Therapy vs Coaching vs Hypnotherapy: What You Really Need

Have you ever found yourself wondering: 

"Do I need therapy? Or coaching? Or maybe something else entirely?" 

You're not alone. 

In my work (and in my own personal journey), this question comes up all the time. When you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready for change, knowing where to turn can feel confusing and intimidating. What actually helps? What's going to move the needle? What kind of support is right for this moment in your life? 

Let’s break it down. 

Therapy: Healing the Past + Navigating the Present 

Therapy is often the best fit when you're working through unresolved emotions, trauma, mental health challenges, or big transitions. It's about making sense of your inner world, healing old wounds, and learning to cope with present-moment realities. 

Therapy is especially helpful when you're experiencing: 

• Anxiety or depression 

• Grief, trauma, or emotional dysregulation 

• Relationship challenges or attachment wounds 

• A desire to explore childhood experiences or family dynamics 

• Needing support to navigate life and stabilize your mental health

Example: You find yourself constantly overwhelmed at work, but no productivity hack seems to help. A therapist might help you uncover how perfectionism, fear of failure, or old beliefs about worthiness are fueling the burnout. 

Therapists are licensed professionals who are trained to work with clinical issues. They’re the go-to when there are symptoms to diagnose and deeper emotional patterns to unpack. 

Coaching: Clarity, Accountability, and Forward Momentum 

Coaching is ideal when you're looking to move forward. You might not need deep emotional healing, but you do want clarity, confidence, and a path forward. Coaches help you set goals, stay accountable, and make consistent progress. 

Coaching is especially helpful when you're: 

• Working toward a business, career, or personal goal 

• Feeling stuck or directionless, but not emotionally unwell 

• Wanting to build habits, confidence, or visibility 

• Ready to stretch into a new identity or challenge 

Example: You're a business owner who wants to grow your brand but keep procrastinating on visibility. A coach helps you create a clear plan, identify resistance, and build systems to move forward. 

Unlike therapy, coaching doesn't focus on healing the past. It's future-focused and practical. Coaches won't treat mental health conditions, but they will help you get unstuck and take action. 

Hypnotherapy: Shifting the Subconscious Patterns That Block You 

Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind - the internal programming that drives your habits, beliefs, and emotional reactions. It’s powerful when you know what you want, but something deeper, that you may not be able to put your finger on, keeps getting in the way. 

Hypnotherapy is especially helpful when you're experiencing: 

• Persistent habits or blocks you can’t seem to change 

• Emotional reactivity or self-sabotage 

• Confidence issues that don’t match your outer reality 

• A desire to reconnect with your inner truth, intuition, or purpose 

Example: You’re a high-performing professional who panics every time you speak up in meetings. You know it’s irrational, but it feels like your body is hijacking your brain. Hypnotherapy helps you uncover and rewire the root of the fear. 

It’s not about clucking like a chicken. It’s about gently guiding the nervous system into a state of relaxed focus so you can access the beliefs and emotional patterns that live below the surface. 

Hypnotherapy doesn’t replace therapy or coaching - but it can dramatically accelerate the work by shifting what’s been locked in place unconsciously. 

How does it work? Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and focused attention to quiet the critical, analytical part of the mind. When you're in this receptive theta brain wave state, you can access the subconscious directly - which is where long-standing beliefs, emotional associations, and protective patterns live. By working at this level, we can reframe or release what no longer serves you, and install new patterns that align with who you're becoming. A side benefit - all my sessions are done via Zoom so you can stay in the comfort of your own home surrounded by your favorite comforts.

Please note: Hypnotherapy is a powerful complement to personal growth, but it's not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment. It doesn’t provide clinical care or diagnose mental health conditions. If you're navigating significant emotional or psychological distress, working with a licensed therapist or healthcare provider is the safest place to begin. Hypnotherapy works beautifully alongside these supports, helping you shift patterns at the subconscious level while honoring your full healing journey.

What If You Need More Than One? 

Many people benefit most from a combination of these tools. You might work with a therapist to process grief, a coach to rebuild your confidence, and a hypnotherapist to clear the subconscious patterns that hold you back. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The goal is never perfection. It’s alignment. It’s choosing the right kind of support for the season you’re in. 

TL;DR – How to Choose: 

• Need to heal or understand the past? Therapy. 

• Need clarity or direction for the future? Coaching. 

• Keep hitting the same wall over and over? Hypnotherapy. 

Want transformation on all levels? Blend the support. 

You deserve support that actually fits you. And if you're not sure what that looks like, I’m happy to help you explore it. 

There is no shame in asking for help. Only wisdom. 

You're allowed to grow in a way that feels safe, effective, and aligned. 
 
Curious about how hypnotherapy might fit into your growth work? You can learn more or book a free consult through the link in my profile.