If you’re wondering whether coaching or therapy is the right path for you, you’re not alone. The truth is, both can be incredibly beneficial—and sometimes, they work even better together. Therapy helps us heal, understand past traumas, and make sense of our patterns, while coaching is more about moving forward with purpose. It’s not a matter of choosing one or the other; often, both can help you grow in ways you never imagined.
Personally, I’ve worked closely with psychoanalysts and continue to do a lot of inner work myself. It’s been an intensive process, digging deep into the parts of me I hadn’t always been conscious of.
But no matter how much inner work we do, we all have blind spots. That’s why I still turn to coaching, even as a coach. It helps me uncover those hidden areas that I may not see clearly, and it’s been a crucial part of my growth. Self-reflection is essential, but sometimes we need that outside perspective to help us see what’s right in front of us.
Understanding Different Therapeutic Approaches
Therapy is often about looking at the root of things—what experiences or patterns from the past are shaping your present behaviour? Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the common approaches:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is structured, practical, and goal-oriented. It focuses on changing negative thought patterns by teaching you how to look at situations differently. It’s great for managing anxiety, depression, and many other mental health challenges because it gives you tools to use in your everyday life.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a specialised form of CBT, designed to help people regulate intense emotions. It’s particularly helpful for those struggling with emotional instability or borderline personality disorder. DBT teaches skills like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—things that help you navigate really intense feelings.
Now, psychoanalysis takes a bit of a different approach. It’s more about understanding the unconscious mind and how past experiences—often from early childhood—continue to affect you. There are several types of psychoanalysis:
- Freudian Psychoanalysis is all about exploring repressed memories, unconscious desires, and early childhood experiences. Freud believed that our psyche is shaped by the id (our primal urges), the ego (the part of us that navigates reality), and the superego (our internalised sense of morality).
- Lacanian Psychoanalysis, while based on Freud’s ideas, puts more emphasis on language and how we are shaped by symbolic structures in our lives. Lacan argued that our sense of self is fragmented, which can create feelings of anxiety or confusion. But by understanding this, we can start to experience more freedom.
- Jungian Analysis is where things get a little more spiritual. Jung believed that understanding our unconscious desires and archetypes—the universal symbols we all share—leads to personal growth. He also emphasised the collective unconscious, suggesting that we are all connected on a deeper level through shared myths and symbols.
These psychoanalytic approaches dig deep into your past and subconscious, which is a slower but often very rewarding process. In contrast, CBT and DBT are more focused on solving present-day problems by changing how you think and behave.
What Coaching Looks Like
Now, let’s talk about coaching. Coaching is much more future-focused. It’s about clarity, empowerment, and moving forward. Where therapy delves into your past, coaching is all about where you’re headed.
Here are four coaching techniques that I find especially effective:
- Unconditional Positive Regard: This is about creating a non-judgmental space where you can be fully yourself. It’s inspired by Carl Rogers’ humanistic approach and helps you feel safe and supported, which is key for growth.
- Positive Psychology: Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, positive psychology helps you focus on what’s right—your strengths, your wins, and the things that are already working well. This builds resilience and a more optimistic outlook.
- Embodiment Practices: Sometimes, the body knows things the mind hasn’t figured out yet. Through practices like mindful movement or breathwork, I help clients tune into their body’s wisdom. This can lead to deeper self-awareness and emotional breakthroughs.
- Goal Setting and Accountability: A big part of coaching is breaking down your long-term vision into practical, achievable steps. I help my clients stay accountable, so they keep moving toward their goals, even when things get tough.
Why Combining Therapy and Coaching is a Powerful Approach
So, why consider both therapy and coaching? Therapy helps you heal, understand, and come to terms with your past. It’s invaluable for emotional processing and getting to the root of patterns that no longer serve you. Coaching, on the other hand, takes that emotional work and gives it direction. It helps you build a path forward, with clear goals and actionable steps.
Research has shown that combining therapy and coaching can lead to more comprehensive growth. Therapy clears away emotional blockages, while coaching gives you the tools to achieve your life goals. It’s a powerful combination because you’re addressing both the emotional and practical aspects of personal growth.
My Journey and Ongoing Learning
In my own journey, I’ve found that both therapy and coaching have been essential. Working with psychoanalysts has given me deep insights into my unconscious mind, while coaching keeps me focused on moving forward. Self-reflection is a lifelong process, and I continue to work with coaches to address my own blind spots.
I’m also continuously educating myself, with the goal of merging my coaching practice with psychotherapy. I bring together unconditional positive regard, positive psychology, and embodiment practices to help my clients not only heal but also move forward with purpose and clarity.
Ready to Discover What’s Right for You?
If you’re still wondering whether coaching or therapy is the right fit, let’s chat. We can explore what you’re looking for and decide together the best path forward for your growth and well-being.
