What is Mental Health Coaching? What to Expect

People faced a stigma when it came to therapy and counseling in the past. Today, treatment and counseling are more widely accepted as a means to understand present behaviors based on past occurrences or recent trauma.

Mental health coaching is becoming more popular as people are now searching for ways to be better in the present and secure a successful future. They may not need therapy, but a coach who can help guide them in personal and professional development.

Mental health coaching is a powerful tool that empowers you to focus on the present and work toward future goals in every area of your life.

What is mental health coaching?

God has great purposes for us, but we often get stuck in our own heads and delay fulfilling His plan for our lives. Mental health coaching with a Christian coach helps you through those obstacles while remaining faithful to God and seeking His will.

The secular world will pull at you, try to rob you of your confidence, and work to derail you from God’s calling on your life. A Christian mental health coach is a person who offers a new perspective on obstacles and can help you clear the clutter by encouraging organizational thinking.

With mental health coaching, you will identify your values, set goals, create actionable steps, and follow through with the unwavering support and accountability from your coach. Even when you face obstacles, your coach is there, standing by your side, helping you find ways around those roadblocks.

What is the difference between therapy and coaching?

Therapy focuses on delving deep into the past to change how you view events. When you can view a traumatic event from a different perspective, you may be able to change your thoughts and emotions about the past. This change influences your behaviors and actions in the present. A licensed therapist is qualified to assess symptoms and signs and determine mental health conditions.

Coaching, on the other hand, is provided by a professional coach who does not treat mental conditions. Instead, they address the obstacles that may hinder your progress toward your goals. A coach focuses on the present, your strengths and weaknesses, and your goals. They will help you identify the skills you need to learn to move forward, initiate an actionable plan, keep you accountable as you follow through, and ensure you are equipped with the knowledge and skills to move forward.

Most people pursue therapy when they feel that something is off. The approach to coaching is different. You can seek coaching at any stage in life or career. When you need a clear vision for your future, a coach can help reveal clarity. Many people use mental health coaching throughout their professional lives to improve their careers.

As you approach different stages in life, the level of coaching needed may increase. For example, you may seek coaching to overcome Imposter Syndrome while starting a new career and learn how to communicate better with your peers and clients. A few years later, after a promotion, you may seek coaching again to help with time management, leadership skills, conflict resolution, and self-care. Coaching changes with you as your needs change.

What topics does mental health coaching cover?

Mental health coaching covers a wide range of topics, and often, clients present more than one issue that they need help with.

For example, a new mother may struggle to get back to her old self after the birth of her baby. She might seek the help of a mental health coach to get past roadblocks with time management, body image issues, body acceptance, weight loss, anxiety, and confidence. She may also use the help of her coach to set goals to resume working from home while raising her children.

Any topic that falls under personal or professional development can be worked on in mental health coaching.

Examples of topics commonly seen in mental health coaching include:

• Coping mechanisms for stress
• Career development
• Occupational burnout
• Caregiver support
• Communication skills
• Self-improvement
• Workplace conflict
• Family conflict
• Weight loss
• Addiction
• Life events
• Higher education
• Balancing family and career
• Starting over after death or divorce
• Identifying personal strengths
• Anger management
• Conflict resolution
• Spiritual growth

Along with the topics listed above, the coach may also tackle mental conditions that can result from striving to reach an outcome, such as anxiety and depression.

Mental health coaching with a Christian coach encourages Spirit-led success in a secular world. Having someone who can help guide you to be successful while never losing sight of Jesus is priceless. The world can hit hard, but the Bible states, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7, NIV)

What You Can Expect from Mental Health Coaching

Choosing mental health coaching is an empowering decision. You are doing something for the current you and the future version of yourself. You are enlisting help to live as the person God created you to be. That takes strength and courage. Do not feel guilty for prioritizing your personal, professional, or spiritual development. Your mental health coach will support and encourage you on your self-development journey.

The following are a few examples of questions your coach may ask at a session.

Where are you currently in your relationships, work, and spiritual life?

You cannot move forward until you take inventory of your current situation and recognize the changes you want to make. It may seem like these changes are insurmountable, but do not worry. Your coach will help you every step of the way.

Where do you want to be in these areas in one year? Where do you want to be in five years?

Setting short-term (one-year) and long-term (five-year) goals will keep you focused on the big picture. Big-picture thinking is important when obstacles occur along the way.

Do you have a clear vision of what you want in the future?

Without a clear vision, you might end up spinning your wheels instead of making progress. A coach helps you visualize the outcome of your goal.

Do you have a plan for reaching your goals?

Before you can reach your goals, you must have a plan. You will create actionable steps you can take daily to move you closer to your goals.

Do you practice time management to do the tasks required?

Time is like water – it will slip out of your grasp if you are not prepared with a glass. Time management skills ensure you get the tasks done.

Do you have accountability in place?

A coach is your support partner. He or she holds you accountable for each task and celebrates when you reach a goal. You can turn to your coach or another trusted friend when you need encouragement.

Do you know how to assess your progress and pivot when needed?

Assess your progress regularly. If something is not working, consult your coach. You may need to pivot, try something new, or persevere until it does.

Are you equipped to handle obstacles and disappointments?

Emotional resilience and anger management are two lifelong skills that will serve you. Disappointments and obstacles will happen because that is life. How you handle those disappointments and obstacles will predict your success in any area.

Your coach will work with you to develop a plan and support you with accountability and skills.

How do I get started?

Contact our office today if you want to learn more about how mental health coaching can help you manage your present, reach goals, overcome obstacles, and look forward to the future. One of our friendly staff members will connect you to a Christian coach specializing in mental health coaching for an assessment.

You can be excited about the future again by focusing on what you can accomplish in the present. Give us a call today.