Coaching or therapy? A guide for overwhelmed mums and neurodivergent professionals
I’ve been thinking lately about the boundary between coaching and therapy. It was something that I took recently to some group coaching supervision. I left with lots of questions, and the answer came while I was walking by the Thames. Watching the river move, I realised this is what it feels like. That edge between the two can be fast-moving and unclear. If you’re standing near it without the right support, no boat, no lifejacket, you risk getting swept away.
Coaching for mental load, burnout, ADHD, and masking
In my coaching practice, I often work close to that edge. Many of my clients are busy working mums, often returning from parental leave or trying to carve out time for themselves in a life that never stops. Some are Autistic or have ADHD. Some are masking. Many are burnt out, overwhelmed, or struggling with the invisible weight of the mental load.
They come to coaching for structure, thinking space, and practical steps forward. But sometimes, understandably, more complex material shows up too. Anxiety, trauma, or deeper emotional distress. Things that don’t belong in a coaching space alone.
The difference between coaching and therapy
It helps to imagine a Venn diagram. One circle is coaching: future-focused, practical, time-limited, built around goals and actions. The other is therapy: treatment, diagnosis, long-term exploration, and mental health qualifications.
And in the middle is the overlap. A space that’s warm, reflective, and safe. This is where coaching and therapy sometimes sit side by side. Coaching can help organise your thinking, build awareness, and create breathing room. But it isn’t a replacement for therapy (and shouldn’t step over that border) when the work calls for deeper clinical support.
How I stay ethical as a coach: supervision, training, and boundaries
Knowing where coaching ends and therapy begins is essential. It protects the work, the client, and the coach.
To stay grounded and ethical in this space:
I have regular professional supervision (both 1:1 and group)
I’m training to become a coaching supervisor myself
I keep a clear, up-to-date information about how to refer that I can grab if the need arises
I contract and re-contract regularly with clients
I invest in CPD to keep learning, especially around neurodivergence, trauma, and coaching at the edge
I know what I’m trained for. And I know when to step back, pause, or refer on.
Why this matters if you’re looking for coaching and unsure where to start
If you’re thinking about working with a coach, especially if you’re managing a heavy mental load or navigating ADHD or Autism, it’s worth knowing how they hold that boundary.
Are they reflective? Do they have supervision? Do they know when to refer? These things matter. They create the safety you need to do the work well.
Thinking about coaching? Here’s a next step
If you’re not sure whether coaching is the right fit, I’m happy to talk it through. I work with people who want clarity, calm, and change. People who also need someone who understands how complex life can be behind the scenes.
You can book a free 30-minute call to explore whether it feels like a good match. No pressure. Just space to think it through.
