What’s the difference between a therapist, coach and mentor?
THE BENEFITS OF SUPPORT
Photo by Thomas Verbruggen on Unsplash
"What you nurture grows." ~ Unknown
I believe in normalizing support.
In my life I’ve had the privilege of 4+ therapists, 6+ coaches and 2+ mentors because I, like you, am growth minded.
Each of these super skillful individuals have had a tremendous impact on my life and work.
What’s the difference between a therapist, coach and mentor?
I am often asked this question, and the other day was asked how I, as coach, manage the sometimes unusual terrain of being in a coaching relationship with a human.
The short answer?
I’m trained to know when I’m out of my depth. And, I am bound by governing bodies that prohibit me going outside those bounds.
But not all coaches have this training nor are a part of a governing body, so I encourage you to learn the difference between the kinds of support; just as one therapist is different from another, so is the case amongst coaches and mentors.
All three are helpful
As you learn the differences, know all three are hugely beneficial. Use these differences to create your unique web of support.
The following are four dimensions to consider. And no, this is not an exhaustive list.
1) Time Orientation: past? present? future?
A therapist’s work involves healing past trauma and alleviating psychological suffering.
A coach will work with a client to develop skillfulness for a current or near future goal or intention.
A mentor engages a mentee to give them a longer range view.
My clients often have a therapist as well. Hot damn is all I can say - this is a powerful way to create wholeness and health.
2) Qualifications and skills
Therapists have deep training, usually a graduate degree, are credentialed and governed by certifying bodies who regulate their work and approach. Their skills have both breadth and depth.
The coaching profession continues to evolve. Education ranges from a month-long certificate to 3 years of training. Schools may or may not require students to do a client practicum. And many coaches are not certified. I know a lot of incredible coaches whose qualifications and skills run the gamut.
My own training was three years in length, and the program requirements exceeded the highest standards outlined by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Mentors are often paired with a mentee inside an organization. They may or may not offer mentors training. In general, to qualify to be a mentor you hold greater experience and education than the mentee.
In my view, each of the above should make confidentiality paramount but again, this varies.
3) Outcomes and duration of support
Therapists provide ongoing and longer term, often open-ended support. Their focus is healing, working through past traumas and dysfunction, where the practitioner is the expert.
Coaches engage in a co-creative relationship with a client and focus on achieving goals and outcomes to support day to day professional and personal effectiveness for a defined period of time. While it is possible to work with a coach in an ongoing way, often the directive is that the client receives support to achieve concrete goals.
Mentorship varies in length of support, and outcomes can be achieved by defining expectations between mentor and mentee.
4) Benefits of each
In a perfect world, women would access all three forms of support to optimize their wellbeing and impact. Here are just a handful of benefits offered by each.
Therapy:
Offers a safe and trusted space for healing
There are a wide variety of therapeutic interventions
Therapy has a long history founded in the medical model and is scientifically validated
Appropriate for people of all ages
Coaching:
Can co-create a pathway for improved wellbeing, productivity, and goal attainment across a range of areas
Can develop self-awareness and collaborate on concrete action plans to move into a new way of being
Be invigorated with accountability to set and reach milestones s
Emerge with customized toolkit and practices
Gain clarity and a new perspectives on issues of importance
Mentoring:
Work effectiveness and career advancement
Inside an organization, can create a bond and sense of belonging
A discerning career partner can make less complex decisions that one can take to advance
What if?
What would happen if women measured their success by the strength of their webs of interdependence?
We don't need to go it alone!
When you're ready for a stronger web
If you'd like to forge a stronger web, and sink into the benefits of coaching support, remember that fit matters.
This is why I offer offering pitch-free gift sessions so that you can experience support without the noise or distraction of sell-sell culture. Book in here and explore what's possible!
Susan xo
P.S. I got loads of good info for this article here.