We are now offering coaching! Dr. Hoffman is offering divorce coaching IN ALL STATES for either couples who have decided to divorce and need help navigating a peaceful relationship including co-parenting, or individuals needing help navigating life after divorce.

What is the difference between therapy and coaching? Both can be very useful, depending on the presenting concerns. Generally, coaching is useful for a specific issues (for example, intimacy/sex, dating, career, coparenting, etc.), and uses a different approach than psychotherapy. A coach can help you get to the root of the issue and still discuss issues such as your past and family of origin, but they are more focused on the present and providing specific tools/skills. They often have a more direct approach, though this can vary. Coaching is often time-limited as well, though it doesn’t have to be. 

Coaches are typically not trained in psychotherapy, but are trained in coaching in a specific area. Therapists, in contrast, are licensed to provide mental health care. They are trained to assess and treat mental health disorders including depression, other mood disorders, PTSD, many types of anxiety, addiction, personality disorders, and more. They use a variety of evidence-based treatments (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, IFS, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Exposure therapy, traditional Couples Therapy, and so on) to address these concerns. 

People who are a good fit for coaching are not looking for treatment for a mental health disorder, but rather they are looking for guidance on specific issues. Sometimes, people will have therapy and coaching in conjunction with each other (from different providers). If a coach feels as though a client is better suited for therapy to address underlying mental health issues, they might refer them to a therapist. 

Lastly, coaching is not a health service. This means that you cannot submit receipts for coaching to your insurance for reimbursement and you pay out-of-pocket, like any other service (personal training, for example). A coach cannot diagnose or treat mental health disorders, and if they become aware that you have an issue that would be better served by therapy, they will refer you to a therapist or address the treatment plan.

When therapists do provide coaching, there is also an important distinction. Dr. Hoffman provides specific coaching around dating and divorce for people who are looking for specific help with this, and not psychotherapy. You could be a good fit for this if you are a couple who has decided to divorce and you need help navigating co-parenting, or if you are an individual navigating life after divorce. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions about this. 

Relationship coaching is different than traditional Couples Therapy, as the latter often uses specific evidence-based treatments to approach the issue, and relationship coaching may be focused on a specific issue. You can learn more about coaching with Andrew Ninnemann here.