What therapy is
Psychotherapy is licensed health care. It is provided by a clinician licensed by the state, such as an LMFT, and it is designed to assess and treat emotional, mental and relational difficulties: depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, painful patterns and more. Therapy can go deep into history, emotion and the body, and it is governed by professional ethics, health-privacy law and licensing rules.
Because it is clinical care, therapy with me is available only to people who are physically located in California, where I am licensed. Out-of-network reimbursement through a superbill may be possible, depending on your plan.
What coaching is
Coaching is a forward-looking partnership focused on goals, growth and positive change. It is not therapy and is not licensed mental-health treatment. It is not a substitute for clinical care. My Positive Life Coaching is for people who want their attention on the goals ahead: work, creative life, relationships, purpose and habits.
Because coaching is not clinical care, my coaching is open to people who live outside California. Coaching is not billed to insurance, and no superbill is issued.
When therapy is the better fit
Therapy is likely to suit you better if:
- You are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief or other emotional pain
- Your difficulties are affecting your sleep, work, relationships or health
- You want to understand and change deep patterns that keep repeating
- You are in California and want licensed care
When coaching may be the better fit
Coaching may suit you better if:
- You are generally doing well and want to move toward specific goals
- You prefer more emphasis on positive goals than on problems
- You live outside California
- You want to work on direction, creativity, purpose or habits rather than clinical concerns
Why the difference matters
Choosing the right service protects you. If you are dealing with a clinical concern, you deserve clinical care, with the training, safeguards and privacy protections that come with it. Coaching cannot replace that. Equally, not every wish for change is a clinical problem, and coaching can be a good way to work on the life you want.
Therapy and coaching also have different rules about privacy and records. Therapy is protected by health-privacy law and professional confidentiality, with the ordinary legal exceptions. Coaching is not health care, so those specific laws do not apply to it in the same way.
Can I do both?
I keep the two clearly separate, with different agreements and different rules, so that you always know which one you are receiving. If you are unsure which you need, we can talk it through in a free consult, and I will tell you honestly which I think fits.
Costs
Therapy sessions are $250 for 50 minutes individually and $325 for couples. Positive Life Coaching is $250 per session. The first 20-minute consult is free for either.
This article is general information, not therapy or medical advice, and reading it does not create a therapist-client relationship. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.