Therapy versus Wellness Coaching

In our current wellness focused society, many people are beginning to recognize the importance of mental health. But with so many resources available, it can be hard to know exactly where to get started. So before you sign up with a coach, reach out to a therapist, or download another app, let's answer this question- What is the difference is between coaching, wellness groups, and therapy?

Therapy

Individual, couples, and group based therapies are designed to support individuals experiencing significant disruptions to their daily functioning due to either a mental illness or temporary external stressors (for example grief or a major life transition). A therapist is someone who has completed a masters or doctorate program focused on either counseling, social work, or psychology and these individuals are specifically trained to identify, diagnose, and treat specific mental illnesses. Therapy can be paid for out of pocket, however many people are able to use their health insurance benefits to help cover the cost of individual, couples, or group therapy.

Group based therapy tends to be focused on offering support to individuals with a specific diagnosis or individuals experiencing a specific type of stressor, such as parenting stress. These groups can either be for a fixed period of time (ex: 4 weeks) or can be ongoing groups to offer long-term support. Groups can also vary in terms of structure; some are more focused on psychoeducation in which the group leader primarily offers information to attendees, while other groups are focused on connection and allowing space for group members to openly process their feelings and offer each other support.

Coaching

There are many sub-categories of coaching, however coaching is generally used to help individuals build skills and work towards a specific goal. Wellness coaching is focused on helping individuals improve their overall wellness (physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual). Coaching is primarily different from therapy in the sense that a coach will not be diagnosing or treating a mental illness; for that reason, coaching is not an appropriate choice for someone experiencing acute symptoms of a mental illness or significant functioning challenges. Coaching can be done in combination with therapy if someone is simultaneously wanting to work on managing a mental illness while also working on self-growth in a specific area of their life, such as their career. Coaches are not required to complete any specific training, however many choose to pursue certifications and training in their area of interest. Coaching also differs from therapy in that it is paid for out of pocket and is rarely eligible for insurance coverage.

Coaching Groups

Group coaching sessions, such as those offered by Mind Meet, are typically offered for individuals with shared goals or identities or are offered on a specific topic. Group coaching is more focused on connection while working towards a shared goal. With Mind Meet, this might look like attending a group on organization and group members offering suggestions on time management skills they've personally used and encouraging each other to work towards their goals for the week. Group coaching is focused on mutual growth and having the opportunity to both learn as well as share your own knowledge.