“Rewriting My Freaking Life”
Erin wasn't entirely sure what he'd signed up for.
He came into his first mental health coaching session with First Stop Health Mental Health Coach Jeanne Torre without really knowing what coaching was supposed to look like. But he was willing to try.
After that first conversation, he told Jeanne:
“I'm not sure what I just unloaded there, but I like it.”
And he wanted to keep going. What followed wasn't one dramatic transformation, but a series of changes that began reaching into different parts of his life.
One Conversation Opened the Door to Another
As Erin continued working with Jeanne, his stress began to improve and so did his relationships. Then he decided he wanted to quit smoking.
Jeanne didn't have to send him away to figure out that next step himself. Because she was part of a larger care team, she could connect Erin with a coach who specialized in smoking cessation.
The appointment was scheduled during their session.
“He loved how easy it was,” Jeanne remembers. “I loved how easy it was.”
Erin could work with someone who had expertise in his new health goal while continuing the mental health coaching he'd already started. His care expanded as his goals did.
Then Something Changed at Work
Erin had also been thinking about leaving his job. At the time, another position seemed like it might solve many of the problems he was experiencing.
But through coaching, he started getting clearer about what he actually needed.
Instead of immediately leaving, Erin had a conversation with his boss. That conversation changed the trajectory.
Together, they found a solution that worked for both of them. Erin stayed with a company he'd been with for a long time, and he was happier with the situation.
The answer wasn't necessarily a new job. It was understanding what needed to change and feeling prepared to ask for it.
Less Than a Year Later
Erin's progress showed up across his life.
His relationships were better.
His health was better.
His experience at work was better.
And when Jeanne asked him about the impact of coaching, Erin had his own way of describing it:
“Engaging in this has resulted in me rewriting my freaking life.”
Not your typical healthcare testimonial.
Sometimes the First Step Is Simply Starting
Erin didn't begin coaching with a perfectly defined goal or a detailed plan for changing his life. He wasn't even sure what mental health coaching was. He started with a conversation.
From there, one goal led to another. Mental health support connected to a physical health goal. Greater clarity led to a difficult conversation at work. Small changes began affecting relationships, health and everyday life.
That's what connected care can look like in practice.
Meeting patients where they are, helping them identify what comes next and making that next step a little easier to take. For Erin, those steps added up to something much bigger.
Compassionate care makes a difference. See what's possible.
Before Burnout: How Mental Health Coaching Supports Lasting Change
Jeanne Torre, Mental Health Coach
Provider Perspective
