There are several differences between these; here are a few key ones.

A therapist (typically)...

• Is a licensed mental health professional and helps clients who are struggling to function move to a state of functioning
• Is focused on the past and processing things that are impacting the client
• May take and file insurance on your behalf
• Typically operates within a container of hourly, scheduled sessions 
• Is guided by established tools and practices 

A coach (typically)...

• May be certified (or not) and helps clients move forward and achieve goals that they have
  • The goals may include things like processing grief and the desire to feel joy without sorrow in the future
• Does not file insurance (most likely)
• Is available outside of scheduled sessions to communicate, exchange messages, and suggest resources or ideas
  • As a coach I come alongside clients to help support them, share the truth, find answers within themselves, encourage them, and help them be accountable to the results they want.  I'm fully invested in seeing their ultimate success.
• May be guided by established tools and practices, and in addition may use divine guidance, intuition, or experience to assist the client
  • For example, the reason I chose certification by the Faith-Based Coaching Academy is because it blends elements of psychology, counseling, coaching, and spirituality taught by a practicing clinical psychologist.  
  • This unique blend allows me to serve clients in a way that best resonates with and supports them instead of being limited to a particular tool or method.  

How to know which one you need?  

The answer may be both!  I believe most people need a coach or coaches in their life (I have multiple in different areas!).  I say most people because not everyone wants to move forward, set and meet goals, or improve their life.  If someone wants to stay exactly where they are, coaching likely wouldn't be productive for them.

You are not broken!  You may feel broken.  You may be heartbroken.  But you are whole and complete and capable.  If you show up and do the work, it will work for you.  

That’s perfectly okay!  My process includes evaluating where you are, exploring where you want to be, identifying the biggest pain points, and recommending next steps that are customized to you.  Some people may have specific goals; others may want to work on many areas of their life overall.

As the client, you decide what you want to focus on.  One session might be talking about your person, one might be the tough week you’ve had, one may be sharing wins… or you may not know what to talk about, in which case I’ll guide the conversation with some questions to get us going.

Two hours of weekly calls are held Tuesdays from 1 pm - 3 pm CT