Empathy matters deeply in both therapy and coaching. But being a good listener, having life experience, or wanting to help does not automatically make someone a qualified professional.
Meaningful therapeutic and coaching relationships require training, self-awareness, ethical judgment, and the ability to recognise personal biases and projections.
A skilled practitioner understands when to challenge, when to remain with uncertainty, and when additional specialist support may be needed.
When someone entrusts you with their vulnerability, relationships, career or psychological pain, good intentions alone are not enough. Professional responsibility matters.