One of the biggest differences between a coach and a therapist is the way they are accredited.
“Therapists are governed by a licensing board, and to legally provide psychotherapy, one needs a master’s degree with a state license to practice,” says Melendres.
In the United States, licensing requirements vary from state to state, but generally only practitioners who have at least a master’s degree in areas such as social work, marriage counseling or therapy and family and who have passed their state’s board licensing exams can legally be called therapists. You will see acronyms after the name of a licensed therapist, such as LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Advisor), or LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist).
There are many paths to becoming a therapist, but all therapists go through years of study and training, including obtaining a minimum of a master’s degree, gaining clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional and successful completion of a state-mandated board examination for licensing. Psychologists with doctoral-level degrees such as Ph.D. or Psy.D. may also choose to work with clients as therapists, although state licensing requirements may still apply. Psychiatrists, who are physicians with MDs who prescribe medication as part of a client’s treatment plan, may also be referred to as therapists.
For coaches, there is currently no centralized governing body that regulates or oversees the coaching industry, and there are no specific training or minimum requirements to become a coach. “I firmly believe that this is about to change,” notes Gozo however, “so it is strongly encouraged that anyone seriously interested in becoming a life coach be properly trained and certified to do so. “
As a client, here are some ways to check if your potential coach has the right training, certifications, and credentials:
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