What’s the Difference Between a Mental Health Coach and a Therapist?

Mattew Boone’s 2023 article (What is a Mental Health 2023 Article) enlightens us. Boone writes:

“Mental Health Coach vs Therapist

While a mental health coach and therapist both work to help you improve your mental health, there are several important differences.

Credentials. Therapists hold at least a master’s degree in psychology or a related field, and must complete licensing requirements in their state, along with a certain number of supervised clinical treatment hours. Certain types of providers, such as psychologists, hold a PhD or PsyD.Mental health coaching, on the other hand, usually requires a certification program. Many of these programs are accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF) or other coaching organizations.
Area of focus. Behavioral health coaches help their clients focus on the present and future. Therapists, psychologists, and counselors are more likely trained to help clients heal from past and present challenges.
Medication. Mental health coaches do not prescribe medication. They can recommend a client see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner if medication may be helpful.
Diagnoses. Behavioral health coaches cannot diagnose mental illness, although they can recommend that a client seek a diagnosis from a therapist.”