So, what the heck is a mental health coach anyway??
By Naomi Tapia
I used to be skeptical of life coaches.
That’s because, sadly, the only times I heard about them was when loved ones were being scammed, taken advantage of, and lied to. It broke my heart seeing my loved ones needing help, not receiving it, and leaving with a huge sense of distrust in seeking help again. Here’s why I changed my mind…
Once I started working in the mental health field, I found hope. I’ve been lucky enough to work hand in hand with coaches that help people heal. It was then when I realized, I don’t hate coaches, I hate liars. Coaches can be super helpful if you know what you’re looking for.
One of the most important things when looking for a coach is to understand what a coach really is…
Action: Most people look for a coach because they are ready to make a change. They are ready to make active changes to improve their quality of life.
Accountability: Often, these same people want someone to hold them accountable to execute the changes they want to incorporate in their life. Life coaches can help hold clients accountable by offering different kinds of services to help meet a client’s needs.
Access: Unlike therapists, coaches can be more accessible for people. Sometimes people find their “perfect match,” only to find out they can’t work with them because of license limitations. Coaching allows for people to be helped by the person they want, regardless of their location.
A coach is NOT a therapist.
Therapy is…
Introspection: Many people come to therapy overwhelmed with emotions and confused as to why they feel the way they feel. Therapy helps clients looks within themselves to understand the “why.”
Insight: Through the process of introspection, clients gain awareness on their behaviors and begin acknowledging areas of improvement. The awareness in itself often leads to big epiphanies and changes.
Illumination: Imagine you are on a hike in the dark. You’re walking, but you can’t see where you’re going. Therapy serves as a flashlight by guiding and supporting clients through unfamiliar paths. By the time clients complete therapy, they will have a belt with a flashlight and other various tools to use when they feel like they’re walking in the dark.
Coaches do not:
Explore origins of issues
Treat trauma (i.e. sexual assault, childhood abuse)
Diagnose or treat mental health issues
Where therapists dive in to help clients understand and heal the “why” behind their daily struggles, coaches trust the client has already done the work to understand why and provide a more solution focused approach with clear goals and steps.
As a therapist and coach, it has been extremely important for me to highlight the differences when clients reach out seeking for help. I hope this helps you find your “perfect match.”