If you're exploring coaching for the first time, you've probably wondered how it's different from counseling or therapy. Both can help you grow, but they're legally distinct and suited to different needs. Here's a quick breakdown to help you figure out which one fits what you're looking for.
If you're mainly interested in working toward goals and changes you want to make in your life, coaching may be a good fit. If you're dealing with a mental health concern or something rooted in your past, a licensed counselor is the better choice.
Important note: Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can text or call 988, or visit the 988 website.
Defined by CCE, which administers the Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential, coaching is a career in which professionals have specialized education, training, and experience to assess client needs, collaborate on solutions, and offer strategies that help individuals and organizations reach their goals. Coaches with the BCC credential follow the BCC Code of Ethics.
One of my favorite parts of coaching is this forward-looking collaboration: coach and client working together to design the strategies that build the client's desired future.
Counseling and the role of the professional counselor are defined by individual states. As of 2026, most states require counselors to be state licensed and to meet specific educational requirements (it's worth checking your state's requirements directly, since standards vary). Because counseling centers on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, this licensure matters.
Counselors follow ethical codes set by their state, and those who hold the Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) credential also follow NBCC's Code of Ethics.
For neurodivergent people especially, it's common to be navigating both personal goals and the day to day realities of neurodivergence at the same time. Knowing which support fits which need, action oriented coaching versus clinical mental health care, helps you get the right kind of help for what you're actually working on.
I currently offer coaching online, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals in setting and reaching meaningful goals. My approach blends practical strategy with space for how you actually think and process, rather than asking you to fit a one size fits all model. Read more about my coaching here.
If you're curious whether coaching is the right next step for you, book a free intro call or explore the coaching page linked above.
Board Certified Coach Credential National Certified Counselor Credential Counselors who Coach (American Counseling Association)