Would You Work Best with a Coach,
Consultant, or Counselor?

By Ruth Anderson

Coaching is a unique and relatively new profession that is
distinct from both traditional consulting services and
psychological counseling. Understanding the differences
among the three will help you to select the best person for your
situation.

Consultants

Traditional consultants are typically hired to solve a specific,
somewhat narrowly defined problem. To do so, they bring with
them a predefined set of tools and ideas that have worked well
for other people in similar situations.

A consultant's work may end with a set of recommendations,
or may continue as long as needed to implement those
recommendations. A consultant should be able to provide you
with up-to-date information on the resources and tools that
apply to your specific problem.

Counselors

Counselors are licensed therapists who are specially trained to
help clients resolve emotional issues that have their roots in the
past but are affecting the person's ability to function in the
present. A licensed therapist is also the only professional who
is qualified to diagnose and treat mental-health conditions.

If you feel depressed or unable to take actions to improve your
present and future, you should contact a counselor or
therapist. Neither coaching nor consulting should be used to
replace or bypass the services of licensed psychological
counselors.

Coaches

Coaches work with people to develop and carry out a process
of positive personal change. Although coaching typically
focuses on a problem, project, or transition of immediate
concern, a coach will encourage you to think in a whole-life
context - i.e. to see the interrelatedness of the parts of your
life, and to ask, "How can I re-design my life in ways that will
support my goals?"

Coaches also consider what is unique about you, and
collaborate with you to choose the tools and ideas that fit you
as an individual. Although the past is valued for the light it can
shed on present-day choices, coaching focuses on taking
action now to improve your present and future.

Combinations of More Than One Approach

If your situation calls for more than one approach, you may be
able to find a person who offers both. For example, a number
of licensed therapists have completed coach training programs
and can offer both counseling and coaching to their clients.
Alternatively, you can work with two people -- a coach and a
therapist -- at the same time; in this case, however, make sure
that both are aware of your choice and that each is comfortable
with the role of the other.

There are also situations in which you might benefit from both
coaching and consulting -- for example, if you are starting a
business, looking for a job, or restructuring your financial plans.
Some coaches have backgrounds that qualify them to give
consulting advice in such situations. Even with these
credentials, however, good coach/consultants will clarify the
difference between each approach, and will alert you when
they are switching from one to the other.

Copyright (c) 2004 Ruth Anderson

About the Author

Ruth Anderson is a personal and professional coach, owner of
VANTAGE POINT Coaching & Consulting, and creator of the unique
"Introduction to Coaching" and "Job Search Tune-Up" programs.
Visit her at http://www.vantagepointcoaching.com or write to ruth@vantagepointcoaching.com
for more information.