Life coach vs therapist: Which one do you need?

Across Australia, more people are reaching out for support with their mental wellbeing, life direction, and personal growth. Whether you're navigating a career change, dealing with stress, or simply wanting to feel more confident in your everyday decisions, having the right guidance can make all the difference.

From therapists and counsellors to life coaches and mindset mentors, there's no shortage of professionals offering help. But the lines can get blurry, especially when their roles seem to overlap.

So how do you know who to turn to? What exactly sets a life coach apart from a therapist? And which one is best suited to your needs right now?

This guide unpacks their key differences, so you can make an informed, confident decision about your next step.

What’s the difference between a life coach and a therapist?

Life coaches and therapists both support personal development but their roles, training, and scope of practice are fundamentally different.

At its core, therapy is designed to help people heal from emotional distress, mental health issues, or unresolved trauma. It often involves looking into past experiences, understanding thought patterns, and building emotional resilience. In contrast, life coaching is more forward-focused. It’s about setting goals, finding motivation, and creating actionable steps to improve one’s personal or professional life.

Understanding the distinctions can help you choose the right kind of support. Here's a simple breakdown:

Some Australians find value in working with both, using therapy to process emotions, and coaching to move forward with fresh direction. The key is to choose someone whose scope of practice aligns with your current needs.

For coaching ethics and global standards, you can explore the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

What life coaches help with

Life coaching is all about helping you move from where you are now to where you want to be. It’s future-focused, practical, and often highly personalised to your goals, lifestyle, and mindset.

Unlike therapy, life coaching doesn’t explore deep emotional wounds or diagnose mental health conditions. Instead, it centres on helping you identify what you want, break through limiting beliefs, and take real steps towards change.

People often work with a life coach to:

• Navigate career transitions or find purpose in their work

• Build self-confidence and shift unhelpful thinking patterns

• Improve productivity, focus, or decision-making

• Create and maintain healthy habits and routines

• Feel more motivated and in control of their personal growth

• Adjust to life changes such as moving, parenthood, or relationship shifts

Sessions are usually structured around setting measurable goals and tracking progress. A coach might use visualisation exercises, weekly action plans, or accountability check-ins to help keep you moving forward.

While anyone can call themselves a life coach in Australia (since the industry is not regulated), many choose to complete formal training. Programs vary in quality, so it’s helpful to check if your coach is affiliated with a recognised organisation, such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or local training providers like The Coaching Institute or Mind Body Education Australia.

Ultimately, a good life coach is someone who can help you gain clarity, stay focused, and take purposeful action without diving into clinical or therapeutic territory.

What therapists are trained to do

Therapists are qualified mental health professionals who specialise in helping people manage emotional distress, mental illness, and behavioural challenges. In Australia, therapists may be psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, or social workers—each with their own scope of training and expertise.

Unlike life coaches, therapists are equipped to support clients dealing with conditions such as:

• Anxiety and panic disorders

• Depression and low mood

• Trauma and post-traumatic stress

• Grief and loss

• Relationship breakdowns or family conflict

• Low self-esteem or chronic stress

Their work is grounded in evidence-based approaches, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

• Mindfulness-based therapies

Therapists are bound by strict codes of ethics, confidentiality, and clinical responsibility. Many are registered with national organisations such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

If you’re eligible, you may also be able to access sessions under the Better Access initiative, a government-supported mental health care scheme that provides Medicare rebates for up to 10 therapy sessions per year when referred by a GP.

Whether you’re working through past experiences or seeking strategies for current challenges, a qualified therapist can help you build emotional awareness, develop healthy coping skills, and work toward long-term wellbeing.

If you're curious to learn more, explore a range of helpful reads on life coaching in Australia to dive deeper into what coaches can offer.

Which one should you see?

Choosing between a life coach and a therapist depends on what kind of support you’re looking for. Some people need help moving forward, while others need space to process and heal. Both paths are valid—it’s just about finding what fits your current situation.

You might benefit from a life coach if you want to:

• Set clear goals but feel unsure where to start

• Build momentum in your personal or professional life

• Navigate a life change with external accountability and encouragement

You might need a therapist if you are:

• Dealing with persistent stress, sadness, or anxiety

• Struggling with trauma, grief, or relationship breakdowns

• Wanting to explore emotional patterns, triggers, or behaviours more deeply

Still unsure? You don’t have to decide alone.

Need help making the right choice? Browse qualified life coaches and mental health professionals on Natural Therapy Pages to find someone who fits your needs and goals.

Can you work with both?

Absolutely. Many Australians choose to work with both a therapist and a life coach, especially during major life changes or periods of recovery. While each plays a different role, they can complement one another when used mindfully.

A combined approach may be helpful if you:

• Want to heal from emotional wounds while setting new life goals

• Are recovering from a breakup, job loss, or significant life event

• Need both mental health support and practical tools to move forward

• Have completed therapy and are ready to focus on personal growth

• Prefer structure and accountability alongside emotional insight

The key is to maintain clear boundaries between the two roles. Therapists are trained to work with mental health conditions, while life coaches focus on mindset, performance, and future goals.

If you’re considering both, it’s a good idea to let each professional know. That way, your support systems can work together to help you feel more grounded and empowered.

Thinking about pursuing life coaching yourself? Read this guide on becoming a life coach to understand the path, training options, and what it takes to support others professionally.

How to choose the right professional

Whether you're seeking emotional healing or personal growth, choosing the right support starts with knowing what to look for. Each profession has its own strengths, so finding the right fit depends on your needs, preferences, and current situation.

Here’s a quick guide to help you compare:

Doing a bit of research and asking the right questions can go a long way. If you're not sure where to begin, browsing trusted directories can help narrow your search.

Wrapping up

Life coaching and therapy both have their place and one isn’t better than the other. They simply offer different types of support, depending on where you are and what you need.

If you’re working through emotional pain, therapy may provide the space and tools to heal. If you’re feeling stuck or ready to move forward, coaching could help you find clarity and direction.

The most important part is choosing someone you trust; someone who listens, understands your goals, and supports your growth.

Whether you’re healing, rebuilding, or redefining your next chapter, know this: you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Help is available and it starts with the right guide by your side.