Fresh off her second Camino walk, Lisa tackles the question everyone’s thinking but not asking: What’s the actual difference between coaching and therapy? And why do successful, exhausted people often find therapy keeps them stuck while coaching propels them forward?
Here’s the real difference:
Therapy is past-focused—diving into what happened to you, processing trauma, gaining insights about how things impacted you. You talk about the problem, get some insight, then leave.
Coaching is future-focused—where are you now, where do you want to go, and what needs to shift to get you there? It’s about identity shifts, accountability, and taking action.
Lisa’s approach is different because she coaches to your context, not your content. She’s not listening to your circumstances—she’s hearing the patterns underneath your words. Because the problem you think you have? It’s usually not the problem you actually have.
Think about money. Instead of talking about your financial struggles, Lisa asks: “If money were a person, what kind of relationship would you have with them?” Then you step into the identity of someone who treats money with reverence. That’s how she became debt-free—identity shift first, results follow.
You might need therapy if: You’re dealing with clinical depression, trauma, or severe anxiety.
You’re ready for coaching if: You feel stuck despite having it all, keep repeating the same patterns, have done years of therapy but aren’t gaining momentum, or you’re ready to stop being a victim of your circumstances and start taking responsibility for your future.
The bottom line: Coaching isn’t something you need—it’s something you want because you love what it brings to your life and how it helps you expand into more.
Ready to explore what’s possible?
Lisa has openings this summer and fall, plus Reclamation (her signature program) is open for registration.Â
- To learn about Lisa’s transformative “Reclamation” program, visit LisaCarpenter.ca/Reclamation
- To learn about working 1:1 with Lisa click here
If this episode resonated, share it with someone who might be ready to stop being a victim of their circumstances and start becoming the architect of their life.
