Not infrequently, colleagues, clients, or friends ask me this question: "What exactly is the difference between psychological coaching and psychotherapy?" So I've decided to write a short blog post about it and highlight the differences.

The difference at the target level

Psychotherapy and psychological coaching differ in their goals. The central intention, what is to be achieved with each format, is different.

Psychotherapy is the path "away from" something

When we seek psychotherapy, there is usually underlying severe emotional distress or a diagnosed mental illness. Severe emotional distress can manifest, for example, as trauma or a depressive episode, leading to burnout or bore out. This overload results in us no longer being able to cope with our daily lives and our existence in a way that allows us to maintain our well-being consistently. Therefore, a situation arises where my health, in the sense of holistic well-being (psychological, physical, and social), is no longer stable. Psychotherapy supports us in moving away from this health-endangering situation in order to be able to cope with daily life in a healthy way again. There are many different therapeutic approaches, but the majority of them involve analyzing the causes precisely and addressing them to move "away from" them.

Psychological coaching is the path "towards" something

Psychological coaching focuses particularly on the future and finding solutions to problems. People seek coaching when they want to develop in a specific direction and wish to receive support in doing so. This means that coaches accompany their clients, especially in challenging situations, to help them overcome these challenges effectively, even without a psychological diagnosis. At the same time, the absence of a psychological diagnosis is not a prerequisite for seeking psychological coaching. However, any existing illnesses or diagnoses are not the focus of the collaborative work. Nevertheless, psychological coaching can, in some cases, contribute preventatively to reducing the likelihood of future health-related overload. For example, a stressful work environment can be addressed in psychological coaching to make decisions on how to reduce the strain.

The difference at the qualification level

The opportunities to offer psychotherapy or psychological coaching also differ at the qualification and basic professional levels. The requirements vary from country to country. Here, I will present the differences in the requirements in my home country, Germany, and in my current country of residence, Austria.

Who May Offer Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a medical profession for Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders with correspondingly high qualification requirements in the medical training sector. Training elements include studies, subsequent further training and qualifications, as well as many hours of practical experience. In Germany Those individuals may offer psychotherapy who come from a relevant primary profession, such as psychologists and doctors, and have also obtained appropriate qualifications through further training. Another possibility for qualification is a degree in psychotherapy or a psychotherapy license according to the Heilpraktikergesetz (Non-Medical Practitioners Act). In Austria The prerequisite for admission as a psychotherapist is the completion of the psychotherapeutic propaedeuticum and the psychotherapeutic specialism. Access to these training programs is regulated by law. Prior training in the medical field or certain degree programs, in particular, qualify individuals to complete them.  

Who is allowed to offer coaching

Fundamentally, offering coaching as a service is not as strictly regulated as psychotherapy. It is not a "protected" term. However, this does not mean that coaching is per se of lower quality. Here too, there are various providers who offer long-term qualification programs. Depending on the training path, coaching then focuses on different methods and perspectives. Which coaching is right for whom depends on what issue you are seeking coaching for and, above all, which methods appeal to you. Even though it is not a protected term, there are certain characteristics that can tell you at first glance whether the coach has proven qualifications. In Austria For example, a trade license for business consulting or life and social counseling indicates that the person has undergone a certain form of qualification. A trade as a business consultant is only approved if the person can demonstrate a sound economic and legal background, corresponding consulting know-how, and practical experience. A trade as a life and social consultant is only approved for those who can provide proof of appropriate professional training and professional activities. In Germany One way to assess the qualifications of a coaching provider is to take a closer look at their proof of thematic training and experience. For example, if someone offers coaching for conflict management, their qualifications and possibly client testimonials should indicate that they possess relevant knowledge. Proof of coaching training in a specific method that is mentioned also provides an indication of whether a coach is a good fit for you.

Who is allowed to offer psychological coaching

Psychological coaching is a method of coaching that is taught as part of training to become a certified psychological coach. This training is currently only offered in Austria. Methodologically, psychological coaching combines systemic, hypnosystemic, and solution-focused elements into an effective approach. The training is also recognized as further education for psychologists. The approach in psychological coaching is based on the scientific work of Milton Erickson, Insoo Kim Berg, and Steve de Shazer and Gunther Schmidt. The trainers Christine Hoffmann and Vera Popper Define psychological coaching as follows:

Psychological coaching, based on current scientific concepts, supports individuals and teams in defining goals, activating personal resources, developing and implementing concrete action steps with focused questions and creative interventions. Inner conflicts are resolved, the diversity of available options is rediscovered, and one's own potential is optimally utilized. Through psychological process support, self-efficacy, self-reflection skills, assumption of responsibility, and self-management competence are sustainably promoted, thus improving independent problem-solving in the future.

Coaching and psychotherapy are two services for different needs

Psychotherapy and coaching are services that cater to different needs. Offering these various services is linked to certain quality criteria. Additionally, there are specializations in specific approaches, methods, or subject areas, some of which also require additional qualifications. Personally, I have different coaches for different concerns. And depending on the diagnosis, different therapists are necessary. It's important when choosing a coach to pay attention to their qualifications because "coach" is not a protected term. If you are currently facing a challenge in your career path, or if you would like to discover how to live your heartfelt passions more and define and follow your authentic path to success, then coaching might be helpful for you. Feel free to contact me for a non-binding initial consultation and we'll find out if my style of coaching and my offerings are right for you.

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