This is such an important question! Therapy primarily focuses on diagnosing and treating mental illness, aiming to reduce symptoms and support your mental health. If your main goal is managing a mental illness like depression, I highly recommend finding a therapist who incorporates somatic practices, which can be especially helpful if you’ve experienced chronic pain, illness, or trauma.

Coaching, on the other hand, offers a broader, collaborative relationship where I support you in achieving personal and life goals that you may be having trouble reaching due to illness or pain. These goals are more holistic, centered on building acceptance, joy, body connection, and processing grief. Coaching isn’t about digging into past experiences; it’s about creating a toolkit and mindset to help you flourish in the present and future.

An added benefit is that I bring my own lived experience with multiple chronic illnesses, so I understand firsthand what you’re going through and can share insights when it’s helpful. Coaching is a great option if you’ve tried therapy but are ready for a fresh approach.

I want to start by saying that therapy was instrumental for me in treating my PTSD, and I fully believe in its value. That said, from my own experience and that of many clients, traditional therapy often falls short when it comes to the unique emotional demands of chronic illness.

One reason is that therapy tends to be deficit-focused, aiming to reduce or eliminate symptoms. But many people with chronic illness need an acceptance- and strength-based approach to feel truly safe and supported. They’ve often been gaslit or told there’s something “wrong” with them far too often.

Additionally, most therapists aren’t trained to work with chronic, ongoing stressors like illness. I know this firsthand—I was in a therapist training program! Therapy’s focus on change and symptom alleviation can clash with the reality of living with a condition that doesn’t simply go away, which can create frustration or even harm.

Coaching with me is a great fit for individuals who are ready to reconnect with their bodies (though they may feel a bit scared!), build self-trust, and commit to a joyful life, even with illness and pain. If you’re goal-focused, you’ll likely benefit from this work.

On the other hand, if you’re mainly looking for a space to vent, or currently have pressing mental health needs that require clinical treatment, coaching might not be the right fit, at least not yet. It’s okay to come back when you have more space for this kind of work!

Goals are personalized but here are some examples: 

1. Find harmony between your body and mind

2. Accept and love your full self

3. Access daily joy, even in tough times

4. Build self-trust and self-compassion skillsets 

5. Make treatment decisions based on your intuition

6. Strengthen self-advocacy proficiency

7. Learn how to grieve effectively

Well, that’s a personal calculus! But if you’re ready to invest in yourself, if you’ve tried therapy, meditation, and too many specialists, and you have a gut feeling that working with an expert who truly gets it can help you build the skills you need—then yes, coaching is worth it.

It’s a big upfront investment, but coaching with me is an investment in the rest of your life. Coaching can set you up to make the most of your time and energy for the long run, which can be especially important with an energy-limiting illness or dynamic disability.

I don’t take insurance because coaching is not treatment for a mental or physical illness. Instead, we focus on building a life that feels more easeful, joyful, and accepting of yourself.

Happy to answer questions! You can email drtaliaphd@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram @drtaliaphd.