Mental health has become a prominent topic in today’s society, as more people are becoming aware of the issue and speaking openly about their struggles. This is leading to an increase in demand for mental health coaches.
These professionals help clients manage their mental health issues by providing them with support and advice tailored to their needs. Becoming a mental health coach requires obtaining certification, which often comes with several prerequisites and challenging tests.
Below, we take a look at the mental health coach certification process for becoming a mental health coach and what you need to do to achieve your goals.
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What Does a Mental Health Coach Do?
People who become mental health coaches often work with clients who are dealing with issues like stress, anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. They help their clients manage their mental health by providing them with support, encouragement, and advice tailored to their needs.
The nature of the job makes it important for coaches to be able to build strong, supportive relationships with their clients. For this reason, it doesn’t come off as much of a surprise that coaches work with people from all walks of life, including the elderly, students, and people in the workplace.
A lot of mental health coaches also work online, enabling them to work with clients from all over the world.
Prerequisites for Becoming a Mental Health Coach
There are no set requirements for becoming a mental health coach, as the role is unregulated. As such, there is no official license that you must obtain before you can practice as a mental health coach. That said, many coaches do select to obtain certification.
Some of the most well-known certification options include the following:
- ACA Coach Certification
- Coaches Training Institute
- International Coach Federation Certification
- NCC Coach Certification
To obtain one of these certifications, you will first need to meet certain prerequisites. These include holding at least a bachelor’s degree, having a certain amount of supervised coaching experience, and passing a certification exam.
The amount of experience you need will depend on the type of coaching you want to do. For example, aspiring coaches who wish to work with children and teenagers will need to have at least one year of experience. Those who wish to work with adults will need to have at least two years of experience.
How To Become a Certified Mental Health Coach
The process for becoming a mental health coach certification varies depending on the type of certification you obtain.
Depending on the organization, you might have to take a series of assessments. These assessments will test your knowledge of coaching skills and techniques. Some organizations may also require you to submit a sample coaching session or a written case study.
After you pass these tests, you will be invited to take the final certification exam. This exam is designed to test your knowledge of coaching theory and application. To prepare, you can study by reviewing sample questions and practicing tests so that you are ready for the real thing.
Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification and be able to practice as a mental health coach.
Final Words: Is Becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Worth It?
Becoming a licensed mental health counselor is a challenging process, one that can take months, or even years, depending on your circumstances.
That said, the benefits of licensure are numerous. It can help you to earn higher wages and be more competitive in the job market, while also allowing you to help more people in a wide range of settings.
If you are passionate about serving others and have a desire to help people improve their mental health, certification is definitely worth it.