It is sometimes confusing when you try to figure out the differences between the work of a therapist, a consultant and a coach. The main difference is from the role they maintain in the relationship, for it influences the whole process. Let’s look at that more closely.
A therapist:
- works with his patient’s past and trauma.
- maintains a strict doctor-patient relationship and an expert role, where he provides the answer.
- considers emotions as symptoms, hints about something wrong.
- diagnoses and provides professional expertise to give clients a way to heal.
A consultant:
- works mostly with problems and provides information (expertise, strategy, structure, programs and methodologies) to solve problems.
- maintains an expert role, focused on problems and is the one who provides answers.
- does not address or deals with emotions; they are just useful information.
- stands back, evaluates a situation, and then tells his client what the problem is and how to fix it.
A coach:
- works mainly with his client’s present and looks for ways to guide him towards a desired future.
- maintains a co-creative and egalitarian relationship, meaning that the coach helps his client to find his own answers.
- recognizes emotions as natural and welcomes them as normal.
- stands with his client while he helps him to identify challenges. He works then with his client to change challenges into victories and gives all credits to his client in reaching the objectives.
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