Life Coach vs Therapist: The Overlooked Similarities
By Tess Brieva, LSW
In a world increasingly focused on self-improvement and mental wellness, more people are turning to professional support for guidance. Two common paths are working with a life coach or a therapist. While these roles share some similarities, they differ a bit in training, approach, and purpose. This blog will explore the differences and similarities in hopes to shed light on a topic that is commonly misunderstood.
Credit: shula
Understanding the Differences
Life Coaches
A life coach focuses on helping clients identify goals, break through obstacles, and create actionable plans to reach desired outcomes. The emphasis is typically future-oriented; life coaches are not there to diagnose or technically treat mental illness. Instead, they work with individuals who want to improve certain areas of their lives, such as career transitions, productivity, relationships, or wellness.
Anyone can technically call themselves a life coach, but many pursue professional training through organizations like:
International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Certified Life Coach Institute
Health Coach Institute
Certifications often include modules on communication, ethics, and action planning, but do not include clinical training in mental health. Life coaching sessions often include:
Identifying values and goals
Creating strategic action plans
Accountability check-ins
Encouragement and performance optimization
Many life coaches are directive and solutions-focused. They often act like motivational partners who keep you moving forward.
Therapists
A therapist (which can include licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, or marriage and family therapists) is trained to treat mental health concerns and emotional issues. Therapists often explore a client’s past, unconscious patterns, trauma, or relationships to provide a deeper level of emotional healing. They are technically qualified to diagnose and treat conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more.
Therapists must be licensed by their state(s). This involves:
A master’s or doctoral degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy
Supervised clinical hours (often 2,000–4,000)
Passing state licensing exams
Ongoing continuing education
Their education includes intensive training in human development, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic modalities, and ethical practice.
Because of these standards, therapists are legally and ethically bound to protect client confidentiality and adhere to strict codes of conduct—something that may vary significantly with coaches depending on their training and organization.
Therapy tends to involve:
Emotional exploration and healing
Coping skills and behavior change
Mental health treatment
A focus on both present and past experiences
Note of Nuance
Despite the growing popularity of life coaching, it’s not uncommon to see life coaches talked down to, dismissed, or unfairly compared to therapists. Some critics frame coaching as less legitimate or rigorous, but this overlooks the structural barriers in the mental health field and the valuable contributions that coaches can make to personal development.
Becoming a licensed therapist is a long, resource-intensive process. Barriers include:
Tuition, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars
Unpaid or underpaid internships and clinical hours
Challenging and biased licensure exams
Cost of maintaining continuing education credits
For many, especially BIPOC, working-class, disabled, and/or neurodivergent professionals, these requirements can be financially and logistically prohibitive. Life coaching can offer a more accessible path for talented individuals with deep insight, strong relational skills, and a passion for helping others.
Additionally, many life coaches use the same tools and frameworks that therapists do. Popular coaching models often draw from:
Cognitive-behavioral strategies (like reframing thoughts)
Mindfulness and somatic practices (like breathwork or yoga)
Motivational interviewing techniques
Parts work (like Internal Family Systems)
Goal-setting frameworks grounded in positive psychology
The difference isn’t always in the tools, it’s in scope and purpose. Coaches may not technically treat mental illness or dive into trauma the way a therapist does, but that doesn’t make their work less valuable or impactful. In fact, many clients report transformational growth from coaching experiences that were more focused, empowering, or flexible than traditional therapy. Furthermore, coaches are not constrained to the same amount of regulation, meaning they can be more accessible for clients: coaches can see clients regardless of location, whereas therapists can only see clients in the states where they are licensed.
In sum, life coaching is not a “lesser” form of support, it’s simply different, and often more accessible, especially for those who are seeking future-focused growth rather than clinical treatment.
Session Dynamics
What happens in a typical session with a therapist versus a life coach?
Life Coach Sessions
Structured, goal-oriented, and often action-packed
Sessions may begin with a review of progress and then pivot to planning next steps
Common tools: vision boards, time-blocking exercises, goal charts
Sessions often end with “homework” or clear action steps; coaches may text or reach out throughout the week to ensure accountability
Therapy Sessions
May begin with emotional check-ins or discussion of recent events
Focus on processing emotions, exploring patterns, and building self-awareness
Common tools: CBT worksheets, mindfulness, trauma processing, narrative therapy
Pace can be slower to allow for emotional depth and integration
Coaching tends to keep you focused on “what’s next,” while therapy makes space for “what happened” and “how are you feeling?”
Choosing the Right Support
So how do you know whether to work with a life coach or a therapist?
You might benefit from a therapist if you are:
Dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or grief
Feeling overwhelmed by emotional distress
Struggling with past experiences that still affect you
Seeking deeper healing and self-understanding
You might benefit from a life coach if you are:
Feeling stuck or unmotivated
Ready to set and reach specific goals
Looking for accountability and strategy
Interested in performance or personal development
That said, many people benefit from both. You will likely find a therapist or coach who is a good fit for you by scheduling a free consultation; at the end of the day, it’s case-by-case, don’t exclude someone immediately based only on their credentials. Therapy can help clear emotional roadblocks, while coaching can offer the structure to move forward. Some therapists are also trained coaches, and some clients choose to work with both types of professionals in parallel.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between a life coach and a therapist isn’t about choosing one as “better” than the other. It’s about knowing what you need at this point in your journey. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you’re taking a step toward your growth, your wellness, and your potential.