4 Key Benefits of Coaching vs Therapy

When it comes to supporting young people to navigate their lives and overcome challenges, many families wonder whether coaching or therapy is the right approach, and while both disciplines have their strengths, my experience has taught me that coaching can be particularly effective for young people.  

In this blog post, I will explore the key differences between coaching and therapy and explain why coaching can be more effective for young people.  

As a psychologist myself, it is at least curious that I find myself explaining why coaching may bring better results than the therapy itself when it comes to young people and their families!  

The truth is that after having worked many years with children and families, I have realized that therapy is not always effective and doesn’t suit everyone, especially children and young people, as they are not always receptive to spending hours engaging with a stranger, talking about the past and what brought them there!  

My experience while working with these families has taught me how to be humble, and curious, and to never ever stop working on developing my skills because every person is unique and will present diverse challenges.  

I have also learned that behaviour is usually an expression of the problem, not the problem itself, because we humans are far more complex than Psychology, Neuroscience, Psychiatry, or any other science on its own can explain. 

As a psychologist with a huge passion for healing, I am always looking for answers. I have started studying other approaches that could help me achieve my main goal - to help every family, child, and adult build healthy perceptions of themselves and know themselves as peaceful, complete, whole, and safe, and consequently, to become a solid foundation for future generations.  

I have studied different alternative therapies, such as Mindfulness Meditation, Transcendental Meditation, Reiki, and Human Design, and those have helped me to gain a new perspective on human behaviour and to develop a more complete approach - an approach that focuses on every aspect of a person’s health and one that looks at the entire person rather than focusing on just one aspect of the problem.  

But how can one introduce all these new concepts while guiding therapy sessions and focusing on past problems? Especially when working with young people. It is difficult and often does not work!  

Young people want answers and solutions; they dream about the future and want to be able to enjoy the present and make the most of it, but that cannot happen if they are dredging up the past in every session and are asked about how they feel when they are unable to understand what is going on inside their minds.

These youngsters need answers, they need someone who knows what they are experiencing and who confirms their feelings, doubts, and conflicted thoughts by normalizing them. They need to talk to someone who has been through similar situations themselves. Someone who can empathize because they have developed the skills and tools themselves to overcome similar struggles in their own experiences. They need relatability and reassurance. 

Coaching can offer all that, especially when delivered by qualified coaches with the knowledge, experience, relatability, and answers to empower them. 

Here are four of the key benefits of coaching vs therapy:

1: Coaching is forward-focused, while therapy is often focused on the past.  

This means that coaching is all about setting goals, developing plans, and moving forward in a positive direction. Young people often respond well to this approach, as they are more likely to be interested in creating positive change in their lives than dwelling on past events.  

2: Coaching is often more empowering than therapy.  

While therapy is focused on healing and repairing, coaching is focused on growth and development. Coaching helps young people to build their confidence, increase their self-awareness, and develop their skills and strengths. This can be incredibly empowering, as it gives young people the tools, they need to take control of their lives and achieve their goals.  

3: Coaching is often more practical than therapy.  

Coaching is all about taking action, and coaches are often skilled at helping young people to identify practical steps they can take to achieve their goals. This can be particularly helpful for young people who may struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns that can make it difficult to act. By focusing on practical steps and building skills, coaching can help young people develop greater confidence, resilience, and practical strategies for managing these issues and achieving success.  

4: Coaching can be more goal-oriented than therapy.  

While therapy often focuses on addressing emotional or psychological issues, coaching is all about setting and achieving goals. This can be particularly appealing for young people who are motivated by the idea of overcoming their emotional struggles and achieving success in their personal or academic lives. Coaching can help young people identify their goals, create a plan to achieve them, and stay on track as they work towards success.  

By focusing on the future, taking concrete steps, and being flexible and accessible, coaching can help young people build greater confidence and resilience as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood. 

Coaching can be a particularly good fit for young people because it is often more flexible than therapy. Many young people are juggling a range of activities and responsibilities, including school, extracurricular activities, work, and social obligations. Coaching sessions can be scheduled around these activities and can often be conducted virtually, making them more accessible and convenient.  

While both coaching and therapy can be effective approaches for supporting young people, coaching can be particularly effective for those who are looking to achieve specific goals and develop new skills.  

Every child and every family are different, but knowledge is key when it comes to choosing what is best for everyone and understanding the differences between coaching and therapy will hopefully help you make the best decision for your family.  

In conclusion, coaching can be more effective than therapy for young people for many reasons. It is forward-focused, empowering, practical, and goal-oriented, which makes it an excellent approach for helping young people achieve their full potential. 

Ana Pereira
Clinical Lead – Psychology
BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development
MSc Health Psychology, MBPsS

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