Coaching or Psychotherapy? Why Sometimes More Is Needed

By Nathalie Buschor, Psychotherapist & Coach in Zurich

Coaching is trending. Today, almost every company offers executive coaching for managers. And in nearly every area of life, coaching is available: business, relationships, health, self-development.

Coaching can be extremely valuable – no question. It can create clarity, support decision-making, and move people into action. I myself have worked for many years as a coach with executives and leaders, and I deeply value this solution-focused, goal-oriented approach.

And yet: coaching has its limits.

Many challenges that people face are more complex than a career decision or a leadership goal. They are rooted more deeply – in biography, relationship experiences, and unconscious patterns.

When conflicts repeat, exhaustion lingers, relationships collapse, or inner pressure builds, a new mindset or clever tool is often not enough. At that point, what is needed is psychotherapy – deeper psychological support.

The difference between coaching and psychotherapy

Psychotherapists complete a full university degree in psychology, followed by a state-recognized, multi-year training. This includes personal therapy, supervision, theory, and clinical practice – usually lasting ten years or more.

The goal is not just professional knowledge, but the ability to safely and responsibly guide people through emotionally challenging processes.

By contrast, many coaching certifications are unregulated. They sometimes last only a few weeks or months and focus on practical goals rather than emotional depth. This is not “bad” – but often insufficient when deeper psychological issues are at play.

Why the combination matters

In my own practice for psychotherapy and coaching in Zurich, I combine both:

• Coaching, when clarity, strategy, and action are needed.

• Psychotherapy, when deeper questions, recurring patterns, or emotional wounds require attention.

Because lasting change happens where outer steps and inner processes connect. It is not enough to change behavior if the underlying patterns remain untouched.

Many people who first seek coaching actually need something more:

• A safe space for genuine self-exploration

• The opportunity to process past wounds

• A deeper understanding of their inner experience – beyond efficiency and optimization

What we can learn

Coaching is not a substitute for therapy. And therapy is not a weakness. In fact, people who achieve a lot and carry great responsibility benefit most when they can also carry themselves inwardly.

We live in a time when mental health is finally being destigmatized. That is a positive step. But it should not be watered down – by quick formats, light certificates, and the illusion that change can be achieved with just a few tools.

Sometimes it takes more. Depth. Time. Training. Experience. Humanity.

About the Author
Nathalie Buschor is a psychotherapist and coach in Zurich. She combines depth psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and systemic approaches with many years of experience in business, leadership, coaching, and personal development.