Differences between a Coach and a Counselor
Licensed therapists must meet their specific state's requirements to be licensed to counsel people with mental health diagnoses.
Licensed therapists must obtain an advanced graduate degree, after which they must qualify and be approved for supervision as interns.
Each prospective therapist must have an internship practicum (usually 3,000+ counseling hours under supervision), adding several additional years after graduate school before establishing their career. Supervisors must be state-approved.
After completing an internship, prospective therapists must pass their state’s licensing board exams and apply before receiving licensures. States may also require ongoing training (continuing education units or CEUs) throughout a therapist’s career, depending upon their state licensing board’s requirements.
Licensed therapists treat people whose ability to function is impaired by the client’s condition, which will carry a diagnosis. Therapists' and healthcare professionals’ services are eligible for insurance program coverage, depending upon the diagnosis and insurance company.
Even though the ‘licensure portability’ laws are constantly changing, most therapists are only allowed by their licensing boards to counsel residents in their state of licensure. In most states, a therapist can only provide counseling services to residents residing in the state where the counselor is licensed.
Therapists may address issues such as depression, divorce, family counseling, self-esteem, personality disorders, anxiety, anger, phobias, communication issues, pre-marital or marital situations, parenting, stages of development, school issues, panic attacks, pain management, or other mental health issues.
Life coaches (& other types of certified coaches) help people who want to improve performance in an area of their life or to be more successful in setting and achieving goals.
Most coaches specialize in an area in which they have experience or training. Coaches carry a certification (not required in all states) rather than a license from a state licensing board. Life coaches are not eligible for insurance reimbursement and are paid out of pocket by their clients.
Certified Life Coaches (or coaches certified in other areas, such as “Professional Organizer” coaches, “Business Coaches,” etc.) may practice coaching for residents of any state. Coaches may help you build self-confidence & identify your strengths, be a motivation, help you set goals for self-improvement, assist in job performance improvement or job changes, help as you begin a business, assist in learning time-management skills, help you in building positive relationships and balance in life, assist in financial planning, help in career development, improving life, improve health and well-being, unlock creativity, and gain overall clarity.
Another difference between a therapist and a life coach is similar to a person going to a licensed physical therapist for physical therapy rehabilitation versus going to a personal trainer to become physically fit.
Some people may see both therapist and coach simultaneously, such as counseling with a therapist to address mental health counseling issues while also seeing a life coach for non-counseling goals.
More info:
Treat mental health issues: Counselor-Yes; Coach-No
Usually covered by insurance: Counselor-Yes; Coach-No
Can be seen by out-of-state clients: Counselor-No; Coach-Yes
Can be seen by clients worldwide: Counselor-No; Coach-Yes
Graduate degree required: Counselor-Yes; Coach-No
Provide diagnosis: Counselor-Yes; Coach-No
State licensure required to practice: Counselor-Yes; Coach-No
Clients self-pay: Counselor-Yes (may be covered by insurance); Coach-Yes
Certification required: Counselor-No (unless therapist voluntarily adds specialty certification areas for expertise); Coach-recommended, not required.
Information provided by Clifton Fuller, Life Coach & Texas Counselor
