The Risks of Therapists Coaching Without Certification
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified coach, AAMFT clinical supervisor, host of the Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast and founder of Growing Self.
Hey, therapist friends! Coaching sounds exciting and empowering, right? You think, I’m a licensed therapist—of course I can coach! But here’s the truth: there are differences between life coaching and therapy. Stepping into coaching without proper certification isn’t just bending the rules; it’s playing with fire. And trust me, that fire can burn your career, reputation, and even your clients.
In the latest episode of my podcast, Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I tackled this issue head-on. It’s a topic close to my heart because I’ve seen firsthand how therapists, often with the best intentions, can find themselves in tricky—and avoidable—situations.
Let’s unpack this together.
Why Therapists Are Jumping into Coaching
Let’s face it: coaching has a certain allure. It’s forward-focused, goal-oriented, and often less tied up in the heavy emotions and mental health diagnoses that come with therapy. Plus, clients are looking for coaches more than ever. A quick glance at Google Trends will show you that searches for “life coach” or “career coach” are on the rise, while therapy still carries some stigma in certain circles.
For therapists, coaching can feel like a natural progression. It lets you expand your services, reach new clients, and help people in a different way. Who wouldn’t want that? Coaching also promises flexibility. Unlike therapy, which is often restricted by state licensing regulations, coaching can cross borders—literally and figuratively.
But here’s the catch: coaching isn’t just “therapy lite.” It’s an entirely different skill set. The purpose, structure, and tools used in coaching differ significantly from therapy. And if you don’t understand those distinctions, you’re not just risking your clients’ success—you’re risking your own professional reputation. Here’s what you need to know about coaching as a therapist.
The Big Risks of Coaching Without Certification
So, what’s the harm in casually adding “coach” to your title? Quite a lot, actually. Here are the three biggest risks you need to be aware of:
1. Legal and Licensing Nightmares
Imagine you’re working with a coaching client who lives in a state where you’re not licensed as a therapist. If that client decides to file a grievance, claiming you were practicing therapy without a license, you could find yourself in hot water. Without proper certification, you may struggle to prove that your work was strictly coaching—and not therapy in disguise.
State licensing boards don’t play around. They’ll want to see clear evidence that you’re following coaching practices, not therapeutic ones. That means having the right paperwork, marketing materials, and client agreements that explicitly define your role as a coach.
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2. Poor Client Outcomes
Coaching clients come to you with a very different mindset than therapy clients. They’re not here to process trauma or work through a diagnosis. They want actionable steps, clear goals, and measurable progress. If you approach coaching the same way you approach therapy, you risk leaving your clients frustrated and disappointed.
Worse, they might walk away thinking, coaching doesn’t work, when in reality, they just weren’t working with a trained coach.
3. Ethical Violations
Coaching has its own code of ethics and best practices, and these differ from therapy ethical guidelines. For example, dual-role conflicts can be more common in coaching, especially if you’re working with former therapy clients. Without understanding the ethical guidelines of coaching, you could unintentionally cross boundaries, create confusion, or even harm your clients.
My Journey: Why I Chose to Get Certified
When I first considered incorporating coaching into my practice, I thought, I’ve got this—I’m already a therapist. But it didn’t take long to realize that coaching wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed. The more I learned, the more I understood that to truly serve my clients—and protect my practice—I needed formal training.
That’s why I became a Board Certified Coach (BCC) through the Center for Credentialing and Education over a decade ago. This certification is specifically designed for licensed mental health professionals, building on the skills you already have while teaching you the nuances of coaching.
Here’s what certification did for me:
Clarity: I learned how to clearly differentiate between therapy and coaching. I now know when a client needs one versus the other—and how to set boundaries accordingly.
Credibility: My BCC credential signals to clients, colleagues, and licensing boards that I’m qualified to coach. It gives me peace of mind and reassures clients that they’re in good hands.
Confidence: With the right training, I’m able to provide evidence-based coaching that truly helps my clients achieve their goals.
The Difference Between Therapy and Coaching
Think of therapy and coaching as two different vehicles. Therapy is like driving a car—it’s designed to help people navigate the road of life, often addressing past issues, mental health concerns, and emotional healing. Coaching, on the other hand, is like flying a plane. It’s all about forward momentum, helping clients reach their destination faster and more efficiently.
Without the proper training, trying to coach with a therapy mindset is like attempting to fly a plane with only a driver’s license. Sure, you know how to steer, but do you really understand the controls? The differences might seem subtle, but they’re critical to providing the kind of results your clients are looking for.
How to Get Certified
If you’re serious about coaching, certification isn’t just a box to check—it’s a vital step to ensuring you’re offering the best possible service to your clients. Here are two highly respected certification paths to consider:
– Center For Coaching and Credentialling: Tailored for therapists, this certification builds on your existing expertise and provides the specific tools you need to excel as a coach.
– ICF Certification: The International Coaching Federation offers a broader credential for those looking to dive into the coaching world, regardless of their background.
Whichever path you choose, certification will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and credibility to thrive in the coaching space.
Ready To Take the Next Step?
If you’re feeling inspired (or a little overwhelmed), I’ve got something to help you take the next step. My 2-Part Video Training: The Therapist’s Ultimate Guide to Coaching is a free resource that breaks everything down into actionable steps.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- A step-by-step guide to clarifying your professional goals.
- Detailed instructions on how to become a certified coach.
- Education requirements, timelines, and recommended programs.
I hope this helps!
Let’s Stay Connected
Have questions or want to share your own coaching journey? Connect with me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear your thoughts and help you navigate this exciting career path!
Xoxo
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
PS: If you know a colleague who’s been dabbling in coaching—or thinking about making the leap—do them a favor and share this article. It might just be the nudge they need to make an informed, intentional decision. 🌟
Resources:
Harris, E. A., & JD, E. D. (2009). Coaching: A New Frontier Some Questions and Answers.
Duffy, M., & Passmore, J. (2010). Ethics in coaching: An ethical decision making framework for coaching psychologists. International Coaching Psychology Review, 5(2), 140-151.
Aboujaoude, E. (2020). Where life coaching ends and therapy begins: Toward a less confusing treatment landscape. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 15(4), 973-977.
Hart, V., Blattner, J., & Leipsic, S. (2001). Coaching versus therapy: A perspective. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 53(4), 229.
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