Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health Coaching

Mental health coaching is carried out by mental health coaches who are trained wellness professionals specializing in non-clinical mental health issues. They are dedicated to encouraging positive change that can help you achieve your self-determined well-being goals.

Although mental health coaches are not qualified to do everything that licensed therapists do, they can help you develop greater self-awareness, clarify goals, manage your emotions, improve communication and relationship skills, challenge negative thinking patterns, reduce stress and anxiety, change the way you approach problems, and come up with strategies that use your unique strengths and talents to achieve personal objectives.

What is the difference between a mental health coach and a therapist?

Key differences between mental health coaches and therapists include:

Credentials

Mental health coaches are not qualified to diagnose mental health disorders or treat complex clinical problems such as depression or trauma-related issues. On the other hand, therapists have at minimum a Masters degree in their field and are licensed to do both.

Hierarchy

Mental health coaching involves a collaborative relationship in which you and your coach are equals. Conversely, therapy is like a doctor/patient relationship, in which you are consulting a specialist for treatment of your issue.

Areas addressed: Therapists diagnose and treat complex mental health disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or bipolar disorder. Mental health coaches, on the other hand, focus on helping you create positive changes in your life and improve your overall well-being through building healthy habits, addressing challenges in more effective ways, managing stress, and improving relationships and communication.

Areas of focus

Therapists dig into the past to help you understand and address what is at the root of your current challenges and bring about healing in the present. Mental health coaches focus on the present and what you want to accomplish in the future and help you create strategic action plans and solutions to get you from where you are to where you want to be.

How does mental health coaching work?

Your mental health coach will ask questions that facilitate your thinking processes to help you set goals, co-create an action plan of small, achievable, measurable steps you can take to achieve them, and hold you accountable for putting them into practice.

He or she will make adjustments as needed to keep you on track, as well as provide fresh perspectives to help you reframe thinking patterns, manage your emotions better, and address problems more effectively.

He or she will also equip you with coping skills such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques to help you manage challenges and stress.

Between mental health coaching sessions, you will typically be given homework assignments to complete such as a journaling exercise to clarify values and goals, or a new calming technique to try when you feel stressed.

How can I know if it is right for me?

• You are looking for practical strategies to help improve your mental health.
• Your mental health symptoms are on the mild end of the scale, such as anxiety, stress, burnout, or perfectionism.
• You are looking for practices you can implement to enhance your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• You want a shorter-term approach to personal growth and development.
• You are looking for someone who can help guide you and hold you accountable as you work toward your goals.
• You are looking for help setting goals and developing healthy habits.
• You are looking for support during a major life transition such as a move or a new job.
• You are feeling stuck and need help getting back on track.
• You want a goal-oriented approach that focuses on personal growth and development.
• You want to learn practical ways to address your challenges.
• You want to learn how to manage stress.
• You want help clarifying your goals, values, and purpose.
• You want to learn how to achieve a better work-life balance.

If you are interested in pursuing mental health coaching or in learning more about it, please give our office a call at Texas Christian Counseling, Rockwall.