Beyond the Binary: Leadership Development Coaching, Therapy, and the Space In Between
I recently caught up with Alice Peycke, Leadership Development Coach and Head of New Business at Second Step, and Donna Ross, Executive Coach, Mentor, and Director of Operations at Safran. Together, we explored the ways people move in and out of coaching and psychological therapy and how these forms of support can serve distinct but complementary roles.
Here’s a distilled reflection of our chat!
A Common Question in Coaching Practice
When people seek support, whether for clarity, change, or healing, one of the first questions they often ask, and one that all three of us have seen in our practice, is: What’s the difference between coaching and therapy?
At times, the two can feel similar. After all, both offer a space for reflection, insight, and growth. Yet they are designed to meet different needs, often at different stages in a person’s journey.
Coaching vs Therapy: What’s the Difference?
Common Ground
Both coaches and therapists may draw on psychological theories and frameworks, and occasionally share methodologies.
Sessions can look backwards (to understand patterns and put current thinking and behaviour in context) and forwards (to explore goals, values, and actions).
The structure of support can vary, ranging from short, targeted blocks to longer-term, open-ended engagements.
Both relationships are grounded in professionalism, confidentiality, respect, and collaboration, providing a reflective space for exploration, insight, and growth.
Key Differences
Coaching is not designed to diagnose or treat mental illness. While therapeutic interventions are evidence-based for this purpose, coaching is not.
Coaching avoids clinical or diagnostic frameworks, operating instead in a non-clinical, client-led mode.
Coaching is typically more present and future focussed.
The evidence base differs: psychological therapies are underpinned by decades of rigorous research, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Coaching, while increasingly studied, currently draws from a body research lower down the evidence hierarchy.
Where Coaching and Therapy Fit In
One thing we all observe in our work is that support needs aren’t always linear or clear-cut. Instead, different forms of support are useful at different stages. A key part of good coaching is knowing our limits, and referring on to an appropriate therapist.
Foundational support before therapy
Alice has seen coaching used before people access therapeutic support. In these cases, coaching may feel more accessible than therapy. Starting with coaching on work-based goals can provide structure, stability and a reflective space where clients can identify their need for therapy on deeper issues, and break down the barriers to accessing it. Think Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in practice.A practical tool alongside or after therapy
All of us have seen clients come for coaching after having therapy, particularly following burnout, often some time later. Here, coaching can provide a space to focus on the present and future, fulfilling a preventative function alongside wider goals.
A space to figure things out
Donna often works with young people who aren’t in crisis, but need space to explore their values, direction, and identity. Coaching, in this context, offers a safe and flexible environment for reflection without the need for a clinical label.Post-therapy growth
Donna also sees coaching as a natural progression after therapy. Once mental health symptoms are under control, coaching can help a person shift their focus toward life design, exploring career decisions, leadership development, or personal change.Working through dilemmas before they become distress
I have found coaching to be especially useful when clients face tough, unresolved dilemmas: not necessarily related to their mental health, but with the potential to impact this if left unaddressed. Coaching can be the sounding board at the crossroads, helping clients find a way through before external pressures take a longer term toll
Final Thoughts
Instead of asking “Should I choose coaching or therapy?”, it may be more helpful to ask:
“What kind of support do I need right now…and why?”
Coaching and therapy serve different purposes, but both can be powerful. Sometimes, the most effective support includes elements of both at different points in the journey.
A really important post highlighting the similarities and differences between coaching and therapy. Thanks for writing this.