What is coaching?
Coaching is a forward-focused, action-oriented form of support. Where therapy often explores why you feel or behave a certain way, coaching is more about where you want to go and how to get there. Coaches help you set goals, identify what's in the way, and build the habits and skills to move forward.
Coaching isn't licensed mental health care — coaches don't diagnose or treat mental illness. But for everyday challenges (career transitions, relationship patterns, performance, life direction, addiction recovery), coaching can be incredibly effective. Many people work with both a coach and a therapist for different parts of their lives.
The coaching world has a wide range of training and standards. Look for coaches with credentials from established bodies (ICF — International Coach Federation — is the most common), or with deep professional backgrounds in their coaching area.
Within this category
Personal Coaching
Life direction, relationships, habits, personal growth. Sometimes called life coaching. Useful when you know something needs to change but aren't sure what or how.
Business Coaching
For business owners, executives, or anyone navigating professional growth. Focus on leadership, decision-making, communication, and professional development.
Sports Coaching
Performance coaching for athletes — both the physical training side and the mental game. Includes confidence work, focus, recovery from injury, and competition pressure.
Recovery Coaching
Peer support from someone with lived experience in recovery from addiction. Not therapy; complements clinical care. Particularly useful between sessions or in early recovery. Often the right first step for people not yet ready for formal treatment.
Parenting Coaching
Coaching for parents navigating the day-to-day of raising kids — behavior challenges, neurodivergent children, sibling dynamics, screen time, school transitions. Especially helpful for parents of kids with ADHD, autism, or anxiety.
Health Wellness Coaching
Holistic coaching focused on building sustainable healthy habits — sleep, movement, stress, energy. Different from a personal trainer; the focus is on the behavior change and mindset more than a specific physical outcome.
Nutrition Coaching
Guidance on building a healthier relationship with food and eating. Some coaches focus on weight, others on energy, healing chronic conditions, or recovering from disordered eating. Look for credentials (RD, CNS) for clinical nutrition.
Relationship Coaching
Coaching focused on romantic relationships, dating, communication, attachment patterns. Useful for individuals or couples who aren't in crisis but want to improve how they connect.
Career Coaching
Support for job changes, career pivots, interviewing, salary negotiation, leadership growth, or figuring out what's next. Different from business coaching, which focuses on running a company.
Spiritual Coaching
Coaching that integrates the client's spiritual or religious life with their personal growth. Traditions vary — Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, non-denominational, mystical. Often helpful for life transitions or meaning-making.
Other Coaching
Coaching approaches not listed above — specialty modalities, niche focuses, or unique combinations.
Things people ask
What's the difference between coaching and therapy?
How do I find a qualified coach?
Does insurance cover coaching?
How is coaching structured?
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