Coaching, Counseling, and Therapy: Understanding the Differences
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Co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory
I had a professor in graduate school who defined the difference between counseling and therapy in a way that has stayed with me throughout my career. He described counseling as "technological input to help people readjust their behavior so that they can effectively function in the predominant society."
Therapy, on the other hand, he described as the process of "altering the underlying foundation of the individual in a way that sets the person into a new world. Although the individual may be happier and more functional, it may make living in the predominant society more difficult."
Where Does Coaching Fit In?
During my years of private practice as a therapist, there were times when counseling was all that a client would accept. Changes in society, economics, and mental health insurance coverage made therapy increasingly difficult to practice and ultimately contributed to my decision to make a career change and embrace coaching.
So, where does coaching fit in? I've always seen coaching as a valuable approach that draws on elements of both counseling and therapy. I would define it as "input that helps people readjust their perception of themselves and the world they live in."
Although coaching can, as my professor said, "set the person in a new world," I believe it can help people develop new perspectives while becoming more effective in their everyday lives. Rather than focusing primarily on deep-seated psychological conflicts, coaching generally emphasizes goals, behaviors, skills, talents, and the choices people make as they pursue change.
Coaching asks individuals to examine their behaviors, goals, skills, and talents and consider how well those elements align. The coach's role is to provide a process and methodology that help clients recognize where adjustments may be needed and determine how much effort they are willing to invest in making meaningful changes.
How Perceptual Style Theory Supports Coaching
The coaching tools we have created, based on Perceptual Style Theory, are designed to do all of these things. The assessments and their results challenge clients to look more closely at what skills they are bringing to their goals, how they are applying those skills, and what the results of their efforts may be.
I love coaching with this system because it gives me a way to help clients discover new insights about themselves and challenge them to grow and develop. Rather than digging deeply into their psyches or merely skimming the surface of their concerns, we focus on understanding their natural strengths, examining their current challenges, and identifying meaningful opportunities for change.
If you’re a coach yourself and want to learn more about this complete coaching system, I encourage you to get in touch. And if you’re a potential client looking for an effective way to change your perspective on your current situation, get more out of life, and learn some profoundly important things about yourself, I encourage you to do the same.
A Different Path Toward Personal Growth
The good news is that many of the challenges holding us back professionally and personally can be approached through greater self-awareness, clearer goals, and a better understanding of our natural strengths. For people whose needs are well suited to coaching, the right coaching system can provide a practical path toward meaningful growth and lasting change.
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About Dr. Gary M. Jordan, Ph.D.
Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 35 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology – Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. He’s a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents.
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