Mental Health Coaching: A Proactive Approach to Workplace Wellbeing

Mental health coaching is increasingly recognised as a valuable component of a company’s mental health “toolbox.” It offers a proactive and personalised way to support employee wellbeing, complementing other resources such as digital mental health platforms and mental health aiders.

In this piece, we take a closer look at what mental health coaching entails and how it can fit into a modern workplace.

What is a Mental Health Coach?

A mental health coach is a trained, non-clinical professional who supports individuals in:

Building coping skills and emotional resilience

Managing workplace and life stressors

Setting and achieving personal and professional goals

Empowering employees to take charge of their wellbeing in a proactive, stigma-free way

Coaching Frameworks

Coaches use proven techniques to help individuals develop practical skills for handling everyday challenges. Sessions are typically action-oriented and tailored to each person’s unique circumstances.

Some of the most widely recognised coaching frameworks include:

GROW: Goal - Reality - Options - Way Forward

Defines what the client wants to achieve with clear, measurable objectives, explores the current situation from strengths to challenges, and brainstorms strategies to bridge the gap.

CLEAR: Contracting - Listening - Exploring - Action - Review

Establishes a coaching agreement, deeply understands the client’s perspective, examines the goal in detail, co-creates action steps, and reviews progress.

STEPPA: Subject - Target - Emotion - Perception - Plan - Pace - Adapt

Places strong emphasis on emotions as motivators or barriers to achievement, making it especially useful when strong feelings are part of the client’s challenge.

OSKAR: Outcome - Scaling - Know-how - Action - Review

A solution-focused framework that helps clients clarify goals, focus on strengths, and create actionable plans — popular in workplace and performance coaching.

How Coaches Differ from Therapists

• Credentials: Coaches often have a background in coaching, wellness, or psychology but are not licensed mental health professionals. Therapists are licensed with advanced clinical training.
• Focus: Coaches take a proactive, forward-looking approach to build skills and resilience. Therapists focus on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders and may address past trauma.
• Services: Coaches offer action plans, stress management tools, and resilience-building strategies. Therapists provide assessments, formal diagnosis, therapy, and sometimes medication support.

Benefits of Coaching

1. Goal Setting

Coaches help employees clarify priorities, break down goals into actionable steps, and stay accountable, leading to progress in personal and professional areas.

Breaking down goals into small steps helps build momentum.

2. Stress Management

Through personalised strategies and practical tools, coaching empowers individuals to respond effectively to workplace pressures, reducing the risk of overwhelm and burnout.

3. Resilience Building

Regular sessions strengthen adaptability, confidence, and psychological flexibility — enabling employees to handle change and setbacks with greater ease.

How Companies Can Integrate Coaching

Successful organisations don’t just offer coaching sessions — they embed it into workplace culture. Effective strategies include:

• Combining Coaching with Digital Platforms: Use tools like Siffi to offer self-guided resources, 24/7 support, and evidence-based tools alongside live coaching.
• Embedding Coaching into Culture: Schedule regular, voluntary sessions and promote their benefits to reduce stigma.
• Encouraging Peer Learning: Create communities and resource libraries to foster shared support.

Digital mental health platforms like Siffi can complement live coaching.

Are Coaches More Accessible Than Therapists?

Coaches are often easier to access because they aren’t bound by licensing requirements or the need for a clinical diagnosis. They are frequently available through workplace programs or digital platforms, with fewer wait times and less stigma.

Therapists remain essential for clinical concerns, but availability can be limited, costs higher, and stigma greater. Coaching should not replace therapy for mental health conditions, but it can be a powerful complementary resource.

Final Thoughts

Mental health coaches play a valuable role in today’s workplace by empowering individuals to manage both their mental health and work responsibilities. When paired with digital mental health platforms, companies can create an inclusive, scalable, and impactful approach to employee wellbeing — fostering a culture where everyone can thrive.