Why Therapy Clients Are Hiring Coaches and Leaving Therapy

The Therapist’s Dilemma: Competence, Ethics, and Relevance

Here’s the tough love: if you’re not actively treating a mental health disorder, and you’re still relying solely on traditional therapy tools for high-functioning, growth-oriented clients… you’re probably not meeting their needs.

And ethically? That matters.

Our code of ethics requires not just non-malfeasance (do no harm), but also beneficence — actually helping our clients improve their lives. If they’re stuck, unchanging, or seeking support elsewhere, we have to ask: are we doing our job?

And even more importantly — are we equipped to?

Coaching Psychology: The Missing Link

Let’s talk solutions. No, I’m not suggesting that you become one of those cringe-y “coaches” with zero training or certification and a Canva addiction.

What I am saying is this:

Therapists who learn evidence-based coaching psychology become unstoppable forces of transformation.

When you combine your clinical insight with coaching tools like:

• Values-based goal setting
• Behavioral design
• Accountability systems
• Outcome-focused strategies

…you’re not just helping clients understand themselves — you’re helping them become who they want to be.

This is the essence of my Coaching Certification for Therapists program, and why I created it. Because we need more therapists who can confidently straddle both worlds — ethically, skillfully, and powerfully.

Want to Go Deeper?

If this topic is lighting you up (or making you a little uncomfortable), I highly recommend you listen to the full podcast episode “Why Therapy Clients Are Hiring Coaches” on Love, Happiness & Success for Therapists at the top of this page or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

I also encourage you to check out some of my other podcast episodes:

These are the tools you didn’t get in grad school — but that today’s therapy clients are already expecting you to have.

Let’s Keep This Conversation Going

If reading this gave you a little jolt (in a good way), I want to invite you into something more.

Check out my registered credential training Think You’re Coaching? 8 Red Flags You’re Actually Doing Therapy. If you’re offering coaching without formal training, you could be crossing ethical lines without realizing it. This training gives you the clarity, structure, and skills to stay in bounds—and earn 1 NBCC CEU credit. Whether you’re looking to expand your skills, start working with non-clinical clients, or just want to feel more effective in this new landscape — this training is here to support you. It’s ethical. It’s research-backed. And it’s designed by a therapist, for therapists.

And hey — let’s connect on LinkedIn, too. I’m regularly hosting registered credential training sessions and sharing my latest findings dedicated to helping us therapists create growth, happiness and success in our lives. I love connecting with thoughtful professionals like you. Come say hi, share your thoughts, and let me know what resonated with you.

Xoxo
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

P.S. If you found this helpful, think of another therapist who might need to hear it too. Maybe someone quietly wondering why their clients are drifting away, or feeling unsure about how to pivot in their career. Forward this article, or share it in your favorite therapist Facebook group, peer supervision circle, or clinical Slack. You never know who needs this nudge.

Resources:

Lai, Y. L., & McDowall, A. (2014). A systematic review (SR) of coaching psychology: Focusing on the attributes of effective coaching psychologists. International Coaching Psychology Review, 9(2), 118-134. https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/51154/

Hart, V., Blattner, J., & Leipsic, S. (2001). Coaching versus therapy: A perspective. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 53(4), 229. https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2002-00097-002.html

Kuncewicz, D., Lachowicz-Tabaczek, K., & Załuski, J. (2014). Why insight in psychotherapy does not always lead to behaviour change. Polish Journal of Applied Psychology, 12(2), 99-122. http://archive.sciendo.com/PJAP/pjap.2014.12.issue-2/pjap-2015-0011/pjap-2015-0011.pdf