Coaching Can Improve Mental Health Symptoms and Resilience
Psychology Today
by Jessica Watrous Ph.D.February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A new study highlights how two to three coaching sessions can significantly improve mental health symptoms and resilience, offering a promising approach for individuals with mild to moderate concerns. The research, conducted on working adults using an employer-sponsored digital platform, found that participants who completed about 2.5 coaching sessions over three months experienced notable reductions in depression (-22.5%) and anxiety (-12%), along with improvements in distress tolerance, self-compassion, mindfulness, and perceived stress. Among those with elevated symptoms, 72% showed clinical improvement or recovery, while 96% of lower-risk users maintained low symptom levels, underscoring coaching’s potential as both a treatment-adjacent and preventive tool.
The study emphasizes that effective coaching must be part of a broader stratified care model. Coaches in the program were certified by the International Coaching Federation, underwent rigorous vetting, and received specialized training. This structured approach ensures that individuals with severe concerns are appropriately routed to therapy or other clinical interventions, while those with mild issues receive the support they need without overburdening the system. The findings align with growing evidence that non-therapy approaches, such as skills-based support, can enhance mental health outcomes and serve as a valuable complement to traditional treatments.
Coaching’s appeal lies in its focus on transdiagnostic skills—abilities like distress tolerance, self-compassion, and stress management—that apply broadly across diagnoses
Verticals
healthmental-health
Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/24/2026