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Sender:  San Francisco

I'm thinking about finding a coach. I have a colleague at work who seems to be doing better than she used to before she found the coach. But I am still thinking that coaching is an awful lot like psychotherapy. Can you tell me what is the difference and if it really matters? I have some personal problems, but who doesn't? Thanks a lot.

Dear San Francisco,

Your concern is one that we have been discussing among ourselves. Since coaching is a fairly new professional title, it is often difficult to know exactly how someone may be using it. However, in general, most coaches are concerned about specific situational issues, i.e. work place tension, job searches, etc. They may hit on personal issues, but the focus is on action. Counselling and other forms of psychotherapy are focused on the individual's own sense of self. Situational issues may be noted, but the focus is on how the individual experiences these issues. At the risk of over-simplification, I think of coaching as working with individuals in ways that promote their sense of having a greater voice within their environments, especially in their work places. Counselling is centred on the inner self and how an individual functions in all aspects of daily life.

I would encourage you to check in to some coaching if you feel it might be helpful to you. The clearer you are in what it is you want a coach to do, the more likely it is that coaching will be helpful. When choosing a coach, ask about approaches used and how they understanding the difference between coaching and counselling. In this way you will be more likely to find someone with whom you feel comfortable.

Steven Warland

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