Professional boundary

The professional boundary is knowing where coaching ends and another kind of support begins. Coaching is different from therapy, consulting, and mentoring, and preserving this distinction is an ethical obligation. When a client's need exceeds the scope of coaching, for instance when clinical support is required, the coach must recognize this and refer them to a suitable professional. Knowing this boundary is not a shortcoming but a part of responsibility. The coach helps the client most when they know honestly what they can and cannot do.