Coaching is not the same as therapy.  The distinction between them, however, is not razor sharp.

Theoretical differences

A very simple distinction may be that coaching is primarily focussed on the present situation, and how to make improvements for the future.  Therapy is often focussed on events in the past which have shaped the present, and thus will continue to shape the future unless they are resolved.

These distinctions blur quickly though, as there are many different forms of both coaching and therapy.    Therapy itself even breaks into two general streams – counselling and psychotherapy.

The best model may be a continuum.

• At the left-hand end is a very deep analysis of historic events and a desire to understand their impact on the present and future. 
• At the right-hand end is an acceptance that the past has happened, and does not need to be understood.  Instead the focus can be on the future, and what can be changed through deliberate action.

If we map the different approaches to therapy and coaching on this continuum, we find that therapy tends to be at the left hand end, and coaching at the right.  In the middle, we find coaching and therapy approaches which are quite similar.

Practical differences

The difference between coaching and therapy is more obvious when we look at how they both work.

• Frequency and duration: Coaching sessions tend to be on a weekly to monthly basis.  A coaching contract may be for a few months up to a year.  In contrast, a therapeutic relationship may be multiple times a week over many years.
• Content: Coaching sessions tend to be focussed around specific areas of concern and context.  This may be, for example, understanding your relationships in your work place.  Therapy sessions may be more open ended.
• Intention: Coaching sessions are not trying to understand and unpack your childhood traumas.  If a dialogue moves in that direction, the coach may highlight this, and can offer you support in finding a therapist if you wanted to explore it further.