Somatic Coaching VS Mental Health Counseling

If you’re seeking support for emotional healing, personal growth, or navigating a life transition, you’ve probably come across both coaching and mental health counseling—and wondered: What’s the difference? Which one is right for me?

While these two approaches may sometimes overlap in how they help people feel more empowered and connected to themselves, they come from different backgrounds, training, and goals. Understanding their unique roles can help you choose the right kind of support for where you are right now.

What Is Coaching?

Coaching is a collaborative, forward-focused process designed to support growth, clarity, and embodiment. In the context of somatic coaching, this means working with the body and nervous system to help clients reconnect with themselves, shift patterns, and build tools for resilience.

Coaching focuses on:

  • Present-moment awareness

  • Body-based practices and tools

  • Goal setting, integration, and personal insight

  • Nervous system education and emotional regulation

  • Supporting life transitions, burnout, disconnection, and stuckness

Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions, and coaching is not a replacement for therapy—but it can be a powerful complement, especially for those who feel ready to move forward from talk therapy or want to include the body in their healing process.

What Is Counseling (or Therapy)?

Counseling (also called psychotherapy) is provided by a licensed mental health professional and focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, processing trauma, and offering clinical support for emotional distress.

Therapy is often helpful for:

  • Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health concerns

  • Deep trauma processing

  • Relationship challenges or family dynamics

  • Crisis support and long-term emotional patterns

  • Creating safety and understanding around painful life experiences

Therapists are trained to work with emotional dysregulation, past trauma, and mental health disorders using evidence-based methods. This is a clinical service protected under licensing laws.

Key Differences at a Glance

AspectCoachingCounseling/TherapyFocusGrowth, embodiment, goals, present & futureMental health, healing the past, diagnosisApproachCollaborative, non-clinical, body-basedClinical, therapeutic, often talk-focusedTrainingCertified (not licensed), specialized in tools and transformationLicensed professionals with formal mental health trainingWorks Well ForStress, burnout, disconnection, life transitions, body awarenessMental health conditions, trauma processing, emotional crises

What I Offer as a Somatic Coach

As a somatic coach and trauma-informed bodyworker, I do not offer mental health counseling or diagnosis. My work supports clients who are ready to reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and move through life with greater presence, empowerment, and clarity.

Some clients work with me alongside a therapist, while others come when they’re looking for a different kind of support—one that includes both body and mind, and focuses on what’s possible from here.

Still Unsure?

If you're not sure which path is right for you, that’s okay. You’re not alone. I'm happy to answer any questions or refer you to a therapist if needed—my priority is that you find the support that truly serves you.