You’ve probably heard of life coaching. You’ve definitely heard of therapy. But when you're struggling, which one makes sense for you?

That’s a common question. A lot of people aren’t sure where life coaching ends and therapy begins. Some think they’re the same. Others assume coaching is just “therapy lite.” The truth is: they’re not the same thing—and picking the wrong one can leave you stuck.

Here’s a clear breakdown of life coaching vs therapy, so you can figure out what you actually need.

What is Therapy?

Therapy is about healing.

It’s typically led by a licensed mental health professional. Therapists help people work through anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, grief, or relationship issues. Therapy often looks backward. It helps you understand what happened and how it’s still affecting you.

A therapist can diagnose mental health conditions. They use clinical methods to treat them. Some therapists use cognitive-behavioral tools. Others use somatic approaches. But the focus is the same: supporting your emotional and psychological recovery.

If your daily life is affected by your mental health, therapy is likely the better option.

What is Life Coaching?

Life coaching is about progress.

A life coach helps you move forward in areas like career, habits, productivity, or self-confidence. Coaching is action-focused. It’s about setting goals, building accountability, and changing patterns that are holding you back.

Life coaches don’t diagnose. They don’t treat mental health conditions. They don’t dig into childhood trauma or clinical anxiety. Coaching assumes you’re emotionally stable and ready to move toward something new.

If you're feeling stuck but generally okay, coaching might be a good fit.

Can You Do Both?

Yes. In fact, it often helps.

Some people start with therapy to address past wounds or trauma, then move into coaching once they feel more stable. Others might work with both at the same time—handling emotional health in therapy while using coaching to meet goals.

The key is to be honest about where you are right now. If your energy is going toward managing stress, anxiety, or unresolved pain, coaching probably won’t help much. You can’t move forward if you’re constantly pulled backward.

Warning Signs Coaching Isn’t Enough

Sometimes people choose coaching because it feels less “serious” than therapy. Or they don’t want to deal with painful emotions. But if you're showing any of these signs, therapy is the better route:

• You’ve experienced trauma and haven’t talked about it
• You’re often overwhelmed or shut down
• Your relationships are strained and you don’t know why
• You have patterns you can’t break no matter what you try
• You feel numb, depressed, or anxious most days

Coaching isn’t built to hold that kind of pain. Therapy is.

Why the Confusion?

Part of the confusion around lifecoaching vs therapy comes from how both professions talk. Coaches sometimes use language that sounds therapeutic. Therapists often help people set goals or change habits. The lines can blur.

But remember: therapists are trained to hold emotional and psychological complexity. Coaches aren’t. That’s not a knock on coaching. It’s just a difference in scope.

If you're hiring someone to help you, you need to know what they’re actually trained to do.

How to Decide What You Need

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I trying to heal or grow?
• Do I feel emotionally safe right now?
• Am I stuck because of a pattern—or a wound?
• Do I need support with mental health or motivation?

If your answers lean toward emotional pain, past trauma, or mental health struggles, start with therapy. If you're feeling okay emotionally but want help reaching goals or creating structure, coaching may be a better fit.

You can always switch paths later. The most important thing is to start where you are.

Life coaching vs therapy isn’t about choosing the “better” support. It’s about choosing the right support for your situation.

Therapy helps you heal. Coaching helps you grow. Both are valid. Both can change your life. But they do different jobs. Don’t ask a coach to do a therapist’s work—and don’t expect a therapist to help you build a business plan.

Be honest about what you’re carrying. That’s how you find the help that actually works. Get in touch today to discuss your unique needs.