As I mention elsewhere on this site, I hold a license as a Clinical Professional Counselor, but I no longer offer clinical counseling (also known as psychotherapy/therapy) as a service. Instead, I offer psychology-informed coaching. I sometimes refer to myself as a Therapeutic Coach or Master’s Level Coach, because I bring my background and experience as a therapist into my coaching work.

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You might wonder: what exactly is the difference between therapy (clinical counseling) and coaching? You might also wonder if coaching is covered by health insurance, like counseling/therapy often is. Read on to find out.

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Clinical Counseling, aka Therapy (short for Psychotherapy)

Therapy is considered part of the healthcare field. It involves diagnosing and treating mental health disorders — conditions like depression and anxiety. Licensed clinical counselors (therapists) hold a master’s degree or higher, complete extensive training, and meet rigorous state licensing requirements (and continuing education requirements, ongoing), like many other professionals in the health care field.

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Therapists help clients reduce or resolve mental health symptoms and improve overall wellbeing. There are many different types of therapy, and therapists often integrate a variety of approaches depending on their training and the needs of their clients.

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Coaching

Coaching, even when psychology-informed, is not healthcare. Coaches do not diagnose mental health conditions or provide treatment for symptoms. Instead, coaching focuses on personal and professional growth, helping clients identify goals and create meaningful change.

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Many coaches have training or certifications, but not all do. Coaching is not a regulated or licensed profession like therapy/clinical counseling is. So technically, anyone can call themselves a coach and charge for their services. That said, there are many, many amazing, brilliant, helpful coaches out there, so it just makes good sense that when you're looking for a coach, to find out what their qualifications are and use your best judgement to pick the right one for you — the same as you would when looking for a counselor/therapist. 

 

There are many types of coaches, including health and wellness coaches, executive coaches, career coaches, divorce coaches, retirement coaches, dating coaches, and business coaches — and many different types of life coaches that help people with specific challenges too numerous to mention. If you can think of a challenge someone might be dealing with, there's a coach that works with that issue. 

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Why Coaching Isn't Covered by Health Insurance

Health insurance only covers services that meet the definition of medical necessity. This means there must be a diagnosed condition, and the service must be aimed at treating that condition. Even then, coverage varies widely depending on your policy, and deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance often apply.

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To put it simply: Coaching is not considered medically necessary, because it does not involve diagnosing or treating mental health conditions.

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Think of it this way: Many services support our physical wellbeing but aren't covered by insurance — like massage,  spa services, or seeing a personal trainer. Coaching fits into that category; it may support our mental health, but it is not covered by insurance. It's something you can choose to invest in to support your personal growth, but it's not part of the healthcare system.

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The Overlap — and the Distinction

Some people say therapy focuses on the past while coaching focuses on the present and future. That’s an oversimplification. Therapy often does involve exploring the past, especially when it relates to exploring longstanding patterns and trauma, but it also helps clients with present challenges and reaching future goals.

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Similarly, coaching can sometimes touch on past experiences that influence current behaviors, but it is not designed to treat mental health symptoms or process trauma.

 

To Summarize:

• Therapy is healthcare; coaching is not.

• Therapy involves diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders; coaching does not.

• Both can support growth, insight, and positive change.

 

While coaching isn’t eligible for health insurance coverage, I strive to keep my pricing fair and transparent. If you have questions about whether my services are a good fit for you, feel free to reach out.