by Jessica Smith, Director of Operations and Dr. Kendra O’Hora, Owner
Reading Time: 9 minutes

“I know I need help… but is this a therapy thing or a coaching thing?”

We hear this question all the time. And honestly? You’re not the only one who’s felt stuck trying to figure it out. Life gets heavy, confusing, and loud. And on top of that, you’re somehow expected to know which kind of support is the “right” one before you even get started?

Let’s take that pressure off.

At our practice, we offer both therapy and coaching. Not because we believe one is better than the other, but because both are powerful. Both have their place. And both are rooted in the belief that people change, heal, and grow when they have the right kind of support.

So if you’re sitting in the “not sure what I need” camp, you’re in good company. You don’t have to figure it all out before you reach out. That’s part of what we’re here for.

Therapy vs. Coaching: What’s the Real Difference?

Therapy is about healing…unpacking old wounds, softening shame, exploring emotional patterns, and tending to what keeps you stuck.

Coaching is about action…finding clarity, setting goals, building confidence, and moving forward with intention.

Neither is better. They’re just different roads that sometimes run parallel, and sometimes cross.

Think of therapy as a safe space to slow down and make sense of the patterns that have been following you. It’s about healing. It often involves untangling the emotional residue of your past, softening shame, calming anxiety, and working through stuck places that feel all too familiar. 

Coaching is more like turning toward your future. It’s about gaining clarity, identifying what matters most to you, and finding traction in areas where you feel like you’ve been spinning your wheels. It’s not about fixing what’s broken, but about moving forward with purpose.

Both are grounded, supportive, and can be deeply transformational. They’re just focused in slightly different directions. And sometimes, you don’t need to pick one. Life isn’t neat like that. We often support clients in overlapping ways, and we’re happy to talk you through what might work best.

If you’re curious about the humans behind the work, you can get to know our team right here.

There Are Some Important Differences

While we see both as supportive, there are some big, important words that we need to throw at cha: status/power,  education, diagnosis, informed and ethical care, and tons-o-letters. 

Positional Power *and* Knowledge Power

An important place to start is understanding the difference between positional power and knowledge power. 

Positional power indicates a status someone has earned or achieved through education or regulation. Knowledge power indicates the information someone has earned or achieved through experience. 

Therapists have a license. This demonstrates their positional power and we want to honor that. In the United States, therapists have earned a master’s degree, completed a set number of clinical hours after their degree, and completed national and state exams to verify their knowledge. In addition, they are required to achieve a set number of continuing education (CEs) hours every two years to maintain their license. AND, they have to adhere to an ethical code about what they can/cannot do. 

Coaches do not have a license. They often, but not always, have a certificate that indicates a level of knowledge acquired and courses completed. They are not regulated by the state/government and they are not required to maintain knowledge through additional training. They also are not held to regulations or laws around what they can/cannot do. 

Both therapists and coaches have knowledge power. They have lived experience, collected information, and community participation that leads to an ability to understand the human experience in a unique and attuned way. In fact, some coaches are even more eager to study and learn about how the brain and body works and what successful pathways for change are. Because coaches are not regulated they can often view knowledge as opportunity, not burden, and are eager to consistently learn and evolve. 

It’s always OK to ask your provider to share what license they hold, what certificates they have, and what education they’ve recently been exploring. This is the best way to ensure it aligns with your needs and goals.

What About Scope and Diagnosis?

This brings us to an important distinction between therapists and coaches. Therapists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental illness. Coaches are not. 

Do coaches still see people who have mental illness? Yes, of course. Just like therapists do not prescribe medication but still see people on medication. As long as we are aware of what we can and cannot do. So, as a therapist we might ask someone to tell me what medication they are on, what side effects they are noticing, and how they are feeling about this decision. But when it comes to recommendations, feedback, or next steps, we would always point them back to their prescribing provider. No coach should advertise that they treat mental illness. 

How Can You Be An Informed Consumer?

Both therapists and coaches are big fans of you being informed. You can always start by asking a provider to explain their credentials, the letters after their name, what they do, their scope, etc. 

One of the absolute best question(s) you can ask to ensure you are safe with whatever provider you choose is: have you ever held a therapeutic license and lost it? Have you ever chosen to let your license lapse? Have you ever had disciplinary action taken against you? If yes to any of those, why? 

Unfortunately, some therapists lose their license and become coaches. This can be scary for consumers. We want you to be able to trust your provider. You don’t have to have it all figured out *and* you can always ask good questions to protect yourself.

Alphabet Letter Soup

The letters can be a lot, we’re not gonna lie. 

The best way to get clarity is to ask – ask your potential provider or ask good ol’ Google. 

At our practice, here’s what you’ll see and the shorthand of what it means: 

• PhD – Doctorate in a related mental health field; advanced education in the Art & Science of psychotherapy
• LCMFT – Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist
• LCPC – Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
• LGMFT – Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist (therapist in training)
• LGPC – Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (therapist in training)
• Board Approved Supervisor – The therapist has the years of experience and necessary training to train other therapists
• NCC – National Certified Counselor
• PMH-C – Perinatal Mental Health-Certified
• CLC – Certified Life Coach
• M.NLP – Master of Neurolinguistic Programming
• CPC – Certified Parent Coach

Our team also has some certifications and ongoing training under their belt that you may hear about or see associated with their names: 

• EMDR and EMDR Ego States Certification
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Somatic Attachment Therapy Certification 
• Certified Enneagram Practitioner
• Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician
• Prepare/Enrich Certified
• Psychosomatic Facilitation

Not Sure Which Door to Walk Through – Therapist or Coach? You’re Not Alone.

Here’s how we help people figure it out.

If you’re feeling anxious, numb, exhausted by shame, or stuck in patterns that feel deeply familiar (and not in a good way), therapy is often a good place to start. Therapy gives you the space to unpack emotional wounds, understand your inner world, and build healthier ways of relating –  to others and to yourself.

But if you’re feeling like you’re at a crossroads, perhaps, burnt out, lost in indecision, or ready to make a big change but unsure how, coaching might be a better fit. Coaching helps you take action. It’s about traction, not just reflection.

And if you’re a blend of both? Perfect. We’ve got referrals for that, too.

Real Life Doesn’t Fit in a Checkbox

Let’s say you’re a couple caught in the same cycle but one of you has a history of complex trauma and the other a pattern of addiction. These diagnoses and cycles make you a great fit for couples therapy – tackle the diagnostic treatment and create a path for a healthier bond. 

Let’s say you’re a couple that has awareness of your patterns, feels stuck, but is freakin’ ready for change. Motivated? Check! Collaborative? Check! Insightful? Check! Coaching can help you capitalize on what you see and take tangible steps forward.

Maybe you’re an individual who grew up with a narcissistic parent, and now every time you’re criticized at work, your nervous system goes into panic mode. That’s deep, emotional work and therapy can help you heal those roots. But maybe you’ve already done some of that work and now you’re ready to rebuild your confidence and set boundaries with clarity. That’s where coaching can help you live out your growth in real-time.

See? It’s not about choosing the “right” label. It’s about finding the right kind of help for you.

So… What’s It Like to Work With Us?

We’re a private-pay practice, which means we get to work outside the constraints of insurance and red tape. That gives us more time, flexibility, and creativity in how we support you. And it means you’re never just a billing code or a diagnosis to us. Read our full post on why private pay can be better care.

Our providers are well-compensated, supported, and encouraged to live full, meaningful lives…  so when they show up for you, they’re grounded, present, and energized. No burnout. No busywork. Just care that’s as human as it is professional.

Whether you’re in a therapy session or a coaching session, the vibe is the same: real conversation, thoughtful support, and a focus on what actually helps. We’re not about fixing you. We’re about walking with you while you do the work — and offering tools, insights, and nudges along the way.

Whether you’re sitting down with a therapist or a coach, the experience feels the same in all the right ways. You’re welcomed as a full person, not a checklist. Your story is heard and held. You’re offered insight, tools, and guidance that actually make sense in the context of your life,  not just generic advice or canned responses.

Sessions are tailored, the work is collaborative, and we move at a pace that honors your goals, your nervous system, and your capacity. We don’t rush healing, and we don’t waste time either.

Who We Work With

We work with couples who are tired of talking in circles and ready to rebuild connection, not just coexist.

We work with individuals who are healing from narcissistic abuse, emotionally immature parents, or the quiet ache of never feeling “enough.”

We work with people who are craving change – even if they don’t yet know what that change looks like.

We work with high achieving individuals who are killing it in every aspect of their professional life but experiencing gaps in their personal identity, relationships, or life purpose.

We work with families who are stuck. Parenting challenges, distant or relational ruptures, divorce and remarriage, sibling abuse and trauma, and more.

We work with women at all walks of life: infertility, conception, miscarriage, infant loss, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting.

We also love love love to work with individuals and couples who are all about the Enneagram. We offer Enneagram Typing Interviews and tailored Enneagram coaching that helps you gain deeper insight into who you are, how you relate to the world, and how to make the most of your natural gifts. 

And if you’re not sure you fit into any of these categories, that’s okay,  if you’re seeking growth, healing, or deeper connection, we probably work with you too.

Wherever you are in your story, we’d be honored to help. You can book a consultation online, today. 

You Don’t Have to Have the Right Words to Reach Out

You don’t need a diagnosis, a five-year plan, or the perfect way to explain your struggles. 

You just need a tiny bit of courage – enough to say, “Something isn’t working, and I’m ready to do something about it.”

We’ll take it from there. Email our Inquiry Specialist, Maura, today at inquiry@wellnessandco.org.

Let’s Take the Next Step Together

If you’re ready to talk through what kind of support might be the right fit, you can book a consult call through our online process and we’ll match you with someone on our team who fits your needs and your style.

If you’d rather reach out with questions or explore a bit more first, you can do that too. Visit our Contact Us page to send us a message or learn more. 

Whatever you choose, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. We’re here when you’re ready.

With gratitude,

Jessica & Kendra

Kendra O'Hora( PhD, LCMFT )

Dr. K started Wellness & Co. with the desire to provide top-notch therapy to our local community. Now, Wellness & Co., has therapists, coaches, tutors, and professional organizers – all to provide wrap-around, boutique style care to our clients. Dr. K specializes in couples therapy, healing from infidelity, and supporting individuals through relational transitions.