What is a life coach, and how is it different from therapy?
In short
A therapist helps you understand and heal what has happened. A life coach helps you get clear on where you want to go and what keeps getting in the way. Many people use both at different times.
If you've ever typed "do I need a coach or a therapist?" into Google late at night, you're not the only one. It's one of the questions we hear most. Usually from someone who knows something needs to change, but isn't sure what kind of help fits.
The short answer: a therapist helps you understand and heal what has happened. A coach helps you get clear on where you want to go, and what keeps getting in the way. Both are valuable. They just do different jobs.
Here's how we explain it when people ask us.
What does a life coach actually do?
A life coach works with you on where you are now and where you want to be. The conversations are practical and look forward. Together, you get clear on what you want, notice the patterns that keep pulling you back, and take real steps in your everyday life.
Good coaching isn't someone telling you what to do. It's closer to having a skilled thinking partner. Someone who asks the questions you've been avoiding, and notices what you can't see because you're too close to it.
At Innerform Health, we work at the level of identity. The question isn't "how do I build a better morning routine?" It's "who have I become, and is that who I actually want to be?" That's often where the stuck feeling lives.
What does a therapist do?
Psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists are trained to help with mental health conditions, trauma, grief and the deeper wounds that shape how we feel and behave. Therapy often explores the past and how it still shows up today.
In Australia, psychologists are registered health practitioners. They can assess and treat conditions like depression and anxiety disorders. If you're finding it hard to get through the day, therapy is usually the right place to start.
So what's the real difference?
The simplest way to think about it:
Focus. Therapy often looks at why you feel the way you do. Coaching focuses on what you want and how to move towards it.
Time. Therapy spends more time with the past. Coaching works mostly in the present and the future.
Who it suits. Therapy suits people working through a mental health condition, trauma or crisis. Coaching suits people who are functioning, often doing well on paper, but feel stuck, flat or not quite themselves.
They aren't competing options. Plenty of people use both, at different times or even side by side. Many of our clients come to coaching after therapy, once they've done the healing work and feel ready for what comes next.
Is life coaching regulated in Australia?
No, and it's worth knowing that. Anyone can call themselves a life coach. So before you start with anyone, ask about their training and experience.
All three of our coaches trained through a coaching program approved by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and each brings their own background on top of that. James has more than ten years of coaching experience and is a Master Practitioner of NLP. Jane is a Biology of Trauma® Professional and Nervous System Coach with a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health. Chloe holds a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health.
How do I know if coaching is right for me?
Coaching could be a good fit if:
You're getting by, but something feels off and you can't quite name it
You keep hitting the same wall, whether that's overthinking, people-pleasing or waiting to feel ready
A career setback, redundancy or big life change has shaken who you thought you were
You've spent years putting everyone else first and no longer know what you want
You're ready to take action, not just talk about it
Therapy is likely the better first step if:
You're living with a mental health condition, or think you might be
You're working through trauma that still feels raw
Day-to-day life feels unmanageable
If you're ever having thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out straight away. In Australia you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, any time, or 000 in an emergency.
We'll always be honest with you. If we think therapy would serve you better right now, we'll say so.
What does coaching look like at Innerform Health?
All of our coaching is private and 1:1, over video. We're based on the Sunshine Coast and work with people across Australia and beyond. Each of us works with a different kind of person at a different moment in life:
James Colliton works with men aged 35 to 55 who've been knocked off course by a career setback, burnout or a big life change, and want to rebuild their confidence from the inside out.
Jane Ooms works with women aged 35 to 55 who have spent so long looking after everyone else that they've lost touch with themselves.
Chloe Louise works with women in their 20s and 30s who are caught in overthinking, comparison and self-doubt.
Everything starts with a Clarity Session. It's an up to 45-minute conversation where we get to the real reason you've been stuck, and what moving forward could look like.
Not sure who's the right fit? Take our 2-minute quiz and we'll match you with the coach most aligned to where you are right now.
Common questions
Can I see a coach and a therapist at the same time? Yes. Many people do. It helps to let both know, so the work supports each other.
Is coaching covered by Medicare? No. Medicare rebates apply to psychology sessions with a GP referral, not to coaching.
How long does coaching take? It's different for everyone. Many people notice a shift in how they think and feel within the first session or two. Lasting change comes from working on it consistently over weeks, which is why we offer an 8-week program.
Does online coaching work as well as in person? For most people, yes. Many find it easier to open up from their own space, and it means you can work with the coach who suits you best, wherever they're based.
Ready to talk?
You don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out. Most people don't. If something in this post sounded familiar, find your coach and let's start with a conversation.
You don't need to have it all figured out.
Most people don't. If something in this post sounded familiar, take our 2-minute quiz and we'll match you with the right coach.
Find your coach