What’s the Difference Between a Mental Health Coach and Therapist?

Mental health coaches are National Board-Certified Health and Wellness certified and have additional training in mental health support. While they don't diagnose clinical conditions, they can help you with everyday hiccups. They focus on preventive care, helping you improve your mental wellbeing by working on things like setting healthy boundaries, life transitions, managing stress, burnout and more.

Here’s what mental health coaches can do for you: 

• Help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
• Teach you positive habits that reduce stress and help you feel better.
• Guide you through life changes, like starting a new job or relationship.
• Help to feel more confident and in control of your life. 

Here’s what mental health coaches cannot do:

• Diagnose mental health conditions.
• Prescribe medication
• Be a substitute for therapy for moderate/severe mental health conditions

What Does a Mental Health Therapist Do?

Mental health therapist are licensed clinicians with a master's or doctoral degree in counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, or psychology. They have completed extensive graduate education, supervised clinical training, and have a state license to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Therapists use evidence-based therapy techniques to address a wide range of issues. 

Here’s what our therapists can do: 

• Diagnose and treat mental health conditions
• Provide evidence-based therapy to support your mental health 
• Help you figure out what’s causing your emotional or mental struggles.
• Teach you ways to cope with difficult feelings and heal from deeper issues. 
  
• Build long-term relationships with no session limits

Therapist cannot prescribe medication. 

No matter what type of mental health provider you choose, know that all visits are always confidential with your best interest in mind. Ready to talk? Schedule a visit to get started!