The three threads to becoming a Mental Health Coach

Immediate practical skills

Foundational focus:

  • Foundations of emotional health and well-being

  • Mental Health 101

  • Grief and loss support

  • Distress and de-escalation

  • Basic suicide prevention and building a team of support for immediate safety

  • Conflict resolution

  • Supporting people with drug and alcohol dependency

  • Youth issues

  • Values, boundaries, professionalism and confidentiality

  • Safety regarding home visits

  • The importance of self-care

 

Theoretical and clinical education

Academic focus:

  • Empathy, ‘theory of mind’ and the therapeutic relationship

  • Assessment and allocating aid (referral) based on need (assessment)

  • Trauma informed care

  • Foundational psychological theories/counselling techniques – ACT, CBT etc.

  • Grief, loss, distress, emotion regulation and de-escalation

  • Common chronic presentations: anxiety, depression

  • Suicide assessment and safety plans

  • Drug and alcohol dependency

  • Ethical concerns, boundaries and referral

  • Cultural competence

  • Youth Issues—a deeper understanding

  • Self-care and recovery; supervision and collegiality; teamwork

  • Protocols and professionalism

 

Pastoral/spiritual education

Theological focus:

  • Christian faith and pastoral care model

  • Spiritual intercession and prayer

  • Ethics and boundaries

  • Personal self-awareness and spiritual formation (journaling etc.)