Coaching is a working relationship in which a coach helps you set goals, plan specific steps and follow through, usually through regular sessions. It focuses on the present and the future rather than diagnosing or treating anything. A coach asks questions, helps you see options, and holds you accountable; the decisions and the work stay yours.
What coaching is
At its core, coaching is structured accountability with a thinking partner. You bring a goal or a problem: a career decision, a habit you want to build, a life that feels disorganized, a transition you are not sure how to handle. The coach helps turn it into something concrete and checks in on progress over time.
The word “life” simply means coaching is not limited to one area. Sessions might cover work one week and money, health or relationships the next, because those areas affect each other. For a structured option, see coaching for young adults, a one-on-one program by video.
What happens in a session
Formats vary, but a typical session follows a simple pattern:
- Check in on last week. What got done, what did not, and why.
- Focus on one or two topics. A decision, a problem, or the next stage of a goal.
- Explore options. The coach asks questions, offers frameworks and sometimes shares experience.
- Agree on next steps. Specific actions with a time attached.
- Plan the follow-up. When you will meet next and how you will stay in touch in between.
Sessions are usually 60 minutes, by video, phone or in person. Our guide to your first mentoring session shows what the first one can look like.
How coaching differs from therapy, mentoring and consulting
Coaching vs therapy
Therapy is provided by licensed mental health professionals and can diagnose and treat conditions such as depression, anxiety and trauma. Coaching does not diagnose or treat anything. It works best for people who are generally stable and want to make progress on goals. If emotional pain, substance use or a mental health condition is the main issue, start with a licensed therapist; coaching can come alongside, never instead. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Coaching vs mentoring
The traditional difference is that a coach mainly asks questions while a mentor also shares experience and advice from having been further down the road. In practice the line is blurry, and many people use the words interchangeably. Our guide to mentor vs coach vs therapist goes deeper, and what a life mentor does describes the mentoring side.
Coaching vs consulting
A consultant is an expert you hire to solve a problem or give answers, often in a specific business area. A coach helps you find and act on your own answers. If you want someone to write your business plan, hire a consultant; if you want help actually doing the plan, a coach fits better.
Who coaching helps
- Young adults who feel stuck or unsure what to do next; see young adults feeling stuck.
- College students handling more freedom and less structure than they are used to.
- Professionals facing a promotion, a career change or a decision they keep postponing.
- People who know what they want to do but struggle to follow through; see accountability coaching.
- Anyone in a transition: a move, a new job, a return home, a return to school.
Coaching tends to help less when someone is in crisis, does not want to be there, or needs clinical treatment first.
An honest note: coaching is unregulated
Unlike therapy, coaching is not a licensed profession in the United States. Anyone can call themselves a coach. Some coaches complete voluntary training programs or hold credentials from private organizations, but there is no government license and no single standard. That does not make coaching bad; it means you should judge any coach on how they work, how clearly they explain their limits, and whether you make real progress with them.
It also means a good coach should be clear about what they do not do: diagnose, treat, give legal or financial advice, or promise outcomes.
Common types of coaching
Coaching is usually named for the area it focuses on. The process is similar across types: goals, a plan, regular sessions and accountability.
- Career coaching helps with choosing a direction, job searches, interviews and career changes. See career coaching for young adults.
- Academic coaching focuses on study habits, planning and follow-through in school. See academic coaching for college students and for high school students.
- Executive function coaching builds planning, time management and getting started on tasks, with or without ADHD. See executive function coaching.
- Accountability coaching pairs a clear plan with regular check-ins so goals actually happen. See accountability coaching.
- Coaching for young adults covers direction, routine, work, school and money for people in their late teens and twenties. See coaching for young adults.
- Coaching for professionals helps with promotions, career changes, leading a team and getting time back. See coaching for professionals.
How to choose a coach
- Be clear on your goal. Even a rough one helps you judge fit.
- Ask how sessions work. Length, frequency, and whether there is contact between sessions.
- Ask who you will actually work with. One consistent person, or whoever is available?
- Ask what they will not do. A good answer includes referring you to a licensed professional when needed.
- Understand the cost and terms. See how much coaching costs.
- Notice how the first call feels. You should leave with more clarity, not more pressure.
Our list of questions to ask a coach is a useful checklist, and is mentoring worth it helps you weigh the decision.
How Blackburn’s model works
We describe what we do as mentoring and coaching. Our mentors are not therapists or clinicians. Each client works with one dedicated mentor. Together they set goals, break them into weekly steps and meet weekly or several times a week for 60 minutes, by video anywhere in the United States or in person in Los Angeles. Between sessions, the mentor stays in touch by text and phone, which is often where follow-through happens. With the client’s permission, mentors share progress with family and coordinate with professionals already involved.
You can read more on how mentoring works, virtual mentoring and coaching for professionals.
Related
- Mentor vs coach vs therapist
- How much does coaching cost?
- Questions to ask a coach
- Accountability coaching
Common questions
Is coaching the same as therapy?
No. Therapy is a licensed profession that can diagnose and treat mental health conditions; coaching focuses on goals and follow-through and does not treat anything.
Do coaches need a license?
No license is required to work as a coach in the United States. Some coaches complete private training, so ask how any coach works and what their limits are.
How long does coaching last?
It depends on the goal. Some people work on one transition for a few months; others keep a regular check-in going longer because it helps them stay consistent.
Can coaching happen by video?
Yes. Video sessions are common and work well for most goals; see our guide on online vs in-person mentoring.
Get started
Curious whether coaching or mentoring would help with your goal? Call (888) 305-5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.
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Free, by video, 20 minutes, with a member of our team. Weekdays 9 to 5 Pacific.