Become a Mental Health Coach
Help people experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges thrive
What is a Mental Health Coach?
Mental Health Coaches are the missing link in mental healthcare, supporting people with mild to moderate mental health challenges in making the critical lifestyle changes required to dramatically improve their mental wellbeing. Mental Health Coaches are future focused, and use coaching skills, behaviour therapy techniques and lifestyle solutions to help clients move forward and achieve their life and wellbeing goals.
Addressing the Mental Health Treatment Gap with Lifestyle Solutions and Behavioural Therapy
It is estimated that one in ten globally, and one in five in most western countries, suffer from some form of mental health disorder. Yet, for many, the health system offers little help. How is it possible that at a time in human history when we have more wealth, more knowledge, and more tools than ever before, we are failing to meet the needs of so many people? This is known as the treatment gap.
Cutting-edge science points to non-pharmacological solutions, such as improved nutrition, sleep, exercise, thermo-therapies, breathing techniques, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tools as being highly effective. However, there is a massive shortage of mental health professionals thoroughly trained in these areas to support people with mild to moderate psychological difficulties.
What Do Mental Health Coaches Actually Do?
Mental Health Coaches work with clients to create a better tomorrow. They have a toolbox of practical techniques and tools, including lifestyle medicine and ACT tools, which are integrated with coaching, to educate, support, and empower clients to move forward.
While Mental Health Coaches do not diagnose, prescribe medication, or advise on altering treatment plans set by primary healthcare providers, they do play a critical role in addressing the treatment gap by providing lifestyle solutions and behavioural therapy. They focus on preventative measures and holistic approaches to mental wellbeing and resilience, supporting clients in identifying and overcoming barriers, setting realistic goals, and maintaining healthy behaviours.
Is a Mental Health Coach a Therapist?
No, a Mental Health Coach is not a therapist. While therapists provide clinical interventions and treatments for mental health disorders, Mental Health Coaches focus on lifestyle and behavioural changes to support overall mental wellbeing. Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions but work alongside other healthcare professionals to holistically support clients.
What is the Difference Between a Mental Health Coach and a Psychologist and a Counsellor?
Psychologists are registered medical professionals who diagnose and treat mental health disorders through clinical interventions. They conduct assessments, provide therapy, and create treatment plans. Mental Health Coaches can work in collaboration with psychologists to provide comprehensive wraparound care for clients.
Counsellors are degree qualified and are trained to address and treat psychological issues and emotional distress. Counsellors often focus on exploring and understanding past experiences and emotional trauma to help clients resolve issues and improve their mental health through talk therapy. The therapeutic process in counselling is typically centred on healing and resolving past and present issues that affect the client’s emotional wellbeing.
Mental Health Coaches are future-focused and emphasise preventative measures, lifestyle changes, behavioural coaching, and fostering healthy habits to enhance overall mental wellbeing. They work with clients to set and achieve personal goals related to mental health, help clients develop skills and strategies to improve their mental resilience, manage stress, and enhance their overall quality of life. Their role is to empower clients to take proactive steps toward achieving their future goals.
What Mental Health Coach Job Opportunities are there?
The role of Mental Health Coaches is continuing to grow, for example mediation app Headspace now offers mental health coaching in their online mental health support offering.
- Mental Health Coaches can find employed work in GP clinics and primary care, insurance companies, aged care, corporate and education settings.
- Registered healthcare professionals who upskill in mental health coaching are well placed to work in the New Zealand primary care network as a Health Improvement Practioner (HIP) to support patients experiencing mental distress or addiction issues.
- Many Mental Health Coaches start their own private coaching practices, focusing on their personal passion areas, for example, as an Anxiety Coach, Addictions Coach, Mental Wellbeing Coach, Stress Coach, or Resilience Coach.
- Explore more health coach career opportunities in our Professional Health Coach Career Guide.
How to become a Certified Mental Health Coach?
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in mental health coaching, you’ll need to complete an accredited coach training program. PREKURE’s Master Health Coach Program, approved by the UK & International Health Coaches Association, provides a comprehensive pathway to becoming a Certified Mental Health Coach.
This program combines behaviour change and health coach training with the latest science and practice in preventative lifestyle medicine for mental health, including brain biology & neuroscience, Acceptance & Commitment Behaviour Therapy (ACT) tools, substance misuse & addictions, advanced lifestyle medicine, and psychological injury & trauma.
Master Health Coach Program
UK Health and International Coaches Association Approved Program
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Royal New Zealand College of GPs Endorsed Provider
Health Coach Alliance Approved School
Health Coaches Australia & New Zealand Approved Program Provider
Not sure where to start?
Speak to a Health & Career Coach
Would you like to turn your passion for health and mental wellbeing into a career, but you’re not sure where to start? Book a free discovery call with a PREKURE Health & Career Coach to talk about your options.
Download a copy of our Health Coach Pathways Prospectus
PREKURE provides training in the theory and practice of lifestyle medicine for mild to medium mental health challenges. We cannot provide personalised medical advice. If you or your loved ones require personal medical advice, or suffer from moderate to severe mental ill-health, then we recommend you consult a registered health practitioner (GP, Registered Psychologist).
Need help now?
- In New Zealand: If life is in danger, call 111 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor or access other Helplines and Support here
- In Australia: If life is in danger, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. Or call 13 11 14 (Lifeline), 1300 22 4636 (Beyond Blue), or call 1300 659 467 (Suicide Call Back Service).