--- title: "Therapy or Coaching: Which One Fits? | Brian Lewis" url: https://respondersherpa.com/resources/therapy-or-coaching description: "Therapy and coaching serve different needs. Compare licensed counseling with non-clinical coaching, and use a free 15-minute consult to decide." lang: en --- Resources (https://respondersherpa.com/resources) · Choosing Your Path # Therapy or coaching: which one fits? You might be carrying something clinical: drinking that has stopped being optional, a call that will not replay quietly, trauma that has shaped years of your life. Or you might not be in distress at all. You might be leading a business, running a crew, or trying to lead well at home, and want structured help thinking it through. Both are legitimate reasons to reach out, and this practice offers a path for each. But they are not the same thing, and knowing the difference helps you choose the right door the first time. ## What counseling is here Counseling is licensed clinical care. Brian Lewis, LCMHC (Utah license #5497978-6009), provides individual therapy for alcohol and drug addiction, PTSD, trauma, complex trauma, and relationship strain, for first responders, healthcare workers, and their families. You can read more on the counseling page (https://respondersherpa.com/counseling). The clinical work draws on EMDR, ART, and solution-focused approaches. EMDR and ART work with the memories that stay stuck; solution-focused work builds on what is already working and moves toward concrete next steps. You can see how they compare in EMDR vs. ART (https://respondersherpa.com/resources/emdr-vs-art) and read about solution-focused therapy (https://respondersherpa.com/solution-focused-therapy). The practical details are simple. Individual sessions only. $150 for a 50-minute session, paid at the appointment, with a superbill on request if you want to pursue possible out-of-network reimbursement — how that works is explained here (https://respondersherpa.com/resources/paying-for-therapy). Sessions happen in person in Midvale or by secure telehealth anywhere in Utah, because Brian is licensed in Utah only. ## What coaching is — and is not Coaching is different in kind, not just in topic. The coaching work (https://respondersherpa.com/coaching) is non-clinical. It is not therapy, and it is not licensed mental health care. It does not diagnose, and it does not treat. The flagship program is MIND Sherpa 8 (https://respondersherpa.com/leadership-coaching), an eight-week coaching course for business owners and leaders who want stronger leadership at work and at home. It uses emotional intelligence and behavioral psychology for decisions, communication, and healthier habits, with goal-driven modules, consistent check-ins, and honest feedback. Formats can include one-on-one, group, intensives, workshops, and an online course. Two things matter when you consider it. First, because coaching is non-clinical, it is available beyond Utah — you do not need to be physically in the state. Second, program details and investment are shared during a consultation, and results vary. There is no promised outcome attached to the program, and you should be wary of anyone who promises one. ## What consulting covers There is a third door, and it is for a different audience entirely. Consulting for therapists (https://respondersherpa.com/consulting-for-therapists) is for licensed therapists and counselors building a practice that lasts: niche and positioning, sustainable caseload design, pricing and superbill workflow, marketing that keeps your voice, referral relationships, and boundaries that protect the work. Like coaching, consulting is non-clinical. It is professional guidance for professionals, not care for distress. An engagement starts with a conversation, and you can begin that through the contact page (https://respondersherpa.com/contact). ## Who each path is for Therapy fits when the concern is clinical or the weight is real: addiction, PTSD, trauma, complex trauma, the residue of calls and shifts, relationship strain that follows the job home, the numbness that creeps in after years of absorbing other people's worst days. If what you are carrying affects your sleep, your drinking, your marriage, your patience, or your sense of who you are, that is therapy territory. Coaching fits when you are functioning but want to function better: a leader who wants sharper decisions and steadier communication, a business owner whose habits at work are quietly costing them at home. The work is forward-looking and structured. It is not a substitute for treatment, and it is not designed to process trauma. Consulting fits clinicians who want to build something sustainable. If you are a therapist reading this rather than a responder, that page is written for you. The lines can overlap. You might want coaching for leadership while also needing a place to set down what the job has cost. The right answer can be both, in the right order, and the consultation is where that gets sorted out. ## Why a clinical concern belongs in therapy It can be tempting to route pain toward something that sounds lighter. Coaching language — goals, habits, performance — can feel safer than therapy language, especially in cultures where asking for help carries a cost. But a clinical concern addressed with a non-clinical tool is a mismatch, and it is one you would pay for twice. Addiction, trauma symptoms, and complex trauma need licensed clinical care. That is what the training in EMDR and ART exists for, and it is why the therapy work is deliberately separate from the coaching work. If trauma is part of what you are carrying, coaching alone will not process it. If you are unsure which side of the line you are on, that uncertainty is itself a good reason to take the free consultation rather than guess. Naming what is happening is easier with someone whose job is to tell the difference. ## How the free 15-minute consult helps you choose The consultation is 15 minutes, it is free, and it exists for exactly this decision. You describe what is going on — in your own words, no forms first — and Brian will tell you plainly whether therapy, coaching, or a conversation first fits best. If therapy is the fit, you can book from there (https://respondersherpa.com/booking). If coaching is the fit, the consultation is where program details and investment get shared. You are not committing to anything by asking. The worst outcome of the call is that you learn the right door is the other one, which is a better outcome than spending months in the wrong room. If you would rather start in writing, send a message (https://respondersherpa.com/contact). And if you are in crisis right now, call or text 988, or call 911 — a consult call is not an emergency line. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. FAQ ## Common questions. Is coaching the same as therapy? + No. Coaching is non-clinical and is not therapy or licensed mental health care. Therapy here is licensed clinical care for addiction, PTSD, trauma, and related concerns. Can coaching and therapy happen at the same time? + They can, because they do different work. If you also want therapy, you can start with the free 15-minute consultation and book from there. Where is coaching available? + Coaching is non-clinical and available beyond Utah. Therapy is provided in person in Midvale or by telehealth anywhere in Utah. How do I choose between them? + Start with the free 15-minute consultation. Describe what you are dealing with, and Brian will tell you plainly whether therapy, coaching, or a conversation first fits best. What does therapy cost? + Individual therapy is $150 for a 50-minute session, paid at the appointment, with a superbill available on request. Related reading - What Your First Therapy Session Looks Like → (https://respondersherpa.com/resources/first-therapy-session) From the free consultation and intake through goals, privacy, treatment choices, cadence, and fees. - Therapy Costs and Superbills → (https://respondersherpa.com/resources/paying-for-therapy) The session fee, self-pay process, superbills, possible out-of-network benefits, and Good Faith Estimates. - Peer Support, EAP, or Private Therapy? → (https://respondersherpa.com/resources/peer-support-eap-or-therapy) How peer support, employee assistance programs, and independent private therapy differ in purpose, privacy, and access. - When a Call Won't Let Go → (https://respondersherpa.com/resources/when-a-call-wont-let-go) Common reactions after a hard call, what may help in the first days, and when therapy may be worth considering. Still have questions? Ask them on a free 15-minute call. Book a free 15-minute call: https://respondersherpa.com/booking (801) 554-6372: +18015546372 Brian Lewis, LCMHC · Midvale, Utah · Telehealth across Utah · Utah LCMHC license #5497978-6009 ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#website", "name": "Brian Lewis, LCMHC", "url": "https://respondersherpa.com", "publisher": { "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#practice" }, "inLanguage": "en-US" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "MedicalBusiness", "ProfessionalService" ], "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#practice", "name": "Brian Lewis, LCMHC", "url": "https://respondersherpa.com", "image": "https://respondersherpa.com/__l5e/assets-v1/d03407aa-3688-433f-b886-6fea75aee05b/og-hero-ridge.jpg", "logo": "https://respondersherpa.com/__l5e/assets-v1/d03407aa-3688-433f-b886-6fea75aee05b/og-hero-ridge.jpg", "telephone": "+1-801-554-6372", "priceRange": "$150", "medicalSpecialty": "Psychiatric", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Midvale", "addressRegion": "UT", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 40.6111, "longitude": -111.8994 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "State", "name": "Utah" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Midvale" } ], "knowsAbout": [ "EMDR therapy", "Accelerated Resolution Therapy", "Addiction treatment", "PTSD", "Complex trauma", "First responder mental health" ], "provider": { "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#brian" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#brian", "name": "Brian Lewis", "honorificSuffix": "LCMHC", "jobTitle": "Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor", "image": "https://respondersherpa.com/__l5e/assets-v1/d03407aa-3688-433f-b886-6fea75aee05b/og-hero-ridge.jpg", "url": "https://respondersherpa.com/about", "telephone": "+1-801-554-6372", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#practice" }, "hasCredential": [ "MA, Health Systems Management & Counseling Psychology", "Utah LCMHC license #5497978-6009", "EMDR trained", "Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) trained" ], "knowsAbout": [ "EMDR", "Accelerated Resolution Therapy", "Addiction treatment", "PTSD", "Complex trauma", "Solution-focused therapy", "First responder mental health", "Healthcare worker mental health" ], "areaServed": { "@type": "State", "name": "Utah" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "MedicalWebPage", "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/resources/therapy-or-coaching#webpage", "url": "https://respondersherpa.com/resources/therapy-or-coaching", "name": "Therapy or Coaching: Which One Fits? | Brian Lewis", "description": "Therapy and coaching serve different needs. Compare licensed counseling with non-clinical coaching, and use a free 15-minute consult to decide.", "inLanguage": "en-US", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#practice" }, "author": { "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#brian" }, "reviewedBy": { "@id": "https://respondersherpa.com/#brian" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is coaching the same as therapy?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Coaching is non-clinical and is not therapy or licensed mental health care. Therapy here is licensed clinical care for addiction, PTSD, trauma, and related concerns." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can coaching and therapy happen at the same time?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "They can, because they do different work. If you also want therapy, you can start with the free 15-minute consultation and book from there." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where is coaching available?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Coaching is non-clinical and available beyond Utah. Therapy is provided in person in Midvale or by telehealth anywhere in Utah." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I choose between them?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Start with the free 15-minute consultation. Describe what you are dealing with, and Brian will tell you plainly whether therapy, coaching, or a conversation first fits best." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What does therapy cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Individual therapy is $150 for a 50-minute session, paid at the appointment, with a superbill available on request." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://respondersherpa.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Resources", "item": "https://respondersherpa.com/resources" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Therapy or coaching: which one fits?", "item": "https://respondersherpa.com/resources/therapy-or-coaching" } ] } ] ```