So, you’re thinking of becoming a mental health coach?
Chances are, you might’ve seen other people struggle with their mental health or have undergone a mental healing journey of your own. These experiences highlight how crucial mental well-being is in our lives.
And then suddenly, eureka! You’re struck with ideas on how to address the need for mental health care. It clicked in your head how you can use your expertise to offer guidance and support.
If you feel like you’re being called down this path but don’t know where to start, this comprehensive article will take you through:
- What mental health coaches do and what you need to succeed
- The difference between a life coach, a mental health coach and a therapist
- How to become a mental health coach (key attributes and training)
- How to price your coaching services and how much mental health coaches earn
- Tips for starting and growing your coaching business
This article will show you how to extract your genius. Let’s turn your passion into a high-impact, highly profitable business.
What Is a Mental Health Coach?
Mental health coaches provide overall mental support to their clients. You direct clients towards healthier thought and behavioral patterns so they can move forward in life.
It’s not about diagnosing or curing them. You work with clients to help them gain a fresh perspective and overcome challenges better.
- “I want to help my clients manage anxiety at work without overwhelm.”
- “I can teach my clients how to set boundaries without feeling guilty about saying no.”
- “I want to help my clients build self-confidence after burnout.”
If you relate to these statements, then this coaching path is for you.
Remember: Mental health coaches cannot diagnose mental illness, mental health disorders and mental health issues. Clients can only get a diagnosis from a therapist.
Life coach vs mental health coach vs therapist
Mental health coaches, life coaches and therapists all help people thrive. They care for an individual’s well-being, but with different scopes and outcomes.
- Life coach: You help people overcome obstacles so they can live their best life. Best for people looking for a life upgrade, accountability and growth.
- Mental health coach: You manage the mental well-being of clients and address mild mental health concerns like stress, anxiety, burnout and emotional struggles. Best for clients who want clear action steps and strategies and not deep emotional processing.
- Therapist: You diagnose and provide treatment for mental health conditions using clinical methods like cognitive behavioral therapy. Best for people who have been diagnosed and have unresolved trauma that needs unpacking.
What Is Mental Health Coaching?
Mental health coaching is all about supporting the well-being of clients, mentally and emotionally.
It’s the process of helping people improve their mental health and achieve their mental health goals. Think of it as having a personal coach but for your mind.
It covers the different areas of mental health, like:
- Developing positive change
- Building coping skills and mechanisms
- Building resilience
- Managing stress and anxiety
What does a mental health coach do?
What you do as a mental health coach is become someone clients can turn to when life feels heavy and they want a way forward.
As a mental health coach, your role is to guide, not fix.
Here’s what that usually looks like:
- Set clear, realistic goals. You might help a client who’s been feeling burnt out set a goal to leave work by 6 PM three days a week.
- Create simple action plans. Say your client wants to feel less anxious in the mornings. You’d work together to build a 15-minute morning routine they can actually stick to.
- Unpack unhelpful thought patterns. If someone keeps saying “I’m not good enough,” you’d help them notice where that shows up and how to reframe it.
- Support healthy habit-building. You could guide a client to build better sleep habits or reduce screen time before bed, one small shift at a time.
- Hold space and ask better questions. Instead of giving advice, you’d ask things like, “What would support look like for you right now?” so they can find their own answers.
- Keep them accountable. If they commit to journaling once a day or going on weekly walks, you’ll check in and help them stay consistent.
- Know when to refer out. If a client starts showing signs of depression or trauma, you’ll encourage them to connect with a licensed mental health professional.
Why do people hire a mental health coach?
Clients usually don’t hire a mental health coach because they want to “set goals” or “build self-awareness.” They reach out because something in their life feels off and they want support to make sense of it.
Here are a few specific situations that often push people to take that first step:
- They’re stuck in a toxic job but too burned out to make a move: They want help building the confidence and mental clarity to leave or set boundaries.
- They’ve just gone through a major life change (like a breakup or big move): They’re trying to adjust emotionally and want tools to manage anxiety or grief.
- They’ve tried therapy, but now they want forward momentum: Some clients have done the deep work and are now ready for action-based support from a coach.
- They’re high-achievers dealing with quiet stress behind the scenes: On the outside, everything looks great. But internally, they’re exhausted and overwhelmed.
- They want to finally stop spiraling into negative thinking: They’re aware of the patterns but need real structure and accountability to shift them.
- They don’t feel ‘bad enough’ for therapy but still want support: These clients want someone to talk to regularly, especially when life feels heavy but they don’t meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis.
How to Become a Mental Health Coach
Mental health coaches offer essential mental care to clients hoping to transform their lives. To become a mental health coach, you need to equip yourself with the right training, coaching skills, and a deep understanding of mental wellness principles.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
Step 1: Understand your role
Learn about what your client expects from you and what services you can provide as a mental health coach.
Be clear about the difference between coaching and therapy. Mental health coaches do not treat mental illness. You’ll refer clients to licensed therapists if there’s a need.
Step 2: Choose a niche
Specialize in one area of mental health. Consider your passion, expertise, and experience to find a common ground you can thrive on.
You can also look for an existing problem in the industry and think of a unique solution you’d provide.
Here are a few examples of niches for mental health coaches:
- Trauma-informed care
- Burnout prevention and recovery
- Retirement wellness
- Parenting stress
- First responder resilience
- Remote work wellness
Step 3: Learn about mental health (and get certified)
Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and techniques to help your coaching practice.
You’re not required to have a specific degree or to join a certification program, but a basic background on psychology and counseling helps. You can undergo a training program to become a health and wellness coach.
If you do want to explore certifications, consider the following:
- Basic coaching certifications accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or the National Board for Health.
- Specialized mental health coach training from Professional Education Systems Institute (PESI).
Getting these credentials will not only deepen your expertise but will also give you a competitive advantage over other mental health coaches.
Step 4: Gain experience
Learn the ropes by testing the waters and gaining valuable insights. Start by doing volunteer mental health coaching sessions or working under a mentorship program.
You can also gauge what works and what doesn’t by launching your own workshop. Share your knowledge and interact with your dream clients. You’ll establish yourself as an authority in the industry and also connect with potential leads.
Gaining these practical experiences will help you develop your blueprint and hone your unique coaching style.
Step 5: Set up your mental health coaching business
If you’re ready to start your health coaching business and take on clients of your own, here’s what you have to do:
- Set up any business requirements: Decide on a business name and register your coaching practice.
- Gear up with technology: Prepare any tools you’d need (e.g., Zoom for online calls, Calendly for scheduling).
- Create an irresistible offer: Craft a coaching program that suits the needs of your dream clients (e.g., one-on-one sessions, group coaching, memberships). Decide how long each session will be and how much you’ll charge for each one.
- Promote yourself: Attract clients through different marketing strategies (e.g., email newsletters, social media like Instagram, LinkedIn, virtual events, and podcast guesting).
- Get insurance: Consider getting a health coach liability insurance to cover all your needs.
Step 6: Continuously learn
Stay updated on new mental health practices. Keep tabs on industry developments and research.
You can also sharpen your knowledge by taking courses. Just as athletes train to stay competitive, you should also keep learning to constantly improve and find ways to better support your clients.
Different types of mental health coaches
There are many types of coaches who address different mental health needs. Here are a few types and real-life examples:
1. Mental health wellness coach
Best for: Busy individuals living imbalanced lives and are feeling burned out
Mental health wellness coaches focus on a person’s lifestyle balance. They help clients manage pressure and improve self-care habits (sleep, nutrition, mindfulness).
Joe Roe is a mental health coach who inspires people to “get back their mojo” and move from chaos to calm.
2. Mental health performance coach
Best for: Professionals, executives, and generally, individuals under pressure
A mental health performance coach provides mental care to clients in high-stress environments. They help them achieve stable confidence and deal with concerns like performance anxiety, perfectionism, and impostor syndrome.
Ed Mylett combines spirituality and actionable strategies to help individuals and companies reach their peak performance.
3. Mental health fitness coach
Best for: Clients recovering from setbacks and need a confidence boost
Mental fitness coaches treat the mind like a “muscle that needs training”. They develop a person’s mental resilience and emotional strength using a mental workout plan.
Maya Raichoora is one of the leading experts in mental fitness and visualization. Her mission is to make mental fitness as common as physical fitness.
4. Mental health coach for athletes
Best for: Competitive athletes, sports coaches or fitness professionals
Mental health coaches for athletes specialize in sports psychology, addressing concerns like performance slumps and competition anxiety.
Dr. Lara Pence helps athletes develop a resilient mind and strong values. This combo inspires peak performance under pressure with integrity.
5. Holistic mental health coach
Best for: Spiritually inclined clients or clients who want to try alternative therapy approaches
A holistic mental health coach focuses on the interconnectedness of the body, mind and spirit to address any imbalances in their client’s life. They integrate general wellness practices similar to a wellness coach.
Amy Schamberg is passionate about holistic health and wellness. She believes that using functional medicine fulfills the needs of both the physical body and the mind.
6. Mental health coach online
Best for: Remote workers of clients who prefer virtual support.
Online mental coaches conduct coaching sessions via video calls, apps, or messaging. Some provide general mental health care while others specialize in digital wellness (e.g., social media anxiety).
Headspace mental health coaches provide three text-based sessions and live chat. You can connect with them via their website or app.
What Do You Need to Be a Mental Health Coach?
To become a mental health coach, you need a blend of coaching skills and personal traits to positively impact your client’s emotional well-being.
Here’s a list of key attributes you must have:
- Active listening skills: Make your clients feel seen and heard. Validate what they’re experiencing before you offer advice.
- Emotional intelligence: Understand even the things they don’t say. Notice their tone and non-verbal cues and respond accordingly.
- Empathy and non-judgment: Show compassion instead of pointing blame. Help clients process their situation without feeling shame.
- Coaching techniques: Help clients achieve their goals using proven coaching frameworks.
- Awareness of mental health practices: Have a basic knowledge of how to provide mental health and wellness support.
Do you need a degree to become a mental health coach?
No, a degree in psychology or a related field is not required. But clients prefer certified mental health coaches or those with a master’s degree in psychology.
Consider getting a degree or a certification if you want to build credibility. It shows clients that you’ve taken the extra step to dive deep into the practice.
3 mental health coach certification courses
- Coaching for Mental Well-being (Wellcoaches Center of Coaching Excellence): Provides a general overview of mental health coaching. This covers topics from recognizing factors that lead to declining mental health to learning when to refer clients to treatment specialists.
- Mental Toughness course (National Academy of Sports Medicine): For mental health coaches who want to specialize in sports, this certification is perfect for developing mental fitness and resiliency. It will show you how to increase commitment and confidence in athletes and to respond to performance-related anxiety.
- IPEC Certified Professional Coach (CPC) + Energy Leadership (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching): Become a certified mental health coach who blends mental health care with leadership and personal growth. This three-in-one program focuses on honing emotional intelligence and energy-based mindset shifts.
How Much Do Mental Health Coaches Make?
The salary of mental health coaches in the US varies, but it comes up to an average of $64,000. Factors like experience, location, and client agreements affect this figure.
Here’s an overview of a mental health coach’s annual income depending on experience:
- Beginner (0-2 years): $30,000-$60,000
- Mid-level (3-5 years): $60,000-$100,000
- Expert (5+ years, with niche focus): $100,000-$250,000+
How much does a mental health coach cost?
As a mental health coach, your pricing can be influenced by factors like your credentials, your niche, and the demand for your services. Coaches with more experience and a highly defined niche can charge more for their sessions.
You can also price your services differently depending on your coaching format. More intensive programs are priced higher.
Here’s a ballpark that you can refer to:
- New coaches: $50-$100 per session
- Experienced coaches: $100-$200 per session
- Niche coaches: $200-$500 per session
- Group coaching: $50-$500 per session
- Online courses: $200-$1,000
- VIP Mastermind: $1,500-$5,000
- Retreats: $3,000-$10,000
How to Start a Mental Health Coaching Business?
Starting a mental health coaching business is more than knowing mindfulness techniques. You also have to nail down the business aspect and attract paying clients.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.
- Identify your target audience: Define who your dream clients are. Understand the mental health challenges they’re experiencing and think of ways you can address them.
- Build your brand: What makes you stand out from other coaches? Outline your unique coaching journey and how it shaped your current practice.
- Create an irresistible Magic Pill Offer: Extract your genius and create your coaching package. Focus on what clients actually need and the best way to get them results.
- Market yourself and leverage other people’s audiences: Establish both online and offline presence. Connect with other professionals and ask for referrals, or host your own virtual event to get in front of people.
- Adapt a sales funnel that works: Nourish leads and connections with proven sales strategies. Follow sales scripts to help you confidently convert clients.
- Post about client success stories: Build social proof and gain trust by showcasing the positive feedback you get.
Start Your Coaching Career Today
Becoming a mental health coach isn’t just about going down a career path. You’re going to make meaningful changes in the lives of other people. Picture happier, more mentally resilient clients.
To get to that big picture, you have to ensure your own success as a coach. Getting the right training and tools helps you help your clients.
If you’re ready to start your coaching business and equip yourself with a proven system that will grow it, this 3-Step Blueprint is for you.
Learn how to:
- Create your highly profitable, highly scalable offer and find premium clients
- Funnel in high-quality leads from other people’s audiences
- Sell confidently and naturally with tried-and-tested scripts
This is the roadmap to achieving your dream of becoming a highly-paid mental health coach. Follow the path. Take action and move forward.
Get the Highly-Paid Coach Blueprint Today
