What's the difference between life coaching and therapy?
It's the question I get asked more than any other. And honestly, it's a fair question. From the outside, they can look similar: two people talking about problems, searching for solutions.
But the differences matter. A lot.
Therapy: The Clinical Approach
Therapy is clinical. It's designed to treat diagnosable mental health conditions—depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma. Therapists are licensed healthcare providers trained to help people heal from the past.
And therapy is crucial. If you're dealing with clinical issues, you need a therapist. No life coach—no matter how good—should be treating mental illness.
Coaching: The Performance Approach
Life coaching is different. We're not treating illness. We're optimizing performance.
Think of it like this: therapy is for when something is broken and needs fixing. Coaching is for when things are working, but you know they could work better.
"Therapy asks: 'What's wrong with you?' Coaching asks: 'What do you want?'"
Why High-Performers Choose Coaching
Most men I work with aren't clinically ill. They're successful by most standards. But they're stuck. Frustrated. Knowing they're capable of more but not sure how to get there.
They don't need to lie on a couch and explore their childhood for years. They need:
- Clear goals and a plan to achieve them
- Accountability from someone who won't let them off the hook
- Practical strategies they can implement today
- A partner in their corner, not a clinical observer
The Bottom Line
If you're dealing with trauma, clinical depression, or diagnosed mental health issues—get a therapist. We're not that.
If you're a high-functioning man who knows you're capable of more and you're ready to do the work to get there—that's what we do.
No nice couch required.
