Sometimes life feels like it’s running on fast-forward—between stress, health goals, relationships, or work, it can all feel overwhelming. You might wonder: Do I need therapy? Or would a coach be better? As someone who cares deeply about whole-person wellness, I’m here to explain how therapy and wellness coaching differ, when you might benefit from one or both, and how they can work together in a way that supports your full life.
🧠 Therapy vs. Coaching: What’s the Difference?
At their core, therapy and coaching serve different purposes—but both can support you in meaningful ways.
- Therapy is a licensed mental health service that focuses on healing from emotional pain, past trauma, or mental health concerns like anxiety or depression. It’s rooted in emotional support, insight, and safety, often delving into the past to make sense of present patterns.
- Wellness coaching (or life/health coaching) is forward-looking and goal-oriented. It supports lifestyle changes, accountability, growth, and habits—without diagnosing or treating mental health conditions.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Focus | Therapy | Wellness Coaching |
| Primary Goals | Emotional healing, diagnosis | Goal setting, motivation, habit changes |
| Approach | Explore past + present emotions | Action plans, future orientation |
| Credentials | Licensed Professionals (LCSW, LPC) | Certification programs (e.g., ICF) |
| Ideal For | Trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional pain | Life changes, habits, performance goals |
| Insurance Coverage | Often covered by insurance | Rarely covered; out-of-pocket |
You’ll want therapy if you’re facing emotional pain or mental health concerns. Coaching works well when you’re stable but want structure and accountability for growth. And yes—you can absolutely do both!
Why Both Can Work Together
Many people need both emotional support and structured goal support. Imagine this:
- Your therapist helps you heal from old wounds and process anxiety.
- Your coach helps you build healthy morning routines, professional goals, or wellness habits.
Combining both approaches can help you heal your past and step confidently toward your future.
How Therapy and Coaching Fit into Sara Sanford Therapy
At my practice, I am a licensed therapist (LCSW) first and foremost. At the same time, I integrate coaching-style tools into my therapeutic work—like goal-setting, motivation techniques, and accountability plans.
Therapy at Sara Sanford Therapy focuses on:
- Healing emotional wounds & trauma
- Building self-awareness, coping skills, and safety
- Navigating anxiety, depression, relationships, PTSD
Wellness coaching through our sessions may include:
- Developing self-care routines
- Setting lifestyle goals around sleep, boundaries, movement
- Using motivational tools to support life transitions
If you’re seeking both emotional healing and helpful structure, this integrated approach may be right for you.
When to Choose Coaching vs. Therapy
Here are some real-life examples to clarify when each path serves best:
You Might Benefit from Therapy If You Are:
- Experiencing anxiety, low mood, or emotional distress
- Healing from trauma or relationship pain
- Feeling stuck in thought patterns that impact daily life
Explore our posts like Counseling for Anxiety or Depression Therapy Services for insight.
You Might Benefit from Wellness Coaching If You Are:
- Wanting accountability to create daily habits
- Seeking a structure for wellness goals—sleep, boundaries, stress
- Feeling emotionally stable but needing help with consistency & focus
Learn more about lifestyle-oriented support in Personalized Therapy Plans.
You Might Benefit from Both If You:
- Have a history of emotional challenges but also want forward momentum
- Need trauma-informed healing and support building healthy habits
- Want a therapist who can help you with both past and present-forward change
This holistic approach aligns with insights that therapy plus coaching offers full-spectrum support.
What to Expect in a Session
- Initial exploration – We’ll talk about your history, current struggles, and goals.
- Trauma or emotional work – If therapy is needed, we’ll dive into coping strategies like CBT, mindfulness, EMDR, or trauma processing.
- Coaching & goal setting – Together, we’ll create daily steps and accountability for meeting those goals.
- Review & adjust – We’ll consistently check in on how both emotional healing and progress toward goals are going.
At Sara Sanford Therapy, the goal is to meet you where you are—with care, collaboration, and a commitment to your full growth.
How Different Approaches Support Wellness
Depending on your needs:
- CBT can help process thoughts & feelings academically
- Mindfulness teaches nervous system regulation
- ACT adds values-driven action to your toolbox
- Wellness coaching tools introduce habit tracking, motivational interviewing, accountability
All are woven into therapy in a flexible, compassionate way.
Who Benefits Most from Combined Care?
- Someone healing from PTSD who’s also working on job skills
- A parent managing anxiety while building self-care routines
- A teen navigating depression while wanting more focus and motivation
Our Online Therapy makes this integrated care accessible no matter where you are.
What the Research Says
- Therapy is backed by strong evidence for treating mental health conditions.
- Coaching shows effectiveness in habit change, resilience, and goal attainment.
- Combining both approaches often yields the best outcomes—and happens more than you might realize.
Getting Started
- Explore our Services
- Check Approaches for a deeper look
- Read related blog posts on emotional challenges and wellness
- Review Pricing
- Reach out via Contact for a free consultation
We’ll talk about your emotional context and goals—and make a plan together that meets both.
Final Words
At the end of the day, it’s not therapy or coaching—it’s about what you need today and what you want tomorrow. Healing your past and building future growth don’t have to live in separate spaces—they can support each other.
If that resonates with you, I’d be honored to explore it with you—wherever you are on your path. 🌱Warmly,
Sara Sanford, LCSW