or empowered right now (or, if appropriate, suggest that part of the conversation might be better continued with their therapist). Always remember the mantra: support, not treat.
Being trauma-aware means being mindful and informed, but also knowing your limits. You are there to support the client’s journey and be sensitive to possible trauma triggers (for example, avoiding aggressive confrontation or overly intrusive questions which might retraumatize), but healing trauma is the realm of therapy. By collaborating (with client permission) with therapists or encouraging the client to get that therapeutic support, a coach can still play a valuable role – for instance, some clients see a therapist and a coach concurrently for different purposes. In fact, it’s not uncommon that “people will need therapy, as well as a coach to support them in between sessions”
Key Differences between Therapy and Coaching: Aligning with the ICF Code of Ethics
Ethical practice is the backbone of professional coaching. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics provides clear standards to ensure coaches serve clients responsibly. As a new coach, you should familiarize yourself with these guidelines and use them as a compass in all your coaching engagements. Here are some of the most relevant ethical principles from the ICF (and how they relate to coaching vs. therapy boundaries):
Explain Coaching Clearly and Gain Informed Consent: The ICF Code requires that coaches communicate what coaching is and isn’t to clients from the very beginning. As noted earlier, Section 3.18 of the Code obliges coaches to “carefully explain… prior to or at the initial meeting, [that] the coaching client understands the nature of coaching, the nature and limits of confidentiality, and any other terms of the coaching agreement.” This means you should explicitly distinguish coaching from therapy and other services when you start with a client. Clients have a right to know that coaching is not a substitute for mental health care. Ensuring the client is informed helps manage expectations and is an ethical foundation for your work together.
Confidentiality: Just like therapists, coaches must uphold confidentiality. The difference is that coaches define confidentiality within a professional coaching agreement rather than by law (unless you fall under specific regulations). The ICF Code’s Section 4 on Confidentiality/Privacy makes it clear that a coach must maintain the strictest levels of client confidentiality and privacy, only releasing information with the client’s consent or if required by legal authority (). Ethical coaches also communicate the limits of confidentiality – for example, you might let a client know that if you ever believe they might harm themselves or someone else, you would break confidentiality for safety reasons (which parallels the duty of a therapist). Maintaining confidentiality builds trust and is a non-negotiable ethical practice.
Refer When Necessary: A critical ethical standard is knowing when a client would be better served by another professional. The ICF Code (Section 3.23) explicitly states that coaches should “encourage the client to make a change if I believe the client would be better served by another coach or by another resource and suggest my client seek the services of other professionals when deemed necessary or appropriate.” In simpler terms, if you realize that what your client really needs is therapy (or legal advice, or some other service outside your scope), you are ethically obliged to address that. This might mean referring them out entirely or pausing coaching until they have addressed the critical issues with a therapist. Ethically, continuing to coach someone when they actually need therapy could do them a disservice or even harm. ICF ethics support the idea that the client’s well-being comes first – even if it means losing a coaching client, it’s proper to steer them to the right help. (We’ll discuss how to handle referrals in the next section.)
Practice Within Competence (Know Your Limits): The ICF Code and Core Competencies stress that a coach must “maintain the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy and other support professions” and “refer clients to other support professionals as appropriate.” () This core competency echoes the boundary principles we’ve discussed. Additionally, the Code advises coaches to be aware of personal limitations. For example, if a coach’s own personal issues are triggered by a client’s situation, the coach should seek supervision or support, to ensure they can continue coaching effectively or decide if they need to step back (). A concrete ethical scenario might be: if you, as a coach, start to feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained because a client’s story hits close to home (say, reminds you of your own trauma), the ethical action is to get help (consult a mentor coach or even a therapist for yourself) rather than let your personal feelings interfere or, worse, vent them onto the client. In essence, self-monitoring and self-care for the coach are part of ethical practice, ensuring you remain capable of helping the client.
Integrity and Honesty: Ethical coaches accurately represent their qualifications and do not mislead clients. Make sure you do not claim to be a “therapist” or falsely imply clinical credentials if you don’t have them. If you only have a coaching certification, be clear about that. The ICF Code requires honest advertising of services and credentials (). Also, if you have a dual background (perhaps you are a licensed counselor and a coach), it’s ethical to clarify to the client which role you are operating in. You might have to explicitly say, “In our work together I will be acting purely as your coach, not your therapist, which means I won’t be diagnosing or treating mental health issues.” Being transparent in this way aligns with both ethical codes and helps avoid confusion.
Avoid Exploitation and Maintain Professionalism: Just as therapists have ethics against exploiting clients, coaches must also never exploit clients financially, sexually, or otherwise. The ICF Code of Ethics includes guidelines about avoiding conflicts of interest (e.g., not selling unrelated products to clients without disclosure), not accepting kickbacks for referrals without disclosure, and so forth. Maintain a professional coach-client relationship at all times. This includes respecting boundaries of time (honoring session lengths and not intruding on the client’s personal life outside of sessions), boundaries of role (not using the client to meet your personal needs for validation or friendship), and observing appropriate conduct in all communications.
In summary, aligning with the ICF Code of Ethics means embedding these principles into your coaching practice from day one. Every element we’ve discussed – from clarifying the nature of coaching to referring out, to confidentiality and professional integrity – is codified in the ICF standards. By studying the Code and reflecting on real-life scenarios, you prepare yourself to handle ethical dilemmas. Always remember: when you uphold these ethical standards, you protect your client and you uphold the reputation of coaching as a profession. The Code of Ethics is your friend – when in doubt, consult it, and it will often illuminate the right path.
Recognizing When a Client Needs Therapy (Referral Signs)
Despite best efforts to stay within the coaching scope, you may at times find that a client’s needs evolve beyond what coaching can address. New coaches often wonder: “How will I know if this client needs therapy instead of (or in addition to) coaching?” There are several telltale signs. Below we will outline how to recognize those situations and what steps to take to handle them ethically and effectively.
Signs That Therapy May Be Indicated: A client might start coaching seeming well, but over time underlying issues can surface. Here are some red flags that suggest a client should be referred to a mental health professional:
Impaired Daily Functioning: If your client’s problems are interfering with their ability to function in everyday life, that’s outside the realm of coaching. For example, if a client is so depressed or anxious that they struggle to get out of bed, hold a job, or maintain basic self-care, they likely need therapy. ICF guidelines state that when a problem “gets in the way of everyday functioning (professionally, personally, or socially), you should make a referral to a mental health professional.” Coaching is suited for people who can engage in day-to-day activities; when someone’s basic functioning is impaired, therapy is the appropriate intervention ().
Presence of Mental Health Symptoms or Trauma Reactions: If a client exhibits clear signs of mental illness – such as persistent deep depression, uncontrolled anxiety/panic attacks, hallucinations or delusions, substance abuse relapse, eating disorder behaviors, etc. – these are out of a coach’s scope. Similarly, if a client has unprocessed trauma that is manifesting (nightmares, flashbacks, severe trust issues, etc.), that is therapy territory. Remember, “coaches are not trained to respond professionally” to mental health disorders or serious trauma symptoms; those clients should be working with a therapist. As a coach, you might be the first to notice these issues if the client hasn’t sought help yet, so noticing and speaking up is crucial (in a caring way).
Coaching Stalls Due to Deeper Issues: A more subtle sign is when your coaching engagement isn’t progressing because psychological or emotional issues keep sabotaging the process. For instance, say you’ve been coaching a client on career goals, but session after session, they circle back to extreme self-doubt or emotional pain that stems from a past event (like a traumatic job firing or family conflict). Despite goal-setting, the client makes no progress because these unresolved emotional issues act as a roadblock. In such cases, even if the client is functioning day-to-day, therapy might be needed to address the underlying issues that coaching cannot resolve. The ICF referral guidelines note that if a client is not making progress in coaching due to continually arising emotional issues or self-defeating behaviors rooted in the past, it likely means there’s an “underlying issue that could be worked out in therapy.” Recognizing this pattern is important – it’s not “failure” in coaching; it simply means another modality (therapy) might be required to get unstuck.
Coach’s Intuition and Stress Signals: Pay attention to your own feelings as a coach. Often, your internal signals can alert you that something is beyond your scope. The ICF’s referral guidelines list a number of coach feelings that indicate the coach may be out of their depth, such as feeling “responsible for [the] client,” “pressure to solve [the] client’s problems,” “stressed out by [the] client’s issues,” feeling like the problem is more than you can handle, or becoming *anxious* when you see the client is contacting you. If you notice these reactions in yourself, step back and assess why. For example, if every time before a session with a particular client you feel dread or anxiety, perhaps it’s because the issues they bring are heavily emotional or crisis-oriented and you know deep down that it’s not coaching anymore. Or if you find yourself losing sleep worrying about how to “save” a client from their situation, that’s a signal you might be crossing into a therapeutic or caretaker mentality. A healthy coaching engagement shouldn’t consistently make the coach feel overwhelmed or overly responsible. These internal cues are an important barometer: self-reflection and self-awareness are important in recognizing when an issue is beyond your scope as a coach.
Client Dependency or Boundary-Pushing: Another sign is if the client starts treating you more like a therapist or even a lifeline than a coach. For instance, they might begin contacting you in crisis between sessions, expecting you to talk them through emotional breakdowns, or they show signs of becoming overly dependent on your support for their emotional stability. The ICF notes feeling “your client is too dependent or reliant on you” is a warning sign. Coaching should empower clients to act on their own; if a client can’t function without your constant reassurance or is looking to you for psychological comfort beyond the coaching context, it may be time to involve a therapist. Similarly, if a client continuously violates agreed-upon boundaries (like contacting you at inappropriate hours in emotional distress), that indicates their needs might be more appropriate for a therapeutic support system which can handle such crises.
How to Handle a Potential Referral: Once you recognize that a client may need therapy, approach the situation with care, empathy, and professionalism. Here are steps to handle it ethically:
Consult (if needed) and Prepare: If you’re uncertain whether the situation truly warrants a referral, consider consulting a mentor coach or a mental health professional (without divulging identifying client information) for a second opinion. Many coaching professionals have supervisors or peers they can talk to about tricky cases. Additionally, review relevant ICF guidelines and any notes from your sessions that illustrate the concerning patterns. This preparation will help you articulate your concerns clearly to the client.
Choose the Right Moment: Initiate the referral conversation in a private, calm setting (if over video or phone, ensure both you and the client have time and aren’t rushed). Don’t bring it up in passing or at the tail end of a session. Instead, plan a discussion when you can both focus. As the ICF referral guide advises, “meet privately with your client… when you both have time, do not feel rushed, and are not preoccupied.” If needed, you can schedule a special meeting specifically to discuss the topic.
Be Caring and Direct: Start the conversation by expressing genuine care for the client’s well-being. For example: “I want to talk about something important. First, I want you to know I truly care about you and your progress.” Setting a positive, supportive tone is key. Then honestly share your observations: cite specific behaviors or statements the client has made that concern you. For instance, “In recent sessions, I’ve noticed you often describe feeling hopeless and you mentioned you haven’t been able to get out of bed many days. You also said you’re not enjoying things you used to love. These have me concerned about you.” This kind of approach is non-judgmental and based on concrete observations. Avoid any tone of blame or diagnosing (don’t say “I think you are depressed and need therapy”); instead, focus on the impact and your concern.
Link to the Benefits of Therapy: Normalize and frame therapy as a helpful resource, not a sign of failure. You might say: “Sometimes there are issues that coaching alone can’t tackle, especially when they’re tied to our emotional health or past experiences. Many people – even very high-functioning folks – go to therapy at some point in their lives to work through these kinds of issues. I believe you could really benefit from speaking with someone trained in mental health to support you on that level.” Emphasize that seeking therapy is a positive step of strength and self-care, not a weakness. The ICF guide suggests using analogies or normalizing statements – for example, comparing mental health care to seeing a doctor when you have a physical issue (there’s no stigma in getting expert help). The key is to ensure the client does not feel “dumped” or ashamed; they should feel that this referral is in their best interest (which it is).
Encourage and Empower the Client: After suggesting the idea of therapy, invite the client’s thoughts and feelings on it. Ask something like, “How do you feel about the idea of talking with a counselor or therapist about this?” Then listen actively. The client might have fears (“I’m not that bad off, I don’t need a shrink” or “Therapy hasn’t worked for me in the past”) or they might feel relief (“I was thinking of it too, but I wasn’t sure”). Address their feelings supportively. If they are hesitant due to stigma or fear of being judged as “crazy,” reassure them that therapy is a common and useful resource – many successful people have therapists, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with them, it just provides specialized help for certain issues. If they worry about the coaching relationship, clarify that you are still there to support them in coaching within your scope, and going to therapy for other matters will only help them move forward more effectively. Sometimes a client may initially resist the idea; if so, you might gently repeat the suggestion in the future if the issue persists. The ICF guideline notes a client may not accept a therapy referral the first time – it may take a couple of conversations when they’re ready.
Provide Referral Resources: Be ready to help practically. If you have vetted referrals (therapists you know or directories), offer that information to make it easier for the client. For example: “If you want, I can recommend a few therapists who specialize in what you’re dealing with,” or “I can point you to a good psychology clinic that matches people with counselors.” If appropriate and within ethical bounds, you can even offer to coordinate with the therapist once they’re engaged (with the client’s consent) to ensure the client is supported on all sides. Some coaches keep a list of mental health professionals for this reason. At minimum, encourage the client to seek out a licensed therapist and perhaps suggest the type of therapy that might suit their issue (e.g., trauma specialist, addiction counselor, etc., if you have that knowledge).
Reinforce Your Support (Within Boundaries): Let the client know you’re not abandoning them. You might say, “I’m suggesting this because I truly want you to succeed and feel better. I’m happy to continue working with you on your goals, and I think adding a therapist to your support team will give you the extra help you need in [area of concern].” Restate that you care about them. Also clarify (if true) that they can continue coaching while in therapy as long as it’s helpful, or if you believe coaching should pause until they stabilize, be honest about that: “It might be best to put our coaching on hold for a little while you focus on counseling, and we can resume when you’re ready.” This depends on the situation. Ethically, if the client really cannot engage in coaching work until the therapy issue is addressed, pausing or terminating the coaching engagement is appropriate. If they can do both, you can proceed but perhaps with adjusted expectations.
Emergency Situations: If the need for therapy is urgent (for instance, the client admits to suicidal thoughts), the coach must take immediate ethical action. This might mean encouraging the client to contact a crisis line or mental health emergency service during the session, or if you believe they are in immediate danger, contacting authorities or a known emergency contact. In such cases, safety trumps confidentiality – ethically, saving a life is paramount. For example, the ICF code and guidelines allow breaching confidentiality if a client is at risk of harming self or others (). A coach in that scenario should stay calm, express deep care, and involve professional help right away (this is one of the rare instances a coach might step out of the coach role momentarily due to duty of care). Always follow up afterward to make sure the client is safe. Remember, as the ICF guide says, “You are not a therapist,” so once immediate safety is addressed, your role is to ensure they transition to appropriate professional care as soon as possible.
Document and Follow Up: After suggesting therapy, make a note (for yourself) of that discussion. If the client agrees to seek help, you might ask in a future session if they have begun that process (without prying into details, which they may keep private). If they decline therapy but the issues persist, you’ll need to revisit the conversation or decide if it’s ethical to continue coaching. It’s wise to document such decisions in case any questions arise later. Always keep communications open – let the client know they can talk to you about how they’re feeling about the referral at any time.
By following these steps, you handle the referral process with compassion and professionalism. It’s understandable that new coaches may feel awkward telling a client to go to therapy – but reframing it in your mind as providing the client the best possible support can help. You aren’t failing or dumping the client; rather, you’re acting in their best interest, consistent with your ethical duty. Many clients ultimately appreciate the coach’s honesty and care in these moments.
Finally, remember that referring a client to therapy doesn’t mean you, as a coach, did something wrong – often, it’s just the nature of personal development that deeper issues arise. Your willingness to collaborate with other professionals is a strength, not a weakness. As a coach, you want to see your client thrive, and sometimes that means stepping aside or partnering up so the client gets all the help they need. When you handle such transitions skillfully, you demonstrate the highest professionalism and care, which reflects well on you as a coach and contributes to the client’s overall growth journey.
Conclusion
Distinguishing between coaching and therapy is foundational for any new coach. By clearly understanding the differences in purpose, scope, and methods of these two paths, you can confidently define your role to clients and avoid ethical missteps. Coaching is a powerful process for forward-looking growth and achievement, whereas therapy is a healing process for mental and emotional well-being – each serves a crucial, but different, function. As a coach, always honor professional boundaries: do not stray into therapy techniques, do not diagnose or treat mental health issues, and always operate within your competence and the ethical framework provided by the ICF.
Being trauma-aware in coaching means you acknowledge that clients are human beings with histories, and you approach sensitive areas with care – but you also know where to draw the line and refer out for therapy when needed. The ICF Code of Ethics is your guidepost, ensuring you uphold standards like confidentiality, integrity, and client welfare at all times. And should a client’s needs surpass what coaching can offer, recognize that swiftly and handle referrals to therapy ethically and empathetically. Far from being a setback, a well-handled referral can be a transformative point for the client to get the comprehensive support they need.
In the end, great coaching is not about doing everything for a client – it’s about doing what we do best as coaches, and collaborating with other professionals when that will best serve the client. By respecting the boundary between coaching and therapy, you protect your clients and yourself. You also contribute to a healthier professional ecosystem where coaches and therapists complement each other’s work. As you embark on your coaching career, keep this guide handy and continue learning. With clarity, compassion, and ethical vigilance, you will help your clients make incredible strides – and you’ll know that you’re doing so in a manner that is both effective and ethically sound. Here’s to empowering your clients, while responsibly staying true to your role as a coach!
FAQ: Understanding the Boundaries Between Coaching and Therapy for Aspiring Coaches
What is the major difference between coaching vs therapy that every new coach must understand?
The major difference between coaching and therapy lies in scope, purpose, and methods. Therapy is focused on mental health, emotional healing, and treatment of conditions such as depression or anxiety using techniques from counseling psychology, behavioral therapy, and psychotherapy. Therapists are licensed clinical social workers, professional counselors, or specialists in clinical psychology or a related field, trained to assess and treat psychological disorders.
Coaching, on the other hand, is solution-focused therapy-inspired but not clinical. A coach can help clients maximize potential, set goals, and build action plans without diagnosing or treating psychological issues. Coaching sessions focus on mental well-being and goal achievement rather than emotional healing.
Why is it important for a coach to distinguish between coaching and psychotherapy?
For ethical practice, coaching and psychotherapy must remain distinct. Aspiring coaches should recognize that coaching is not therapy and that attempting to address deep-seated emotional issues or diagnose conditions violates professional boundaries. Coaching has become an industry with clear ethical expectations, and governing bodies like the International Coaching Federation (ICF) emphasize staying within scope. Misunderstanding these boundaries can lead to ethical breaches, ineffective coaching, and potential harm to the client.
Can a coach work with clients facing mental health challenges?
A health coach or business coach may work with clients who experience health challenges or work-related stress, but coaching or therapy should not be confused. Coaches are not trained to assess or treat mental health challenges. If a client presents with unresolved trauma, extreme distress, or clinical symptoms, a coach must refer to a licensed professional counselor or another qualified mental health provider.
How can an aspiring coach ensure they stay within ethical boundaries?
To practice ethically, coaches must:
•Clearly define their role and explain the difference between coaching vs therapy in agreements.
•Avoid offering therapeutic advice or interpreting psychological symptoms.
•Recognize when a client needs therapy and provide referrals if necessary.
•Follow ethical standards set by governing bodies like ICF, which provide credential frameworks for ethical practice.
•Undergo proper coach training to develop professional coaching skills without crossing into psychotherapy.
How does the session structure differ between coaching and therapy?
Coaching and therapy are session-based, but their structure differs. Coaching sessions are future-focused, action-driven, and typically shorter in duration. Coaches focus on the future, helping clients achieve goals. Therapy are session-based but often longer-term, working through emotional healing and psychological patterns rooted in the past.
How should a coach respond if a client begins discussing trauma or deep emotional distress?
A good coach understands the limits of their role. If a client starts discussing past trauma, self-harm, or overwhelming distress, the coach must avoid engaging in therapeutic processing. Instead, they should:
1.Acknowledge the client’s feelings with empathy.
2.Redirect the session toward present and future goals.
3. Encourage the client to seek help from a licensed clinical social worker or professional counselor.
4.Follow up in a way that maintains coaching ethics while respecting confidentiality.
Being trauma-aware does not mean treating trauma. Ethical certified coaches refer clients to qualified professionals when mental health concerns arise.
What professional training or credentials should a coach pursue to establish credibility?
Since coaching is unregulated, anyone can call themselves a coach, but certified coaches undergo formal coach training to ensure credibility. Aspiring coaches should seek credential programs from organizations like ICF, which establish industry standards. Unlike therapy, which is regulated by licensing boards and requires a degree in clinical psychology or a related field, coaching credentials focus on professional development rather than clinical training.
Can a therapist also work as a coach?
Yes, but they must keep the roles separate. A therapist can become a business coach or health coach, but when practicing coaching, they must not engage in clinical interventions. A coach or a therapist should clearly define their role in each client relationship to avoid confusion and ethical concerns.
If a client insists they need a coach but seems to require therapy, what should a coach do?
If a client needs a coach for personal growth but demonstrates signs of unresolved mental health challenges, it is the coach’s ethical duty to address this. A coach should:
• Explain the difference between coaching vs therapy in simple terms.
•Clarify that while coaching can support goal achievement, it does not replace psychotherapy or solution-focused therapy.
•Offer to continue coaching alongside therapy if appropriate, ensuring the client receives the support they need from both professionals.
How do coaching regulations vary from state to state?
Unlike therapy, which requires professionals to be licensed in the states where they practice, coaching does not have universal regulatory standards. Requirements for therapists and coaches differ, with licensing boards overseeing therapy while coaching remains an open profession. However, ethical coaches voluntarily adhere to governing bodies like ICF to ensure quality and professionalism.
How does coaching relate to positive psychology?
Many coaching methodologies draw from positive psychology, which emphasizes strengths, resilience, and growth. However, coaching remains distinct from clinical psychology. While coaching has become a valuable tool for motivation and empowerment, it does not replace clinical psychology or a related discipline in addressing mental disorders.
What should a new coach do if they suspect a client needs additional professional support?
If a coach recognizes that a client may need therapy, they should:
1.Approach the conversation with care and professionalism.
2.Emphasize that coaching and therapy serve different roles.
3. Provide a referral to a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, or professional counselor.
4.Ensure the coaching relationship remains within ethical boundaries while the client receives the appropriate support.
Can coaching be combined with therapeutic approaches like behavioral therapy?
No. While coaching and psychotherapy share some techniques, coaching does not incorporate clinical interventions like behavioral therapy or solution-focused therapy. A coach should never attempt to apply therapeutic models unless they are also a licensed therapist and explicitly working in that capacity.
What are some red flags that indicate a client requires therapy rather than coaching?
Aspiring coaches should be alert to signs that indicate coaching is not appropriate, including:
•Persistent depression or anxiety affecting daily life.
•Trauma-related symptoms, including flashbacks or emotional dysregulation.
•The inability to focus on goals due to unresolved psychological distress.
•Dependency on the coach for emotional stability, rather than self-driven progress.
Recognizing these signs ensures that clients receive the proper care from qualified professionals.
What role do coaching ethics play in professional practice?
Ethical practice is essential in coaching. Following guidelines set by governing bodies like ICF ensures that coaches:
•Stay within scope and avoid engaging in psychotherapy.
•Respect confidentiality, only breaking it in cases of immediate danger.
•Clearly define professional boundaries, avoiding dual relationships or conflicts of interest.
•Commit to continued professional training and adherence to industry standards.
Understanding these ethical principles is fundamental for any health coach, business coach, or aspiring coaching professional.
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About the Author
Cherie Silas, MCC
She has over 20 years of experience as a corporate leader and uses that background to partner with business executives and their leadership teams to identify and solve their most challenging people, process, and business problems in measurable ways.
