Coaching is not counselling. One of the most obvious differences between the two approaches is that counselling tends to focus on feelings and experiences related to past events, whereas coaching is oriented towards goal setting and encourages the client to move forward.
Coaching is action-oriented. The focus is on where the client is right now, where they want to be next, and how to get them there. Counselling is a process in which the counselor, or therapist, helps you understand the causes for your problems and guides you through the process of learning to make good life decisions.
Coaching is future-focused, not exploring why there is a problem, but rather how life, performance, and career goals can be achieved.
Understanding the Boundaries, Ethics and Focus of Each Profession
As interest in coaching continues to rise globally, many people are considering coaching as a career path and exploring how it differs from counselling. Both fields are part of the broader spectrum of helping professions, and both aim to support individuals in leading more fulfilling lives. However, their foundations, goals, and methodologies are distinctly different.
For those considering enrolling in an ICF-accredited coach training program, understanding these differences is essential—not only to make an informed decision about your training, but also to practice ethically and confidently once you’re working with clients.
The Core Focus: Past vs. Future
The primary difference between coaching and counselling lies in their focus. Counselling (or therapy) is typically retrospective—it explores past experiences to heal emotional wounds or manage mental health conditions. It is often used to address trauma, anxiety, depression, or psychological dysfunction. Coaches, by contrast, work in the present-to-future space. Coaching is designed to help clients gain clarity, set goals, and take action to create a desired future.
A 2016 paper published in the International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring by Grant, Green, & Rynsaardt emphasized that while counselling is designed to bring clients from a state of dysfunction to functionality, coaching focuses on taking functional individuals to higher levels of performance and satisfaction. (Grant et al., 2016)
Coaching Is About Forward Momentum
In a coaching conversation, the client is typically assumed to be resourceful, creative, and whole. Coaches do not diagnose or treat emotional or psychological disorders. Instead, they ask powerful questions, listen deeply, and co-create strategies with the client to move toward meaningful change.
For example, a client may come to coaching saying, “I want to switch careers, but I feel stuck.” The coach won’t explore the emotional trauma of a previous job loss, as a counsellor might. Instead, they will help the client explore values, identify strengths, and map out a plan to transition to a new career path.
Counselling Offers a Safe Space for Healing
Counsellors and therapists are trained to understand and treat mental health concerns. They provide a safe space for clients to explore painful experiences, unpack emotional distress, and work through patterns that may be holding them back. Counselling often requires advanced degrees in psychology, social work, or therapy, and is typically regulated by licensing bodies in most countries.
Case Study – Counselling:
Tom, a 32-year-old man, sought therapy after experiencing panic attacks and persistent anxiety following a divorce. His therapist worked with him to process unresolved grief, explore childhood patterns of emotional avoidance, and build new emotional coping strategies.
Case Study – Coaching:
Priya, a senior marketing manager, felt her leadership style was no longer effective in her expanding role. Through coaching, she explored her strengths, experimented with new communication techniques, and set measurable goals to improve her leadership impact—all without needing to explore deep emotional trauma.
Overlap—and Ethical Boundaries
There is sometimes surface-level overlap between coaching and counselling—both involve deep listening, powerful questioning, and client-centered dialogue. However, knowing where one ends and the other begins is critical. Ethical coaching practice includes knowing when a referral is appropriate.
For example, if a coaching client begins to discuss symptoms of depression, such as extreme fatigue, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts, it is the coach’s ethical responsibility to pause the coaching relationship and refer the client to a licensed mental health professional.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) provides clear guidance on this through its Code of Ethics, emphasizing that coaches must operate within the scope of their training and competence, and refer clients when issues fall outside that scope.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Area | Coaching | Counselling |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Future-oriented | Past and present-focused |
| Purpose | Goal achievement, performance improvement | Emotional healing, mental health support |
| Client Profile | Functioning individuals seeking growth | Individuals needing emotional or psychological support |
| Techniques | Inquiry, reflection, goal setting, accountability | Diagnosis, therapeutic techniques, emotional processing |
| Credentialing | ICF or similar coach training and credentialing | Licensed psychologist, counsellor or therapist |
| Ethical Boundaries | Refers when mental health issues arise | May refer to coaching if goal-focused work is needed |
Why This Distinction Matters for Aspiring Coaches
If you are considering becoming a coach, it’s important to be clear on what coaching is—and isn’t. This will help you:
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Choose the right training program (look for ICF accreditation for global credibility)
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Set appropriate expectations with clients
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Stay within ethical guidelines
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Collaborate effectively with other professionals, such as therapists, HR consultants, or wellness practitioners
At International Coach Academy (ICA), we train coaches to confidently navigate these boundaries through a curriculum grounded in ICF competencies and ethics. You’ll learn how to create powerful coaching partnerships—and how to recognize when a client needs something beyond the scope of coaching.
Can You Be Both?
Many professionals integrate both coaching and counselling—but not in the same session. A licensed therapist who is also a coach must keep these roles distinct and communicate clearly with clients about which approach is being used. This protects both the client and the practitioner and aligns with the standards of both fields.
Real Student Story – Blending Backgrounds Ethically
Alex, a school counsellor in South Africa, joined ICA to transition into private practice with a focus on career and performance coaching. “What I love about coaching is how forward-focused it is,” he shares. “As a counsellor, I supported many students through difficult times. But as a coach, I get to help people design their future with intention and accountability. ICA’s training gave me the tools and confidence to keep the two roles separate while bringing the best of both to my clients.”
