| Views both parties as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. | More apt to view clients from a medical model. |
| Does not diagnose or treat. | Diagnoses and treats. |
| Trained to work with functioning clients. | Trained to work with major mental illness. |
| Works with clients that are able to form an alliance and have common goals. | Works with clients with entrenched problems. |
| Co-Active® model. | Therapist is the “expert.” |
| Coach and clients on a peer basis. | Hierarchical difference between therapist and clients. |
| Alliance designed by coach and client together. | Treatment plan largely designed by therapist. |
| Focus on evolving and manifesting potential. | Focus on healing and understanding. |
| Emphasis on present and future. | Emphasis on past and present. |
| Action and being oriented. | Insight oriented. |
| Solution oriented. | Problem oriented. |
| Explores actions and behaviors that manifest high self-esteem. | Explores genesis of behaviors that create low self-esteem. |
| Regards and coaches negative self-beliefs as Saboteurs (temporary obstacles). | Analyzes and treats origins and historical roots of negative self-beliefs. |
| Coach and client ask: “What’s next/what now?” | Therapist and client ask: “Why and from where?” |
| Works mainly with external issues. | Works mainly with internal issues. |
| Discourages transference as inappropriate. | Encourages transference as a therapy tool. |
| Accountability and “homework” between sessions held as important. | Accountability less commonly expected. |
| Contact between sessions for accountability and “wins” expected. | Contact between sessions for crises and difficulties only. |
| Uses coaching skills. | Uses therapy techniques. |
