Coaching vs. Mentoring vs. Therapy
What’s the difference and which one do you need?
You know something needs to change.
Maybe you’re feeling stuck in your business or your personal life. Maybe you're overwhelmed, restless, or just deeply aware that you want more… more clarity, more confidence, more alignment.
So you start exploring ways to get support.
And suddenly you're faced with a question that stops you in your tracks:
Do I need a coach, a mentor, or a therapist?
It’s a really common question - and an important one. Because each of these forms of support serves a different purpose. And depending on where you are in your life, one might be a better fit than the others.
Let’s break it down in a way that’s simple, clear, and jargon-free.
Coaching: Clarity, Confidence, and Forward Momentum
Coaching is a collaborative, non-directive process designed to help you move from where you are now to where you want to be… even if you’re not entirely sure what that looks like yet.
It’s future-focused and led by you, not by your coach.
As a coach, I’m not here to tell you what to do. I won’t hand you a step-by-step plan or give you “life hacks” to fix everything. What I will do is listen deeply, ask powerful questions, and create a safe, confidential space where you can hear yourself think — often for the first time in a long time.
It’s about unlocking your own answers, not following someone else’s.
Think of coaching as holding up a mirror - not to point out your flaws, but to help you see your strengths, your patterns, and your possibilities more clearly.
Many of my clients are juggling a lot: running businesses, raising families, navigating big transitions or identity shifts. They often say:
“I’m fine on paper - but the ink is running low”
“I keep telling myself I’ll do xyz when life calms down…but it never does”
“I know something needs to change, but I don’t have the headspace to figure out what.”
That’s coaching territory.
Mentoring: Learn from Someone Who’s Been There
Mentoring is more about guidance and advice. It’s when someone with more experience in a particular area shares their insights to help you grow.
A mentor might:
Show you how they built a successful business
Help you navigate an industry or career path
Offer tools, strategies, and shortcuts they’ve learned over time
It’s often less about deep reflection and more about learning from their journey.
Mentoring can be incredibly useful if you have a clear goal and want someone to help you get there by sharing what worked for them. But keep in mind: it’s a one-way relationship - they’re the expert, and you’re learning from them.
“I want to grow my business the way she did.”
“I need someone to show me the ropes.”
If that sounds like you, mentoring could be a great option.
Therapy: Healing from the Inside Out
Therapy (or counselling) focuses on emotional healing, mental health, and exploring the past to understand the present.
A good therapist will help you work through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and deep-rooted patterns that might be affecting your daily life or relationships. It’s often a longer-term process, and it can be life-changing.
Where coaching asks “Where do you want to go?”, therapy often starts with “What’s hurting, and why?”
It’s especially helpful if you’re experiencing:
Persistent low mood or anxiety
Unprocessed trauma
Difficulty coping with everyday life
Relationship challenges rooted in childhood or past experiences
“I feel like I’m falling apart.”
“I’ve been carrying this for a long time, and I need help to understand it.”
If this sounds familiar, therapy might be the best place to begin; I can signpost you to some trusted professionals.
So… Which One Do You Need?
Here’s a quick way to think about it:
| You Might Need… | If You Feel… |
|---|---|
| A Coach | Stuck, unclear, or at a crossroads; ready to take action but wanting clarity first |
| A Mentor | Focused on mastering a skill or strategy and keen to learn from someone who’s done it before |
| A Therapist | Emotionally overwhelmed, dealing with past trauma or persistent mental-health challenges |
And the truth? You might need more than one kind of support over time.
Many of my clients have been to therapy in the past and now feel ready to look forward. Others have worked with mentors but want to figure out what they really want - not just what they think they should do.
You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
If you're not sure what kind of support you need, that’s completely okay. You don't have to have all the answers. That’s literally the point.
I offer a free, no-pressure discovery call to explore whether coaching feels like the right fit for you… and if it doesn’t, I’ll point you in the direction of someone who might be better suited.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about ticking boxes or picking the “right” label.
It’s about getting the support that helps you feel more like you again.
Ready to explore what coaching could do for you?
Book your free discovery call here.