If you’re feeling stressed about money or unsure where to start, you’re not alone. Many people look for financial help after a major life event, a pay raise, or simply realizing they need more clarity and control. This guide explains the different types of financial professionals — from therapists and coaches to fiduciary financial planners — and how to choose the right one for your situation.
Money can cause a lot of stress. Sometimes it’s a big life change that brings it to the surface, like getting married, having a child, changing jobs, buying a home, or receiving a large bonus or equity grant. Other times it’s feeling behind, uncertain, or stretched too thin despite earning a good income.
Whatever the trigger, reaching out for help takes courage. Money is personal, emotional, and often tied to our sense of security and self-worth. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out alone. There are professionals who specialize in different types of financial help.
Understanding who does what can help you find the right fit for your needs and comfort level.
Financial Therapists
A financial therapist focuses on the emotional and behavioral side of money. They help you unpack your money history, beliefs, and patterns so you can make more intentional financial decisions. If you find yourself anxious about spending, avoiding your finances, or arguing about money with a partner, this could be a good place to start.
Financial therapists often have backgrounds in psychology, therapy, or counseling and may hold a Certified Financial Therapist (CFT-I™) credential.
Financial Coaches
A financial coach focuses on helping you build habits and accountability. They usually help with budgeting, debt management, or saving goals and often meet with clients regularly to track progress. Coaches can be great for improving day-to-day money management and developing consistency, but they typically don’t provide regulated financial advice on investments, taxes, or estate planning.
If you’re looking for a qualified coach, consider someone with the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) designation, which demonstrates training in personal finance, counseling, and ethics.
Financial Planners
A financial planner helps you organize your entire financial life, from cash flow and benefits to taxes, investments, insurance, and long-term goals. They also help you connect money decisions to your values and priorities.
Many financial planners hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) designation, considered the gold standard in the profession. CFP® professionals are trained across all areas of financial planning and are required to act in their clients’ best interest as fiduciaries.
Traditional Financial Advisors
Some financial planners work in banks, brokerage firms, or insurance companies. These professionals often focus on investments or insurance products and may earn commissions or charge a percentage of assets under management.
Not all traditional advisors operate under the same standard, but some follow what’s called the suitability standard, meaning recommendations must be “suitable” for your situation but don’t have to be the best or lowest-cost option available.
This model can work well if you primarily want portfolio management or help choosing insurance coverage. Just be sure to understand how your advisor is paid and what standard of care they follow.
Holistic Financial Life Planners
A holistic financial life planner looks at your entire financial picture and how it connects to your life. They help with cash flow, benefits, taxes, investments, retirement, insurance, and estate planning. They also address emotions, habits, and financial behavior, and while they are not therapists, their work often overlaps with the goals of both financial coaches and financial therapists.
Holistic planners operate under the fiduciary standard, meaning they are legally required to act in your best interest at all times. They typically charge flat or transparent fees instead of commissions and provide advice across every area of your financial life, not just investments.
Advice-Only Planners
An advice-only financial planner provides comprehensive, fiduciary advice but does not manage investments or sell financial products. You implement the recommendations yourself or with your existing professionals.
While advice-only planning reduces many conflicts of interest, it doesn’t eliminate them entirely. It does, however, ensure that you are paying only for advice, not for product sales or investment management.
Advice-only planners often charge flat or project-based fees and focus on education, empowerment, and collaboration so you can make informed financial decisions.
Service Options
Financial planners offer different levels of engagement depending on your needs and budget.
- Hourly Planning: Pay only for the time you need. Good for focused questions or a specific decision.
- Project-Based Planning: One-time flat fee for a comprehensive review or specific deliverable, like a retirement plan, stock option analysis, or insurance review.
- Ongoing Planning: A long-term relationship where your planner acts as your financial partner, helping you stay aligned with your goals as your life changes. This usually includes regular meetings, proactive tax and investment coordination, and access to your planner throughout the year.
Finding the Right Fit
Choosing financial help is about finding someone who fits your personality, needs, and values.
Ask yourself:
- Do I need help understanding my emotions and habits around money? (Financial Therapist)
- Do I need accountability and structure with cash flow or debt? (Financial Coach)
- Do I need a plan that coordinates all aspects of my finances? (Financial Planner)
And if you’re looking for a long-term relationship built on trust, transparency, and comprehensive guidance, look for a fiduciary, flat-fee financial life planner with the CFP® designation.
About Motif Planning
Motif Planning is a holistic financial life planning firm providing ongoing, flat-fee, advice-only service to high-earning music executives and others who want a trusted partner to help manage their financial lives with clarity and confidence.
We integrate every area of your finances — cash flow, employee benefits, investments, taxes, and estate planning — while staying grounded in your personal values and long-term goals.
Our role is to simplify complex financial decisions, coordinate your professional team, and help you align your money with the life you want to live.
A financial coach focuses on daily money habits, budgeting, and accountability. A financial planner looks at your entire financial picture, including taxes, investments, benefits, and long-term goals. Coaches often hold the AFC® designation, while financial planners typically hold the CFP® certification.
Ask directly if they are legally required to act in your best interest at all times. Fiduciaries are bound by law to put your needs first and to disclose any conflicts of interest. CFP® professionals are fiduciaries when providing financial planning services.
Advice-only planners provide guidance for a flat or project-based fee and do not manage investments or sell products. They focus on education and strategy so clients can make informed decisions and maintain full control over implementation.
Flat fees are transparent and not tied to product sales or investment balances. This model allows clients to receive objective advice across all areas of their finances without worrying about hidden costs or commissions.
If you work with a planner on an ongoing basis, most meet with clients two to four times a year. This allows time for proactive tax planning, benefits reviews, and life updates that impact your financial plan.
