While there is some overlap between therapy and coaching, therapy usually focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of significant mental health issues such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder. Therapy may examine past experiences in a way that fosters insight, resolution, and healing. With a significant commitment of time and resources, therapy can uncover the historical roots of current difficulties and symptoms to achieve symptom resolution and improved daily functioning.

Coaching, on the other hand, starts from where the person is now and is forward-looking. It focuses on setting and achieving short-term and long-term goals in collaboration with a “thought partner.” Coaches provide support for attaining an individual’s specific and concrete objectives that are not necessarily healthcare-related and address issues that, while uncomfortable, are not debilitating.

Understanding this distinction is an important part of choosing the right “helper” for you. Whereas psychotherapists’ primary focus may be on maintaining stability and recovery from symptoms, coaches facilitate enhanced performance and goal attainment across the eight domains of wellbeing.

At Sunstone, coaching is a forward looking, novel thinking, goal driven process that transforms communications and addresses obstacles to achieving your desired outcome(s). It enhances your problem-solving ability by leveraging both your strengths and your challenges. It assists in the discovery or rediscovery of your purpose and works with you to align your purpose to your actions.