Can a life coach help with depression? Key facts to know.

Understanding how a life coach can help with depression

Lifestyle changes and mindset work are also important parts of the depression puzzle. Whether it’s helping you stick to healthy habits or improving your resilience, a life coach can be a great part of your support team. In this article, we’ll explore how a personalized coaching program such as Fingerprint for Success (F4S) can help you improve your mental health and achieve your life goals.

What is a life coach vs a psychologist, therapist and counselor?

Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or for a loved one, it’s important to understand the different types of support available. This will allow you to choose the best mental health provider for your needs.

How do psychiatrists help with depression?

Psychiatrists are medical health providers (ie. doctors) who specialize in mental health. They are able to diagnose mental health disorders and prescribe medication. Typically, psychiatrists do not provide talk therapy. Their primary role is to create treatment plans, making them an important resource for those with clinical depression. You will require a referral from a doctor or psychologist to see a psychiatrist.

How do psychologists help with depression?

Like psychiatrists, psychologists are highly trained mental health professionals. However, they are not doctors and can not prescribe medication. The primary role of the psychologist is to assess and treat clients. They tend to work with clients long-term to help them understand the root cause of their issues, and manage the daily symptoms. There are many different types of psychologists, and they specialize in different modalities. For example, CBT, Jungian or Gestalt psychology are common approaches.

How do therapists help with depression?

Psychotherapists and psychologists are similar, in that they both offer talk therapy. However, the primary role of therapy is to provide a safe space for sharing, while psychologists also focus on analysis. Like a psychologist, a therapist may bring different therapeutic styles into their work to create a holistic approach. They can help with depression by providing a structured way to talk through what the client is experiencing.

How do counselors help with depression?

A common misconception is that therapists and counselors are the same thing. However, there are important differences. Firstly, they undergo different tertiary pathways. The field of counseling is not regulated and therefore, does not require a university or college degree. However, that’s not to say that counselors don’t play an important role in treating depression. They tend to work with clients on more specific, short-term issues (such as addiction or relationship issues). Meanwhile, psychologists and therapists typically work long-term with the client to identity patterns.

How do life coaches help with depression?

It’s important to know that life coaches are not licensed mental health professionals. This means they are not able to help with a depression diagnosis, treatment, or crisis support. However, they can still play an invaluable role in helping clients with depression. A life coach is someone who works with clients to make progress with their life and career goals. They can also help clients set and track health and wellness habits to better manage their symptoms.

Life coaches typically do not tell clients what to do. Rather, they provide the framework and structure for coachees to reach their own conclusions. Research shows that goal setting is an important part of the depression recovery process.⁴ So, it's no surprise that working with a life coach can be incredibly empowering for those with depression.

Should a life coach treat your depression?

Wondering whether a life coach can help with your depression? The answer depends largely on where you are in your healing journey.

Firstly, if you have not been diagnosed with depression but suspect you fit the bill, it’s important to see a doctor. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and determine whether you fit the diagnostic criteria. They will also talk you through your treatment options.

It’s important to know that coaches, therapists, and counselors can not diagnose mental health issues. However, psychologists can, and in some scenarios your doctor may refer you to one for assessment.

Getting an official diagnosis is helpful for a couple of reasons. Research shows that a diagnosis helps foster self-understanding.⁵ This, in turn, can lead to improved self-esteem and better treatment outcomes.

Moreover, a diagnosis and referral is required to access mental health medication. In some countries, you can also access subsidized mental health support if you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. An example of this is the Mental Health Treatment Plan in Australia, where you can get Medicare rebates on up to 20 psychology sessions.

One important caveat is that you don’t necessarily need a diagnosis to access professional mental health support. If you are struggling with a low mood, poor self-worth, or emotional regulation issues, this should be your next stop — whether you’re diagnosed or not. After all, everyone deserves someone to talk to! This may be a psychologist, psychotherapist, or counselor, depending on your specific needs and budget.

If you choose to see a psychologist or psychotherapist, the two most important things to look for are:

Training: Both psychologists and psychotherapists should be university-trained, with a minimum of a Master’s degree. They should also be licensed and registered under the local regulation guidelines of your country. You may notice that some psychologists are provisionally registered. This means they have completed their Honors degree but are still undergoing supervision or further education. These providers will usually be more affordable, but may not have as much experience.

Area of specialization: Most registered psychologists and psychotherapists should be well-versed in depression. However, it’s a good idea to take a look at their speciality to determine if they’re a good fit for you. For example, if you’re a busy professional who struggles with perfectionism, seek someone who works with this demographic.

Alternatively, you may decide that working with a counselor is a better option for you at this stage. This may be because you’re on a tight budget, or because you would prefer to work on a specific issue for a shorter timeframe. As mentioned, there are fewer regulations governing counselors than psychologists or therapists. However, you should still look for someone who is highly trained in the area you need help with (for example, personal relationships). Most countries also have their own counseling federations. These indicate that the provider has undergone adequate training. So, this is another helpful resource to use when choosing a counselor.

Once your daily symptoms are manageable, then you might consider hiring a life coach. Some doctors recommend against undergoing more than one type of talk therapy at a time, as this can complicate treatment.⁶ For this reason, the best time to see a life coach would likely be after you have completed professional treatment.

For those who are in recovery from health issues — whether mental or physical — working with a life coach can have tangible benefits. Two randomized controlled trials found that coaching methods that focus on self-efficacy (your ability to do what you say you will) can improve health outcomes⁷. Plus, ICF research⁸ shows that 63% of coaching clients report it improves their overall wellbeing, as well as their self-esteem/self-confidence (80%), relationships (73%) and work/life balance ( 67%).      

So, what type of life coach should you see?

There's a plethora of life coach options to choose from. Some life coaches are mindset experts, while others specialize in professional development. As always, the right partnership will depend on your goals.

If you're looking to improve your mental health, F4S has created a collection of expert guides and coaching programs to help. These will be a great support for you. Fingerprint For Success’ personalized coaching is designed to get you feeling excited to jump out of bed in the morning again. Using a science-backed, AI-powered approach, F4S can help you:

Understand yourself: Take our highly accurate assessment to gain a deeper awareness of what motivates you and makes you tick.

Improve wellbeing: Get back to feeling like the most energized, vibrant version of yourself.

Crush your goals: Set goals for your personal development and get a clear, step-by-step plan to achieve them.

Feel empowered: Work on your self-esteem and resilience, so you feel ready to tackle any challenges life throws at you.

At this stage, you might be wondering how AI coaching fits into the equation of treating depression. To answer this question, it’s important to understand the strengths and limitations of mental health chatbots.