I understand how complicated it can be when you are searching for help to address your anxiety, depression, ADHD, or relationship struggles. You are trying to find the right person, and maybe you have even found a therapist. And yet you are trying to understand what is counseling vs therapy vs coaching? Great question and I am here to help!

What is therapy?

Therapy is a treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder. In terms of mental health, it involves talking to a professional who will help people change behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that cause problems or distress. It can also be a way of exploring beliefs, feelings, relationship issues or working through traumatic experiences and grief.

What is counseling?

Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers people to achieve mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. The relationship helps a person to work through and possibly resolve personal, social or psychological problems and difficulties. It promotes healing.

Wait.. are counseling and therapy in Lake Oswego the same thing?

So really, counselling and therapy are often used interchangeably. Technically, therapist is seen as longer term and meant to resolve more serous mental health issues. Counseling can be seen as shorter in length, and focused more on specific life challenges. But again, In Oregon, I often see and hear these terms used interchangeably.

What about coaching? Is a coach what I need over a therapist in Lake Oswego?

Counseling and coaching are both supportive services aimed at helping individuals achieve personal growth and well-being, but they differ in their approaches, goals, and methodologies.

Counseling addresses emotional, psychological, and mental health issues such as past trauma, mastering anxiety, healing from depression, or addressing other mental health diagnoses. The focus is on improving emotional well-being and health. Counseling and therapy is performed by Licensed mental health professionals who are required to have at least a Master’s Degree and other specific qualifications and adhere to ethical standards.

Coaching centers on personal development, goal-setting, and achieving future aspirations such as in areas like career advancement, personal growth or performance enhancement. It emphasizes setting and achieving goals, building skills, and creating actionable plans using techniques such as goal-setting, action plans, and performance feedback. Coaches do not have any oversight, yet some are accredited by the International Coaching Federation.

Mental health-wise, such as addressing anxiety, ADHD, and couples counseling, a licensed professional counselor is your best bet!

You deserve support from someone who can deeply help you. Therapy isn’t just for chatting weekly, it is about reaching your goals and getting real support. I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Lake Oswego who can help you reach your goals. You deserve to get healing and support. 

I hope these questions help you find the right therapist in Lake Oswego and the surrounding Portland area. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (503) 327-6971 or my contact page on my website for a free 20-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help in your relationships, or you are struggling with life balance, anxiety or specifically ADHD, you can read more about how I can help here.