Is Mental Wellness Coaching Right for You?

Most of us want to feel happier. To get there, we promise ourselves that we’ll meditate, exercise, and prioritize self care.

But life can get in the way of achieving those goals. We have deadlines to meet. Appointments to make. Sometimes, we’re just too overwhelmed by our thoughts and feelings to take the first step. Other times, we know what we need to do but struggle to put that plan into action.

It’s tough to do all this work by yourself, so why should you? Think about it: When you need help achieving your goals at school, you work with a tutor. When you want to see more results at the gym, you hire a trainer.

Mental wellness is no different. And that’s why working with a mental wellness coach (also known as a behavioral coach) can be so beneficial.

Research shows that virtual mental wellness coaching can help people reduce stress and improve their mental well-being.¹ And with AbleTo’s program, results are possible in as little as 8 weeks.²

So how can you know if a mental wellness coach is right for you? The first step is to understand exactly what they do.

What’s a mental wellness coach?

Mental wellness coaches are caring guides who motivate and support you in reaching your goals. They help get you moving in the right direction. But they’re not there to tell you what to do or try to fix your problems. It’s more of an equal partnership. Your coach has knowledge and expertise on behavior change, but you’re the expert on your life.

“The coach isn’t driving the car,” says AbleTo Coach Advisor Carolyn Oldham. “The coach is sitting in the passenger seat, ready to offer whatever support you need. We ask the right questions so that you can gain the insights you need to make the changes you want to see.”

How is coaching different from therapy?

Coaching may seem similar to therapy. And while they are complementary — many people benefit from working with a coach and a therapist — there are a couple of big differences.

First, therapists are licensed by their state boards to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. These disorders are often severe enough to interfere with someone’s day-to-day life. Second, therapists often look at their client’s past to try to find out how any unhelpful thought or behavior patterns started.

While people with mental health diagnoses can work with a coach, coaching isn’t meant to diagnose nor treat mental health disorders. Nor will a coach delve into a client’s past. Instead, coaches use techniques rooted in motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy to help their clients achieve their mental wellness goals.

“Coaching is forward focused,” says Oldham. “We look at where you are now, where you want to go, and how you’re going to get there.”

Still have questions? Check out Everything You Need to Know About Coaching at AbleTo.

5 signs mental wellness coaching might be right for you

Before we dive in, remember: If you’re dealing with emotional challenges that are significantly impacting your daily life, therapy may be a better choice for you. At least to start.

If not, one of these 5 signs may point to coaching as a good fit:

• You need help creating mental wellness goals that are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound
• You’re more likely to stay on track if you regularly check in with someone
• You want to explore unhelpful thought or behavior patterns keeping you “stuck”
• You want to develop more self-awareness
• You want to learn mental wellness skills that you can use in your day-to-day life

If any of these signs ring true for you, then you’d be a great candidate for coaching.

Build toward better days

If you’re eager to improve your mental wellness, working with a coach can be a great option. Sure, you could go it alone. But would it be nice to have the guidance of a professional?

“People don’t fit neatly into boxes,” says Oldham. “Mental wellness support shouldn’t either. With coaching, you get flexible support tailored to your unique needs and goals.”

Still have reservations about working with a coach? That’s normal. Read 7 Fears About Coaching and Therapy — Debunked and think it over. AbleTo coaches are ready when you are.

Sources

1. Lungu, A, Boone MS, Chen SY, Chen CE, Walser RD. Effectiveness of a Cognitive Behavioral Coaching Program Delivered via Video in Real World Settings. Telemedicine and e-Health. 2021;27(1). https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2019.0313

2. Internal AbleTo book of business analysis to evaluate change in anxiety symptoms (PHQ-9) among 638 Coaching+ program graduates who completed 3 or more coaching calls and 3 or more digital modules with clinical assessment between 1/1/24 – 12/31/24. February 2025.