What is mental health coaching? A guide to this important support option

Highlights

• Mental health coaching bridges the gap between therapy and self-help, offering action-oriented support.
• Coaches focus on helping individuals build skills, set goals, and stay accountable.
• Unlike therapy, coaching is not intended to treat mental health disorders.
• Mental health coaching can enhance employee wellbeing and prevent burnout before it escalates.
• Knowing whether to choose coaching or therapy depends on your goals and current challenges.

Understanding mental health coaching

As mental health needs become more nuanced, so do the solutions. Mental health coaching is a relatively new but fast-growing form of support that’s designed to help people improve their mental wellbeing, build resilience, and take meaningful steps toward personal and professional goals.

Mental health coaching supports skill building, goal setting, and professional development for members who are looking forward—with structure, accountability, and empathy.

What is coaching?

Coaching is evidenced-based and leads to improvements that help a person’s personal and professional wellbeing.

It’s focused on taking action, and helps employees create the forward movement they need to make personal changes that are practical and sustainable. The coach helps employees define and clarify their goals, create an achievable action plan, and keep them accountable.

Mental health coach vs. life coach vs. therapist: What’s the difference?

If you’re exploring support options, you might be wondering: 

What is the purpose of mental health coaching? 

At its core, coaching is about helping people thrive—not just survive.

The purpose of mental health coaching

While therapy may be appropriate for someone navigating a crisis or clinical diagnosis, coaching serves a different function. Mental health coaches:

• Help clients clarify values and priorities
• Offer tools to manage stress, imposter syndrome, or low motivation
• Guide behavioral change, from better sleep to improved communication
• Keep people accountable in building sustainable habits
• Reinforce what’s going well, rather than focusing on dysfunction

This future-focused approach makes coaching an ideal fit for individuals who feel “stuck” but aren’t necessarily in distress. It’s also particularly impactful in the workplace—where prevention and early support can reduce burnout, absenteeism, and turnover.

Therapy vs. coaching: Which is right for you?

Still unsure? You’re not alone. Many organizations are now offering both coaching and therapy benefits, helping individuals choose the right path after taking an initial assessment.

At Spring Health, members take an initial assessment to help us understand their mental health needs across a wide range of risk factors. This helps us and the members to better understand their own needs and feel more confident in choosing the care options available to them. 

Why employers are embracing coaching

More organizations are integrating mental health coaching into their benefits strategy—and it’s easy to see why.

Mental health coaching delivers:

• A stigma-free entry point for employees who might not seek therapy
• Fast, on-demand access to professional support
• A structured approach to building resilience, productivity, and focus
• Actionable, measurable outcomes without clinical complexity

For employers, this means more than just supporting mental wellness. Coaching helps reduce burnout-related disruptions, improve team performance, and drive retention—all while fostering a culture of accountability and growth.

How mental health coaching fits into your benefits strategy

For HR and benefits leaders, offering mental health coaching isn’t about adding more benefits—it’s about making existing resources work smarter.

Here’s how coaching fits into a modern, high-performing benefits ecosystem:

• Fills the gap between wellness tools and clinical care. Coaching supports employees who may not need therapy but do need guidance—providing meaningful support before challenges escalate.
• Drives early engagement. Employees have the option to choose between coaching or therapy, giving them another valuable entrypoint to care.
• Improves utilization of other resources. Coaches often help employees navigate benefits they already have—referring to therapy, EAPs, or other programs when appropriate.
• Enhances culture and leadership development. Coaching isn’t just for those in crisis. It can support managers, high-potential employees, and anyone looking to grow—boosting morale and performance across teams.

By incorporating coaching into your mental health strategy, you give employees flexible, scalable support that meets them where they are—while reinforcing a culture of care, accountability, and growth.

Final thoughts

Mental health coaching is a complementary offering to therapy, expanding access to support employees with lower-acuity needs. For employees trying to build new habits, manage stress, or simply stay focused and fulfilled at work, a coach can be a powerful ally.

As mental health needs become more diverse, so should the care options. Coaching meets people where they are, empowering them with tools to move forward—whether that’s toward a goal, a better routine, or a healthier mindset.

FAQs

What qualifications should a mental health coach have?

While not required to be licensed therapists, credible mental health coaches often hold certifications in coaching, psychology, or behavioral health. Many receive ongoing training and supervision.

Can a mental health coach diagnose or treat a condition?

No. Coaching is not a replacement for therapy. Coaches don’t diagnose or provide treatment for clinical mental health conditions.

Is coaching covered by insurance?

Generally, mental health coaching is not covered by insurance in the same way therapy is. However, many employers now offer coaching as part of their benefits packages.

What should I expect in a coaching session?

Sessions often include goal setting, exploring obstacles, practicing coping strategies, and leaving with actionable steps. They’re collaborative, not prescriptive.

How do I know if I need coaching or therapy?

If you’re facing a mental health condition or high distress, therapy may be best. If you’re feeling unmotivated, stuck, or in need of support—not treatment—coaching may be the better fit. For Spring Health members, our initial assessment will help guide individuals to the care option that’s best for them.

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