Coaching is more flexible. Much of the work may be done over the phone, since the emotional component of therapy that requires in-person meetings is not an issue with coaching. A coach in Boston may work with a client in Denver and never meet in person, yet the coaching can be very effective. The exception to this is when the coach works with children or adolescents, who do require in-person meetings. A very practical consideration for many people is that therapy is covered by health insurance, whereas coaching is not.
Many coaches charge fees that are similar to what therapists charge.
There are instances when it is in the client's best interests for a coach to refer the client for therapy, for a therapist to refer the client for coaching, and for coach and therapist to both work with the client in a collaborative and cooperative manner. As noted above, a coach will refer a client for therapy if the client is experiencing significant emotional problems related to depression, anxiety disorders, issues of abuse or trauma, personality disorders, angry or violent outbursts, rapid mood swings, addictions, and other such problems. Therapy may also be indicated during periods when outside life factors interfere with the client's ability to function and more psychological support is needed, for example during a divorce, separation, death in the family, serious illness, and so on. Regular exercise is known to produce significant benefits. The services of a professional organizer can be very helpful with structuring the work and home environment to reduce clutter and reduce disorganization.