Are Mental Health Coaches Replacing Therapists?! | E56

Imagine spending years in graduate school, racking up thousands of hours in supervision, investing in continuing education—only to find out that companies are now hiring unqualified mental health coaches instead of licensed therapists… for a fraction of the pay. Sound unfair? It is. And it’s happening right now. Let’s talk about what this means for our profession and what we can do about it. In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I dive into a jaw-dropping trend that’s reshaping the mental health industry: the rise of mental health coaching as a cheaper alternative to therapy. With big corporations jumping on this bandwagon, therapists everywhere need to be paying attention. We’ll cover: - What mental health coaching really is (and what it isn’t) - How corporations are replacing therapists with under-qualified “coaches” - Why this shift is dangerous for clients and for our profession - What therapists can do to protect their careers and reclaim this space Timestamps: 00:00 - Wait, What?! Big Companies Are Hiring Coaches Instead of Therapists?! 01:34 - The Rise of Mental Health Coaches 02:52 - The Future of Mental Health Care 05:39 - The Differences Between Therapy and Mental Health Coaching 11:40 - How This Impacts Therapists, Your Career, and Your Growth 13:10 - What We Can Do To Fight Back (And Why We Must!) 18:11 - Coaching Certification for Therapists and Resources I know this is frustrating. You’ve worked hard to build your skills, develop your expertise, and serve your clients with integrity. It’s infuriating to see big companies sidestep ethical, evidence-based care in favor of cost-cutting alternatives. But here’s the good news: we are not powerless. The more we educate ourselves and take action, the more we can shape the future of our field. If you’re wondering how you can ethically integrate coaching into your practice (without crossing ethical lines or diminishing your value), check out my free masterclass: The Therapist’s Guide to Coaching. In this training, I break down exactly how therapists can use coaching as a powerful, evidence-based tool for non-clinical clients—helping you expand your impact, attract dream clients, and stay aligned with best practices. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on LinkedIn and be part of this amazing community of therapists who are standing up for our profession. Xoxo Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby www.growingself.com P.S. I encourage you to share this episode with your fellow therapists. The more we talk about this issue, the more awareness we create!