Coaching Can Improve Mental Health Symptoms and Resilience

"When we think about getting help for our mental health, therapy is often the first-and sometimes only-option that comes to mind. Therapy works, and for many people it is essential. But it is not the only effective path. Emerging evidence suggests that well‑designed coaching -especially when delivered inside an adaptive, stepped‑care model-can help people feel better faster, build emotional skills, and relieve pressure on an overburdened clinical system (Sagui Henson et al.)."

"A peer‑reviewed study in Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research followed working adults using a blended digital platform. On average, participants completed about 2.5 coaching sessions over three months and reported reductions in depression (≈22.5 percent) and anxiety (≈12 percent), with gains in distress tolerance, self‑compassion, mindfulness, and perceived stress. About 72 percent of those with elevated symptoms improved or recovered, while about 96 percent of lower‑risk users maintained low symptom levels-consistent with coaching as both a treatment‑adjacent and preventive resource (Sagui Henson et al.)."

"From a clinical perspective, coaching's appeal is two‑fold. First, it targets transdiagnostic capacities-such as distress tolerance, self‑compassion, and stress management -that cut across diagnoses and everyday challenges. Second, it is approachable and scalable for people who may hesitate to start therapy: Earlier, lower‑intensity support can prevent escalation while preserving therapy for situations in which clinical intervention is warranted (Sagui Henson et al.)."

Brief, tech-enabled coaching delivered via blended digital platforms often requires only two to three sessions to produce measurable improvements. Working adults completing about 2.5 coaching sessions over three months reported average reductions in depression (~22.5%) and anxiety (~12%), and gains in distress tolerance, self-compassion, mindfulness, and perceived stress. Approximately 72% of participants with elevated symptoms improved or recovered, while about 96% of lower-risk users maintained low symptom levels. Coaching targets transdiagnostic capacities, is approachable and scalable, can prevent escalation, and can preserve therapy for cases requiring clinical intervention. Systems that match intensity to need and adapt over time produce the strongest outcomes.

Read at Psychology Today