What Is a Mental Health Coach?
Mental health issues are more common than you think. In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness each year. A mental health coach can help people with mental health concerns.
You also don’t have to be “diagnosed” with anything to want to work on your mental health. Mental health coaching can help people tackle stress, addiction, emotional regulation, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. Plus, anything related to someone’s mental health can be worked on with a mental health coach.
Let’s take a closer look at what a mental health coach is, compare them to a therapist, and see what questions you can ask yourself to see if you would be interested in becoming a mental health coach.
What Is a Mental Health Coach?
Mental health can be a sensitive topic. Many people are afraid of talking to a therapist or a counselor because they don’t want to feel like something is wrong with them. But everyone can benefit from working on their mental health as much as maintaining their physical health.
So, hearing the term “mental health coach” can be more intriguing than a counselor for some people. But having both a coach and a therapist is also a popular strategy.
A mental health coach can help people to improve their wellness and even build resilience. A mental health coach teaches clients the tools to handle challenges that may affect their mental state. They will have a good understanding of psychology and can be a great addition to someone in therapy or opposed to therapy.
Mental health coaching helps clients change thoughts and behaviors that may hold them back, learn ways to accomplish goals, and increase self-esteem. Let’s talk about how mental health coaches differ from therapists or counselors.
Mental Health Coach vs. A Therapist
A mental health coach and a therapist can help people boost their health and wellness, but some differences between the two should be mentioned. A therapist must have a bachelor’s or higher education degree. A therapist will diagnose and treat mental health conditions and refer people to psychiatrists for medications. A coach does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions and does not prescribe any medicines.
A mental health coach can suggest natural supplements or herbs that may be beneficial, especially if they have any nutritional training or certifications. But these are suggestions, not prescriptions.
Also, coaches tend to focus on the present and the future, and a therapist will want to help you learn how to heal the past. That’s not to say that coaches won’t discuss ways to overcome the past, but they tend not to dig as deep as a counselor may.
How Do I Become a Mental Health Coach?
Alright, a mental health coach sounds like a job you want. Now, what do you need to do to make that happen? The Addictions Academy offers a Mental Health Coach Certification that dives deep into psychology and the DSM-V so that you can become well-versed in mental health issues and diagnoses.
In this course, you’ll learn all about addictions, anxiety, depression, as well as some of the more complex disorders. You’ll gain the knowledge to help clients tackle difficult emotions or negative thought patterns. You’ll also learn when you may need to refer them to a therapist.
Sign up for our Mental Health Coach Certification today so that you can become a mental health coach and help people manage and cope with life’s stressors.
