If someone is experiencing anxiety or stress, having an intensity of emotions and feelings that are significantly affecting one’s thinking or functioning, that could be an apt opportunity for using mental health resources.
For those who have a Christian faith, it’s very valuable to have their faith as a part of their personal recovery process. In contrast, secular psychology or counseling often leaves out the powerful resources of faith, spirituality, and religion. When someone is struggling with mental health symptoms, one can use all the help available—personally, medically, therapeutically, relationally, socially, spiritually, physically, nutritionally, somatically, and so on.
How Severe are the Symptoms?
To determine the severity of the mental health symptoms, take a Mental Health Test from Mental Health America or this free self-assessment powered MindWise. These online screening tools can quickly give a snapshot of one’s mental health and provide suggested resources for treatment and recovery. if mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, would are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. If the results indicate one might be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, one would be advised to schedule an appointment with a mental health provider, such as a doctor or a therapist, to get professional help.
a Mental Health Coach vs. a Counselor
A licensed counselor, therapist, or psychologist, is someone with a relevant college degree, have had many hours of supervised clinical work & practice, and abide by laws and ethics on a per state basis.
A mental health coach does have training and education, but would provide their services without state-sanctioned regulation. A code of ethics may be adhered to voluntarily.
This diagram chart shows the different and similar characteristics of counselors and coaches—
Here’s another way to describe the difference: “[Psychologists] focus more on things like deep-rooted issues, trauma, some stuff from childhood, whereas life coaching [is] more about the everyday working on your daily habits and building on your mindset.“
Talk with a Christian Mental Health Coach
I’m available to serve and help someone you know as a Christian mental health coach. With my completed training and lived experiences, I can offer the following benefits:
- Access resources easily, quickly, and at a lower cost
- Help individuals manage their symptoms more effectively
- Help individuals grow closer to God
- Act as a bridge between the individual, family, and the mental healthcare system
- Be a point on the healthcare continuum that currently does not exist
Let’s talk by video or by voice to discuss whether I can help your situation. The first call is free. I plan to make my services as a Christian mental health coach available in a pay-it-forward pricing model, so I can help as many people as possible.
NOTE: Coaches are not health care providers. They may benefit health, but they are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always seek the advice of a qualified heath care provider.
about Christian Mental Health Coach Training
According the American Association of Christian Counselors, over 7,500 Mental Health Coach First Responders have completed its training program. From what I can tell, many (or most?) of these Christian mental health coaches provide their services in conjuction with a local church and probably in-person only. There are a few coaches I found who provide their services virtually online.
MENTAL HEALTH COACH First Responder Training (Light University)
Mental Health Coach Series includes three on-demand courses, consisting of 40 total hours of training. The first course will provide students with an orientation to the field of mental health coaching. Topics covered include the role and scope of mental health coaching within the local church, ethical guidelines and professional standards in coaching, crisis intervention techniques, and the integration of faith and biblical wisdom in coaching. The second course will discuss the fundamental theories and skills of Christ-centered mental health coaching. Key elements of the coaching process, including methods of change, listening, effective communication, giving hope, small groups, and counseling theory, will be discussed. In the third course, students will learn the fundamentals of mental and behavioral health disorders, the causes of mental disorders, as well as conventional treatments. Conditions discussed include addiction, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Certified Mental Health Coach Code of Ethics consists of 16 principles.
More about differences between coaching and counseling
How Do Coaching, Mentoring, and Counseling Differ? (PositivePsychology.com)
What is the Difference Between Coaching and Counseling? (Tacoma Christian Counseling)
Mental health coaches filling the gaps during pandemic (CBC News)