Every explorer needs a guide - which one do you or your teen or young person need right now?

Coach, counsellor, or career practitioner? What’s the difference?

If you are a parent/caregiver looking for career advice for teens or if you are a young adult trying to figure this for yourself, it can be confusing to know who to talk to - especially when terms like coach, counsellor, and career practitioner get used interchangeably.

These roles often overlap, but they do serve different purposes - each with their own qualifications, approaches, and focus areas.

In this article, we’ll look at the key differences between a coach (career coach), counsellor, and career practitioner in New Zealand, so you can choose the right kind of support at the right time.

CAREER PRACTITIONERS

Are trained to help people understand themselves, what motivates them, explore work/study/training/travel/other options, and make informed, realistic decisions.

We use skills from coaching, counselling, advising, educating, and guiding.

Qualifications: Career Development

Memberships:  Career Development Association of NZ (CDANZ)

Best for:

• Teens and adults who are unsure of what they want to do next,

• Need help choosing subjects or study/training options, or a career path

• Need structured support to explore options, or

• Who want personalised, research-based, practical career guidance.

COACHES (specialising in careers)

Similar to career practitioners but may also have a coaching qualification. Coaches tend to work with clients for longer, building confidence, motivation and accountability to support their client’s goals.

Qualifications: Coaching, Career Development

Memberships: may belong to Coaching and Career Development professional bodies

Best for:

• Individuals who have an idea of where they’re heading but would like regular and ongoing support.

COUNSELLORS

They are trained mental health professionals who support mental health, emotional wellbeing, and personal challenges.

May support career-related stress, but not career planning specifically.

Qualifications: Counselling

Memberships: New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC)

Best for:

• Teens or adults struggling with motivation, anxiety, or mental health issues that are affecting their ability to plan or progress with their future.

• Needing emotional support alongside big life decisions

• Building resilience and wellbeing

Final Thoughts

No matter where you or your young person is at, there’s someone who can help. You don’t have to figure it out alone, and neither do they. Whether it’s a coach to build confidence, a counsellor to support emotional wellbeing, or a career practitioner to guide informed choices, the right help is out there.

If you're looking for career support in NZ, consider working with a CDANZ-registered career practitioner to ensure high-quality, ethical, and tailored career support.

Knowing the difference means you can get the right support at the right time for the right situation.

Need some personalised advice?

Book a free discovery call and let’s talk about what’s next.