Talk Therapy vs. Coaching
Janet Namdari • May 28, 2025

Ever wondered how the two compare?

This is something I'm often asked about and so I decided to write about it. 


[Disclaimer: my analysis is based solely on my own personal experiences of being on the receiving end of both modalities, my research, and my professional training and experiences as a Coach. My analysis is by no means comprehensive and ought to only be used as a starting point for the decision-making process.]


I’ll begin with TALK THERAPY: 


~Traditional talk therapy models (such as CBT), tend to focus on what’s above the neck - the mind. 


~It’s an intellectual process that involves back-and-forth conversation between the therapist and client to attempt to understand situations and solve problems.


~In addition to other reasons, some clients seek talk therapy with the intent of healing past trauma. 


~Sessions are usually about 50 minutes in duration and are typically held weekly or biweekly.


~Sessions are stand-alone (meaning that support is not offered in between sessions by one's therapist) and are usually held weekly or biweekly for an undetermined amount of time.


~Often, talk therapy clients tend to meet with their therapist of choice for many sessions over a period of months or even years.


~Typically, significant change or improvements in one’s quality of life happens gradually. 


COACHING, on the other hand…


…like the transformational kind I offer, is more of a body-based approach (remember- trauma lives in the body, not just the mind). 


~Typically, clients have a specific goal in mind when seeking the support from a coach.


~Breath work may be incorporated into sessions to help assist with the deepening process. 


~Usually sessions are longer than talk therapy sessions (for my clients, they’re anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on focus) and bundled as packages. 


~Depending on the coach and the package, support may be offered between sessions as well. [This is key for those of us that need that accountability support.]


~Clients typically get desired results quickly in as little as a few sessions. 


[Clients of mine frequently report that they are surprised by how fast the process is.]


Ok, so now onto answering the question I opened with - is one better than the other?


Not necessarily - it really depends on what you’re needing and desiring in your life right now...


Not sure? Let’s have a conversation that will give you the clarity you need! Simply click the "Free Call" at the bottom of this page to get started.


With loving-kindness,

Janet

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