Frequently Asked Questions

Coaching is a professional partnership between you and your coach that supports self-directed exploration, goal setting, planning, and action. It is designed to help you clarify what matters most, unlock potential you already possess, and create forward-moving outcomes across areas like purpose, habits, relationships, and wellbeing. It is future-oriented and focused on achievement and growth, not on diagnosing or treating mental health conditions. 

 No. This is coaching, not therapy or counseling.

Therapy and counseling are clinical services delivered by licensed mental health professionals trained to diagnose and treat psychological symptoms and mental health conditions. Coaching does not involve diagnosis, treatment planning, or clinical intervention. If emotional or mental health treatment is appropriate, a coach may recommend you consult a licensed professional.  Note: I am not an addiction coach and I don't treat addiction.

• Coaching
  • Future-focused partnership
  • Goal clarity, action planning, accountability
  • No diagnosis or treatment of mental health conditions
  • Emphasis on insight, empowerment, and self-directed change
   
• Therapy/Counseling
  • Clinical treatment for emotional or psychological conditions
  • Licensed professionals provide assessment and interventions
  • May explore past experiences and therapeutic processing

Coaching must stay within a defined scope. Coaching is a thought-provoking and creative process focused on maximizing personal and professional potential through partnership and powerful questioning. It does not include clinical assessment or treatment of mental health disorders.  This distinction matters because calling coaching “therapy” or implying it treats psychological conditions can create legal, ethical, and regulatory issues.

Coaching can bring awareness to patterns, motivation, values, and emotional responses — but coaches are trained to recognize when a client’s needs go beyond the coaching scope. If significant mental health concerns emerge, responsible coaches will suggest you seek support from a licensed therapist or counselor. 

Coaching can bring awareness to patterns, motivation, values, and emotional responses — but coaches are trained to recognize when a client’s needs go beyond the coaching scope. If significant mental health concerns emerge, responsible coaches will suggest you seek support from a licensed therapist or counselor. 

Yes. Coaching and therapy can be complementary. Therapy often focuses on healing and emotional processing, while coaching supports goal execution, development, and momentum. Many people engage in both at the same time.  

Yes. Coaching sessions are treated with respect and professionalism. Coaches ethically protect client confidentiality, though coaching does not fall under the legal confidentiality protections that apply to therapy. Confidentiality is maintained according to professional standards, not clinical privacy laws. 

 Coaching does not guarantee specific outcomes or promise changes in mental health or medical conditions. Clients typically report:

• Greater clarity and purpose
• More confidence and direction
• Defined goals and practical action steps
• Accountability and follow-through
• A sense of expanded capability
   

The coach is a partner in your process, not a clinical healer.

 You might benefit from coaching if you’re:

• Generally emotionally stable but want more clarity
• Seeking motivation, structure, or forward momentum
• Ready to set and act on meaningful goals
• Wanting support without clinical intervention
   

If you have concerns about your emotional wellbeing or mental health symptoms, therapy may be a better first step.