Describe the difference between coaching and counseling in terms of scope of practice within CCAR.

• A. Counseling addresses diagnosis and treatment plans, while coaching focuses on goal setting and recovery-support strategies; coaches refer to clinicians when clinical needs arise.
• B. Coaching provides diagnosis and treatment; counseling handles only motivational interviewing.
• C. Coaching and counseling are completely interchangeable in scope.
• D. Coaching replaces clinicians entirely.

Answer: (C)

In CCAR, the difference in scope of practice centers on what each role handles clinically. Recovery coaching is about supporting the client’s recovery journey through goal setting, accountability, and strategies to maintain progress, along with connecting to resources. It does not involve diagnosing or providing clinical treatment. When clinical issues or symptoms suggest a need for formal assessment or therapy, a clinician should be involved or consulted.

Counseling, by contrast, involves clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and the development of treatment plans, using therapeutic techniques to address mental health or substance-use disorders. Because of that clinical responsibility, counseling and coaching are not interchangeable, and coaching should not replace clinicians.

Therefore, the best description is that counseling handles diagnosis and treatment plans, while coaching focuses on goal setting and recovery-support strategies, with coaches referring clients to clinicians when clinical needs arise.