Therapy usually focuses on helping clients overcome past problems that encumber their ability to function in a normal day-to-day manner. In therapy, clients often revisit past life events to discover and resolve conflicting issues. Coaching focuses on the client achieving future goals chosen by the client. Therapists have specific expertise that varies from that of a coach, and are trained to deal effectively with a range of mental health issues. Coaches and therapists are usually pretty good at determining with a client when one or the other option is most appropriate.