Are there Differences Between Therapy and Coaching?

Drawing on my experience running a consulting and executive coaching business serving tech companies, construction management firms, and non-profit organizations, I recognize the critical importance of a strong, psychologically grounded foundation for excelling in this type of work. With a doctorate in psychology and extensive real-world experience, I have successfully guided numerous individuals in elevating their performance and achieving greater success within their organizations.

Coaching and therapy are distinct approaches. While both involve collaborating with a trained professional to address personal or emotional challenges, they differ in several important ways.

Coaching primarily focuses on the present and future, aiming to help individuals achieve specific goals or make positive changes in their lives. It is often action-oriented, with coaches collaborating with clients to develop effective strategies and practical tools for success.

Therapy, by contrast, often emphasizes exploring past traumas or negative experiences to help individuals gain deeper insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is typically more process-oriented, with therapists employing various techniques and modalities to support clients in working through their challenges.

Another significant difference between coaching and therapy lies in the required training and certification. Coaches are not subject to formal regulations or licensing, though reputable coaching programs often require extensive training and certification. In contrast, therapists must typically hold a master’s degree in psychology or a related field and obtain state licensure to practice. Psychologists hold a doctoral degree, and often also hold at least one masters degree. Knowing the extent of education and experience of your coach is essential.

Finally, coaching and therapy often differ in scope and duration. Coaching typically centers on achieving specific goals or making targeted changes within a shorter timeframe. Therapy, on the other hand, tends to be a more long-term process focused on fostering deeper insight, emotional growth, and healing.

It's important to recognize that while coaching and therapy serve different purposes, both can offer valuable support for individuals seeking guidance in their personal or emotional lives. The decision between coaching and therapy depends on the individual's unique needs, goals, and personal preferences, as well as their comfort level with each approach.

Coaching differs significantly from psychotherapy in that it follows a step-by-step process to help individuals create the life they desire. While coaching may offer space to explore past experiences, such as childhood memories or trauma, it does not delve deeply into these areas as therapy does. These topics may be briefly addressed in coaching, but only to inform the present and guide forward movement. In contrast, therapy focuses on understanding your past, uncovering long-standing patterns and behaviors formed early in life, and exploring how they continue to influence your current life. Therapy enables deep, transformative shifts in these ingrained aspects of your identity. The therapeutic process tends to be more involved, long-term, and oriented toward broader, more profound goals.

Coaching provides clients with the tools and strategies needed to achieve specific goals or initiate meaningful change through tailored action plans. With time-limited sessions and packages, coaching offers practical solutions that help clients gain relief from their current circumstances and mindset, empowering them to make immediate and lasting changes.

Executive/Business Coaching, Team Building and Meeting Facilitation

Executive/Business Coaching, Team Building, and Meeting Facilitation are three distinct services that can be provided individually or as an integrated package to support individuals, teams, and organizations in reaching their objectives and enhancing overall performance.

Executive/Business Coaching is a personalized one-on-one service aimed at helping executives, business owners, and leaders achieve both personal and professional goals. The coaching process involves collaborating with the individual to identify key areas of focus and create a tailored plan to enhance performance and drive success. This may include developing leadership skills, improving communication and interpersonal relationships, and strengthening decision-making capabilities.

Team Building is a service designed to enhance the effectiveness and cohesion of teams by focusing on relationship-building, communication improvement, and collaboration. The process typically includes a blend of group activities, assessments, and coaching, helping team members identify their strengths and areas for growth, and developing strategies to work more effectively together.

Meeting Facilitation is a service aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and productivity of organizational meetings. The facilitator collaborates with the group to define meeting goals and objectives, create a structured agenda, and ensure that all participants have the opportunity to contribute. Additionally, the facilitator manages conflicts and keeps the group focused, ensuring that objectives are met efficiently and effectively.

When combined, Executive/Business Coaching, Team Building, and Meeting Facilitation offer a comprehensive approach to enhancing organizational performance. This integrated strategy focuses on developing leadership skills, improving communication and collaboration, and boosting overall effectiveness and productivity. By partnering with a trained coach or facilitator, individuals and teams can achieve their goals and unlock their full potential.

For almost 20 years, Dr. Denise owned and operated Whole Person Consultation, a consulting firm specializing in Industrial Organizational Psychology. With extensive experience in various organizational roles, she gained in-depth knowledge of organizational psychology and developed programs for executive coaching, leadership development, and team building. Dr. Denise also specialized in facilitating class diversity in industries such as construction management. Many individuals who seek Dr. Denise’s services have achieved material success and are now seeking to find fulfillment and success from within.

Dr. Denise developed and launched nationwide programs across various regions to address class, interpersonal, and gender dynamics within teams. By implementing phased programs focused on enhancing emotional intelligence (EQ) in individuals and groups, she successfully facilitated organizational growth and improvement, leading to increased revenue and stronger team performance.

Year Long Program

While Dr. Denise previously focused on executive and business coaching within organizational settings for both individuals and groups, she has discovered that extending coaching beyond the office environment fosters deeper transformation for employees and C-suite executives alike. Her current executive and business programs can be easily accessed via Zoom meetings, offering flexibility and personalized support. Dr. Denise is selective in determining who is invited to participate in these exclusive programs, ensuring a tailored and impactful experience for each participant.

6 Month Program

Not ready for as deep of a dive? This is a mini version of the above.

Psychedelic Integration program for entrepreneurs

The Psychedelic Integration Coaching Program for Entrepreneurs is specifically designed to support entrepreneurs who have had psychedelic experiences in integrating their insights into both their personal and professional lives. This coaching program helps entrepreneurs explore the potential benefits and risks of psychedelic use, guiding them to harness their experiences for personal growth and business success. Through focused coaching, participants can better align their newfound perspectives with their entrepreneurial goals, leading to more purposeful and effective decision-making.

The Psychedelic Integration Coaching Program for Entrepreneurs is a three, six or nine-month program designed specifically for executives and entrepreneurs who are beginning to realize that life is more than just work, material success, and the pursuit of the next venture. While you've achieved your goals and built your success, you may feel an emptiness within—a sense that something deeper is calling for attention. This program provides the space to explore and address that inner void, offering a way to process your psychedelic experiences in a meaningful and transformative way, rather than filling it with another venture or external pursuit.

The program typically involves one-on-one coaching sessions with a highly trained coach, Dr. Denise, specializing in psychedelic integration. During these sessions, she will help you:

• Understand the potential benefits and risks of psychedelic use and develop strategies to manage any challenges that arise.

• Explore your psychedelic experiences and insights, and identify ways to integrate these revelations into both your personal and professional life.

• Identify limiting patterns or beliefs that may be hindering your growth, and work to overcome them.

• Develop techniques to enhance communication, creativity, and problem-solving in all areas of your life.

• Examine the relationship between your psychedelic experiences and spiritual or philosophical beliefs, and how these may influence your personal and professional journey.

In addition to one-on-one coaching, the program may include group workshops, online resources, and community support. Designed to be flexible and customized to meet your individual needs, the length and frequency of sessions can be adjusted based on your specific goals and challenges.

This program is not a substitute for therapy or medical care and should not replace mental health treatment. Entrepreneurs interested in psychedelic integration should consult with a qualified coach or therapist before starting the program.

The Psychedelic Integration Coaching Program is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking deep personal transformation. It offers a chance to meet yourself as you truly are, providing ample space to reflect and grow into a more authentic version of yourself.

For Executives and Entrepreneurs

The year-long coaching program for executives and entrepreneurs is designed to help individuals find balance in their lives and cultivate a more holistic approach to both personal and professional growth. Recognizing that there is more to life than just work and material success, this program supports participants in exploring deeper fulfillment and purpose beyond their achievements.

Through a blend of one-on-one coaching, group sessions, and workshops, participants will focus on developing leadership skills, improving communication and interpersonal relationships, and enhancing overall well-being. The program may incorporate mindfulness practices, stress reduction techniques, and strategies for achieving work-life balance.

Tailored to each individual's unique needs and goals, the program emphasizes developing sustainable habits and practices that foster long-term growth and success. Executives and entrepreneurs who participate will learn how to navigate the emptiness that often accompanies material success and discover how to cultivate a more meaningful and purpose-driven life.

This program is for those who have achieved success but now feel a deep, internal yearning that cannot be filled with more ventures or external pursuits. Instead, it calls for curiosity, attention, and exploration of one's inner landscape. The program offers ample space for executives and entrepreneurs to reflect and dive into this transformative journey of self-discovery.

Testimonials

"I have made the significant growth over my 6 months of coaching with Denise.  She has taught me and worked collaboratively with me to create a lot of great tools to feel at ease in situations that previously created a lot of stress for me in the office.  This truly helps me on a daily basis."

                                                                    -M.S., Project Manager and Division Lead

"Over the course of six months of coaching with Denise, my confidence has increased both with others as well as myself. I have learned that I have self worth. This effects not only myself, but my team and [company name] overall. I am rejuvenated and learned through tools of mindfulness at the workplace that if I just relax, I can be more productive overall." 

                                                                          -G.W., Entrepreneur, Executive Director

Denise has a great leadership presence and a nice personable touch that made me feel comfortable.  I enjoyed the way she led meetings so that they were informative, supportive, and efficient.  Even during the most difficult work situations, Denise maintained a professional demeanor.   She provided helpful feedback consistently and motivated the team to work together and independently to be very effective at achieving maximum billable hours while still providing excellent customer service. recommend Denise as a counselor, a coach, and as a consultant that can help strengthen performance and provide better results for you and your organization."           -R.A., Entrepreneur and team employee, Healthcare Management Corporation

More testimonials can be found here