Coaching and professional counseling have some overlap in that both can provide you with new perspectives and support, and ultimately help you become more self-aware. You may discuss many of the same topics like relationship and communication issues, job transition, unpleasant feelings, and roadblocks with both a therapist and a coach.

However, there are some distinct differences between professional counseling (psychotherapy) and coaching that I would like you to understand so you can make the right choice for yourself.

1)     Coaching services in the state of Texas are currently completely unregulated. Truly anyone can call themselves a coach – no specialized education or license is needed to give advice and inspiration.

2)     To provide mental health services a provider must be licensed by the state the client resides in. I have a license in professional counseling (LPC) that is regulated by the state of TX, for which there are significant requirements.

3)     There is a whole body of ethics and laws that I must comply with to maintain my license.

4)     As a therapist, I am trained to diagnose mental health disorders and treat or refer clients.

5)     With therapy, we often focus on a specific problem or issue and it may stem from the past or be something a client is currently dealing with.

6)     With coaching, the focus is typically more on present and future goals with less investigation into the past, unless it is relevant to the mission ahead.

7)     In therapy, we will work on processing feelings and emotions and develop better communication strategies for expressing oneself. A counselor offers support and guidance, but not much advice.

8)     In coaching, we will typically examine the facts of a situation, explore activities to enhance performance, and discuss what is actually transpiring in our relationships. A coach offers support and advice and is geared towards motivating and inspiring clients.

9)     Typically, coaching will move at a faster, more targeted performance-based pace.

10)  Therapy will often move at a slower more investigative pace, looking to resolve things from our past that might be disrupting our current lives.

11)  Therapy clients can ask for a superbill to submit to their health insurance provider. As a therapy client you have the potential to be reimbursed at your out of network rate.

12)  Coaching is not a health-related service and therefore cannot be billed to insurance and you should not use an HSA card. Some companies do have flexible choice Employment Assistance Programs (EAPs) that you can inquire with.

13) Tara Iagulli maintains two separate businesses - Iagulli Insights Therapy, PLLC and Garden House Insights, LLC. The trade name Garden House Insights is used for marketing purposes only as it increases transparency and clarity.

14) If you elect to engage in mental health therapy you will be served by Iagulli Insights Therapy, PLLC.

15) If you are a coaching client, you will be served by Garden House Insights, LLC.