Coaching, Counseling, or Consulting? Here’s How to Know What You Actually Need
You’re standing at a crossroads.
Something’s not working—or maybe it’s just time for something new.
But figuring out who to reach out to for support? That’s a whole other layer of confusion.
At Juxtaposed Coaching, we talk to people all the time who say:
“I think I need a coach… or maybe a therapist? Or is this more of a consulting thing?”
Totally fair question. So let’s slow things down, take a sip of our hot beverages together, and gently untangle the differences between coaching, counseling, and consulting — so you can confidently choose the support that’s right for you.
☕ Coaching: You’re Ready to Move Forward
Coaching is for you when you’re ready to move from where you are, to where you want to be.
You might be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next steps — but deep down, you want to move forward. You just need some support to get clear, make decisions, and build the confidence to act.
In a coaching conversation, we don’t diagnose or advise — we partner. We ask meaningful questions that help you uncover your own answers, and we walk alongside you as you take bold, brave steps forward.
At Juxtaposed Coaching, we work with people navigating life transitions — those in-between spaces where the old ways don’t work anymore, but the new path hasn’t revealed itself yet. (Sound familiar?) Coaching creates room to breathe, reflect, and create something intentional.
Coaching is future-focused. It’s about building awareness, creating momentum, and designing your next chapter.
🛋️ Counseling: You’re Healing from the Past
Counseling (or therapy) is the right support when emotional healing is your priority.
If you're working through trauma, anxiety, grief, depression, or unresolved pain from the past, a licensed counselor or therapist is trained to help. They provide a safe space to explore your feelings, process what’s been hard, and begin to heal at a deeper emotional level.
Coaching is not a substitute for therapy. In fact, if we sense that what you need most is emotional healing, we’ll gently refer you to a therapist we trust.
Counseling is past-focused. It helps you make sense of where you’ve been so you can begin to feel whole again.
🧠 Consulting: You’re Looking for Expert Advice
Consulting is about hiring an expert to give you direction or solutions.
Whether you’re running a business or managing a big project, a consultant brings specialized knowledge to solve a specific problem. You might need a strategy, a plan, or a proven framework — and a consultant will typically tell you what to do (and sometimes help you do it).
If you’re asking, “Can someone just tell me the best way to do this?,” you’re probably in consulting territory.
Consulting is solution-focused. It’s about bringing in outside expertise to fix a problem or improve performance.
So... What Do You Need?
The truth is, we don’t always know what kind of support we need until we talk it through. And that’s okay.
At Juxtaposed Coaching, we offer free consultations because we believe clarity often starts with a good conversation. If it turns out coaching isn’t the right fit, we’ll point you toward someone who is.
Because you don’t have to navigate this life transition alone.
Warmth. Clarity. Partnership.
That’s what coaching feels like at Juxtaposed.
Ready to find your footing again?