Home What is Mental Health Coaching?
What is a Mental Health Coach?
Everything you need to know about Mental Health Coaching in one place
We live in an age of constant noise, distraction, and acceleration. Technology has advanced faster than our biology can adapt, and our collective mental health has never been worse off. With 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health challenge in their lifetime, the need for support has never been greater. Yet, despite growing awareness, many struggle to find the right help before reaching crisis point. This is where Mental Health Coaches step in. A Mental Health Coach is a trained professional who helps you to navigate challenges, become more resilient and take meaningful steps towards a more fulfilling life.
A PREKURE Mental Health Coach uses evidence-based coaching techniques, drawing from lifestyle medicine, behaviour change science, and acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT). They don’t diagnose or treat mental illness, but instead work alongside clients to provide practical strategies for managing stress, improving resilience, and achieving personal goals.
Unlike traditional mental health care, which largely focuses on treating disorders, Mental Health Coaching is proactive. It is about equipping people with the knowledge and skills to live a life of values guided action.
A Mental Health Coach can help when a client is stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward. They provide guidance, support, and accountability – helping people make positive, sustainable changes in their lives.
Why do we need Mental Health Coaches?
Mental health challenges are widespread, affecting individuals across the globe. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately one in four people will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Despite this, there is a treatment gap, where we only treat the most severe cases. This leaves the majority of mild to moderate conditions without support or resources, waiting for them to become more severe before we offer help.
The traditional healthcare system focuses on treating mental illness rather than preventing it. While there have been major advancements in psychology and psychiatry that have provided essential care, the rates of anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions continue to rise. The global cost of mental illness was estimated at nearly $2.5 trillion in 2010, with a projected increase to over $6 trillion by 2030.
Mental Health Coaches help fill this gap by guiding individuals to build resilience, manage stress, and develop practical strategies for long-term mental wellbeing. By shifting the focus from treating illness to a prevention, Mental Health Coaches are helping reshape how we approach mental wellbeing – empowering individuals, reducing the burden on overstretched healthcare systems, and improving long-term outcomes
How Do Mental Health Coaches Help?
Mental Health Coaches play a vital role in addressing the growing mental health crisis. A Mental Health Coach works alongside clients to provide guidance, support, and accountability, helping them build resilience, manage stress, and develop long-term strategies for mental wellbeing. Unlike traditional mental health services, which focus on treatment, Mental Health Coaches take a proactive approach, equipping individuals with practical tools to improve their wellbeing before challenges become overwhelming.
The increasing prevalence of mental health conditions places significant strain on healthcare systems. With many professionals overstretched and long waiting lists for therapy, Mental Health Coaches provide an additional layer of support. Their work ensures that more people receive timely guidance, helping to prevent issues from escalating and reducing the burden on clinical services.
The impact of mental health also extends beyond healthcare. Stress, anxiety, and burnout are now major concerns in workplaces across the world, affecting productivity, job satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. Mental Health Coaches help individuals develop the skills needed to manage workplace stress, improve focus, and create a more balanced approach to life. By supporting mental resilience, they contribute to healthier work environments and more engaged, motivated teams.
Mental Health Coaching is about creating sustainable, long-term change. Rather than offering quick fixes, coaches empower individuals to take control of their own mental wellbeing, helping them build the confidence and strategies needed to thrive in daily life.
What Does a Mental Health Coach Do?
A PREKURE Mental Health Coach helps individuals navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop sustainable strategies for improving their mental wellbeing. Rather than treating symptoms, they work alongside clients to identify the underlying factors that may be holding them back. Through structured conversations and evidence-based techniques, they help clients gain clarity, take action, and create lasting change.
Traditional mental health services often focus on diagnosing and treating conditions. A Mental Health Coach takes a different approach. They empower clients to take ownership of their mental wellbeing by walking alongside them, and guiding them on the clients agenda to reflect, discover and take values based action. Their role is not to provide therapy or prescribe solutions but to support individuals in making practical changes that improve their quality of life.
A Mental Health Coach works with rather than for their client, walking alongside them in their health journey. When relevant they support with tools and strategies to help manage stress, anxiety, and other mild to moderate mental health presentations. Through ongoing support, they keep clients accountable, helping them to live the life they want to live. This is not a quick-fix solution. A Mental Health Coach focuses on prevention, long-term wellbeing, and equipping people with the skills they can use for life.
Mental Health Coaches work in all sorts of environments, across industries. Here are three broad categories of where and how Health Coaches work:
Mental Health Coaches work alongside doctors, psychologists, and other health professionals, supporting individuals in making lasting behavioural and lifestyle changes that improve mental wellbeing.
They are becoming an integral part of GP clinics, integrative health practices, and mental health services, offering clients the tools and support needed to build resilience, manage stress, and thrive.
Whether you’re a Counsellor, Nurse, Social Worker, PT, or other health professional, becoming a Mental Health Coach can expand your scope and amplify your impact.
See how PREKURE-trained Mental Health Coaches are using behaviour change tools and lifestyle medicine to support others with their mental wellbeing-creating meaningful careers and real change in their communities.
Many Mental Health Coaches start their own businesses - working 1:1 with clients, running group programs, or partnering with workplaces, schools, or community groups.
They often specialise in areas like mental fitness, stress, burnout, or emotional wellbeing, and may offer online coaching, workshops, or digital programs. With the rise of telehealth, Mental Health Coaches can now support clients both locally and globally.
How is Mental Health Coaching Different?
How is Mental Health Coaching Different?
Mental Health Coaching is always on the clients agenda. This means advice isn’t given in a traditional sense, rather Mental Health Coaches are trained to listen deeply, hold the space and offer tools when it is appropriate for the client. Coaching also takes a preventative and proactive approach to wellbeing, utilising powerful behaviour change strategies and tools like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Unlike traditional mental health services, which often focus on diagnosing and treating conditions, Mental Health Coaching empowers clients to take work with clients before challenges become overwhelming. Coaches work with clients on their agenda, supporting them in making meaningful changes that align with their values and goals.
Mental Health Coaching vs. Counselling
Counsellors help clients process emotions, work through past experiences, and navigate personal challenges such as grief, trauma, or relationship struggles. Mental Health Coaches, on the other hand, focus on the present and future, guiding clients in setting goals and using practical techniques to improve their mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.
Mental Health Coaching vs. Psychology
Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders using clinical methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy and psychotherapy. They work with individuals facing conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Mental Health Coaches do not diagnose or treat disorders but provide structured support for individuals looking to improve their mental wellbeing, manage stress, and build confidence through evidence-based coaching methods.
Mental Health Coaching vs. Therapy
Therapists take a deep, clinical approach to mental health, addressing underlying psychological patterns and past experiences that influence behaviour. Mental Health Coaches work with individuals who may be functioning well but may also feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward. Their role is to provide practical tools for self-improvement rather than long-term therapy.
Bridging the Gap
A Mental Health Coach does not replace psychologists, counsellors, or therapists. Instead, they bridge the gap between professional mental health support and real-life action – helping individuals develop the skills and habits needed to build long-term resilience.
Mental Health Coaches play a key role in the mental health industry, empowering people to take control of their mental wellbeing before they reach crisis point. They are trained within a strict scope of practice, ensuring they know when to refer clients to psychologists, psychiatrists, or other mental health professionals when clinical support is needed. Mental Health Coaches work collaboratively with these professionals, supporting clients in applying evidence-based strategies alongside medical or therapeutic treatment.
By working within their scope and focusing on prevention, Mental Health Coaches help create a more effective and integrated approach to mental wellbeing – ensuring people get the right support.
WHAT SORT OF COACH COULD YOU BE?
Discover Your Health Coach Profile
• Your unique coaching style
• Your readiness to become a coach
• Your strengths + gaps to bridge
Would I Make a Good Mental Health Coach?
Mental Health Coaches come from all walks of life, but they share a common goal: helping people to live the life they want too and create lasting change. Whether you have personally overcome challenges, have a deep interest in mental health, or feel called to support others in their journey, Mental Health Coaching offers a meaningful and rewarding career.
You don’t need to be a psychologist, counsellor, or have previous experience in mental health to become a Mental Health Coach – you do need a passion for helping others, the willingness to learn, and the right training. Some Mental Health Coaches come from healthcare backgrounds like nursing, social work, or counselling and want to expand their skills. Others come from completely different fields but feel drawn to making a real impact in mental wellbeing. No matter your starting point, Mental Health Coaching provides the tools to support people in leading healthier, more balanced lives.
You might make a great Mental Health Coach if you:
Are passionate about mental wellbeing – You’re interested in the science of resilience, stress management, and personal development.
Want to make a difference – You’re driven by the idea of helping people take control of their mental fitness.
Enjoy helping people – You’re a natural at supporting and guiding others to reach their full potential.
Are a great listener – You understand the power of holding space for someone and supporting them to find their own answers.
Believe in long-term change – You know that real transformation takes time, and you’re committed to helping others build sustainable habits.
Mental Health Coaching is for those who want to empower, guide, and support – helping individuals not just cope, but thrive.
YOU’RE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MASTERCLASS
Free Health Coaching 101 Live Masterclass
Learn the key coaching skills and foundational concepts that flip the traditional medical model – empowering you to support sustainable change and explore a rewarding career in professional health coaching. We are running both New Zealand & Australian sessions.
Mental Health Coach Training & Accreditations
At PREKURE, we’re setting the global standard in Health Coach education, with internationally recognised training that meets the highest industry benchmarks. Our programmes are backed by leading professional bodies and assessed for university-level equivalency, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to make a real impact in health and wellbeing.
Internationally Recognised Training
PREKURE’s Health Coach programmes are recognised by key professional bodies across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada. These endorsements ensure that our graduates meet the highest industry standards and are eligible for professional memberships.
Health Coaches Australia & New Zealand Association (HCANZA)
The professional body for Health Coaches in Australia and New Zealand, ensuring high standards and professional development.
UK & International Health Coaching Association (UKIHCA)
The leading global association for Health Coaches, setting the benchmark for professional training. PREKURE’s Mental Health Coach Programme is approved by UKIHCA as CPD.
Health Coach Alliance (HCA)
Advocating for the role of Health Coaches in healthcare and supporting ethical, high-quality coaching practices.
University-Level Learning, Without the Bureaucracy
We’re not a university – and that’s a good thing. Our learning has been independently assessed at the same level as a university qualification. But unlike traditional institutions, where curriculum updates can take years to reflect new science, we move fast.
Our training is designed for real-world impact, with content that evolves in real time – staying aligned with the latest evidence-based research in metabolic health, nutrition, mental wellbeing, and behaviour change medicine. You can learn more about our accreditations here.
NZQA and Micro-Credential Equivalency
PREKURE’s Health Coach programme has been independently assessed by the NZQA as having micro-credential equivalency of 30 credits (300 notational learning hours) at Level 5 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). Our mental health coursework included in the Mental Health Coach Programme, has been assessed as having equivalency of 30 credits (300 notational hours) at Level 7 on the NZQCF. At this level, learning becomes more advanced, with a focus on critical thinking, in-depth scientific knowledge, and professional application.
This micro-credential equivalency means our programmes meet rigorous educational standards while remaining flexible, practical, and focused on real-world coaching skills.
