According to Patrick Williams, Ed.D., MCC, "Therapy is vital for those with psychological problems or what we call pathology. Coaching is for those who are healthy (no serious mental health problems). Both fields have their place and should not be confused. For advanced therapy patients (major issues resolved), coaching can be an additional benefit, but coaching assumes the healing and well-being of it's clients as a given. A therapist may add coaching skills to his or her practice, but a coach never engages in therapy. A coach is trained to detect any need for therapy and there are guidelines for when to refer a coaching client to a therapist."

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There are similarities between counseling/therapy and life coaching. Both work to enable clients to make positive changes in their lives and become more productive. While therapists diagnose and treat from a healthcare perspective, not all therapy clients are ill; many healthy people seek the services of both therapists and life coaches. This is why I would not do life coaching without a background in therapy. There are many life coaches that are doing therapy with clients, but are not trained or experienced to do so.