There are many ways to support the mental health of your employees—the best path forward depends on the individual and their goals. If someone is feeling stuck and looking for support, it’s helpful to know where to start. We’re here to help you understand two different but effective methods—coaching and counseling—and what each is best for. We spoke with Anthony Brown, CEO of Canopy, to break down the differences between these two offerings.
We’ll start with what’s similar. Both are conversation-based methods that involve working 1:1 with a trained specialist—someone who’s there to listen, guide, and surface helpful resources that can help you with your goals. The largest differences lie in the technique and the types of challenges you’re working through.
Coaching
Coaching focuses on the “here and now”, rather than the things in the past that might have gotten you here. You get a fresh perspective on the challenges you face and someone who will help hold you accountable to the things you’re looking to change. As Brown puts it, “Coaching is connecting you with someone who can help you set goals, create change, and come up with a plan you can put into practice.”
Some examples of things a coach might help you with include:
- Working through a life transition
- Refining your communication style
- Managing workplace stress
- Developing assertiveness
- Building up your self-image
Ultimately, coaches are focused on helping people unlock their personal potential and achieve the results they want in their personal and professional life.
Counseling
If dealing with more acute mental health challenges, counseling may be a better approach. In contrast to coaching, counseling is about looking into the past to understand “the why” behind behaviors or patterns. As Brown explains, “There’s a lot of back and forth between the patient and the counselor. Like, what in the past has led to anxiety or stress? That’s where the conversation is going to focus—getting at the roots of these issues.”
Counseling is considered a better fit for things like:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Grief
Counselors are trained in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health concerns. Their focus is on equipping people with the skills, tools, or treatment they need to reduce symptoms of the problem and move forward.
If you’d like to learn more about counseling, coaching, or how Canopy can help you support the mental health of your people, you can find more details here.