Coaching - What It Is and What It Isn’t

Understanding the difference between coaching, therapy, counseling, consulting, and mentoring

The word coach gets used a lot these days, and not always accurately. Coaching is a powerful and distinct modality, but it’s often misunderstood or confused with therapy, consulting, counseling, or mentoring. Understanding the difference can help you choose the kind of support that truly fits what you’re seeking.

So let’s make it clear. If you’re a high-achieving woman navigating life, leadership, and everything in between, you deserve support that meets you where you are and moves you forward. Coaching offers something unique, and understanding what it is (and isn’t) can help you decide if it’s the right fit.

Let’s Start with the ICF Definition of Coaching

The International Coaching Federation (ICF), the global gold standard for professional coaching, defines coaching as:

“Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

In other words, coaching is a partnership. One that’s built on presence, trust, and forward movement. As a coach, I’m not here to fix you or give you all the answers. I’m here to help you cut through the noise, get clear on what’s important to you, and create purposeful, sustainable change.

What Coaching Is

At its core, coaching is:

• Future-focused – It looks forward, not backward. It concentrates on where you want to be and how to get there.

• Client-led – You set the agenda. The coach supports your direction.

• Action-oriented – It emphasizes taking concrete steps toward your objectives.

• Empowering – Coaching helps you access and trust your wisdom. It builds confidence.

• Accountable – Coaching helps you stay on track and committed to your vision and goals.

Especially for high-achieving women, coaching can be a powerful space to pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters beyond the to-do lists, titles, and expectations.

What Coaching Is Not

Understanding what coaching isn’t is just as important. So, here’s how it differs from other helping professions:

1. Coaching is not Therapy

Therapy focuses on the past. It helps patients process pain and trauma, and it’s essential for healing emotional wounds and managing mental health. Therapists are trained to diagnose and treat psychological conditions.

Coaching is future-focused. Coaches don’t analyze the past or diagnose. Instead, we work from the present moment forward, building awareness, designing intentional goals, and supporting growth.

2. Coaching is not Counseling

Counseling can offer advice, coping tools, and emotional support for specific challenges. It often deals with “why” things are happening.



Coaching focuses on the “what now?” What do you truly want? What’s in the way? What are you willing to do about it?

3. Coaching is not Consulting

Consultants bring subject-matter expertise and offer solutions. You hire them for answers.



Coaches don’t come in with the answers; they come with the questions. The ones that help you uncover your next steps with clarity and confidence.

3. Coaching is not Mentoring

Mentors share wisdom from their own journey. They offer guidance based on experience.



Coaches don’t need to have lived your life or walked your exact path. The job of a coach isn’t to give advice; it’s to create space for your insights to emerge and support you in turning those insights into action and lasting change.

Why These Distinctions Matter

These distinctions matter because you deserve the kind of support that fits where you are and where you want to go.

Coaching is a powerful partnership that helps you clarify your goals, overcome internal barriers, and take aligned action. It’s future-focused, rooted in accountability, and designed to empower — not advise, diagnose, or direct. Unlike therapy, counseling, consulting, or mentoring, coaching

creates space for self-discovery, growth, and meaningful transformation.

If you're craving clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of fulfillment, coaching can help you reconnect with yourself and move forward with intention. If you're seeking healing, therapy may be the right fit. If you need expert advice or direction, a consultant or mentor might be more helpful.

The power of coaching lies in its ability to meet you where you are—and support you as you enter the next chapter of your life and grow into the next version of yourself.

Here’s A Quick Recap

Curious About Coaching?

If you’re wondering whether coaching is right for you, feel free to connect for a complimentary coaching call. It’s a no-pressure, no-obligation space to explore what coaching could look like in your life, and whether we’d be a good fit to work together.

By your side,

Arcenia Olson

Life & Leadership Coach | Speaker