How to Set Mental Health Goals with a Life Coach

Table of Contents

1. Why Setting Mental Health Goals Matters
   
   
2. What Makes Mental Health Goals Unique
   
   
3. How Therapy Coaching with a Life Coach Can Help
   
   
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Goal Setting for Mental Health
   
   
5. Real-Life Examples of Mental Health Goals That Work
   
   
6. Dealing with Challenges and Staying Motivated
   
   
7. When to Ask for More Support
   
   
8. Final Thoughts: Take the First Step Today
   
   

Key Takeaways:

• Mental health goals offer clarity, structure, and hope during challenging times.
  
  
• Therapy coaching gives you support, accountability, and guidance every step of the way.
  
  
• Effective goal setting should be deeply personal and rooted in your real-life experiences.
  
  
• Progress isn’t always linear, but working with a life coach can keep you grounded and focused.
  
  
• You don’t have to do this alone—help is always within reach.
  

Why Setting Mental Health Goals Matters

Let’s be honest—life can feel heavy sometimes. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, dealing with past trauma, or just trying to make sense of your daily stress, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s why setting mental health goals isn’t just a strategy—it’s a lifeline.



Having goals gives us something to hold onto. It creates direction when everything feels uncertain. And when those goals are rooted in your emotional well-being, they become powerful tools for growth. They’re not about achieving perfection. They’re about helping you feel better, think clearer, and live a life that feels more like your own.

This is where a life coach comes in—someone to walk beside you as you figure it all out. Someone to ask the right questions, help you define what matters, and keep you moving forward when you’re tempted to stop.

What Makes Mental Health Goals Unique

Mental health goals aren’t the same as other types of personal or professional goals. They aren’t always measurable in black-and-white ways, and they’re not about hustling for results. They’re about healing, growth, and creating habits that protect your peace.

Think of goals like:

• Learning to set healthy boundaries with loved ones
  
  
• Practicing mindfulness for 10 minutes a day
  
  
• Journaling to better understand your emotional triggers
  
  
• Committing to therapy or support group attendance
  
  

These aren’t things you can check off a to-do list overnight. They take time. They evolve. And they need to be approached with kindness, patience, and the right kind of support—which is where therapy coaching can make a real impact.

How Therapy Coaching with a Life Coach Can Help

Here’s the truth: we don’t always know where to start on our own. That’s not weakness—it’s human.



Therapy coaching offers something different than traditional therapy alone. While therapy can help you unpack the past, coaching helps you focus on the future. A life coach listens to what you want, helps you define your values, and co-creates a plan with you that’s realistic and meaningful.

At Brian Stalcup MED, we work with people who are ready to take ownership of their healing but want a guide along the way. Through honest conversation, reflective exercises, and steady encouragement, we help clients move from “I don’t know what to do” to “I know exactly what I need right now.”

Step-by-Step Guide to Goal Setting for Mental Health

If you're ready to start setting your own mental health goals, here’s a simple framework to help guide you:

1. Identify What You’re Feeling

What’s been bothering you lately? Are you overwhelmed? Feeling disconnected? Irritable? Naming the emotion is the first step.



2. Define What You Want

Now ask: how do you want to feel instead? Do you want more peace? Clarity? Confidence? This becomes your destination.

3. Set a Realistic Goal

Let’s say you’ve been feeling burned out. A realistic goal might be:
“I want to reduce my stress by setting aside 15 minutes each morning to ground myself before the day begins.”

4. Break it Down

Now let’s break that into steps:

• Choose a calming morning practice (like breathing, stretching, or journaling)
  
  
• Set an alarm 15 minutes earlier
  
  
• Prepare your space the night before
  
  

5. Track Your Progress

Use a journal, app, or accountability check-ins with your coach. Celebrate small wins.

6. Adjust When Needed

Life happens. If something’s not working, don’t scrap the goal—just shift the approach.

Dealing with Challenges and Staying Motivated

Let’s be real: even the best plans can get off track. You might skip a day. You might fall back into old habits. That’s okay.

What matters most is how you respond. And that’s why therapy coaching is so helpful—it provides a nonjudgmental space to talk through setbacks, learn from them, and start again. You’re not expected to be perfect. You’re expected to be human.

Some tips that help:

• Use compassion over criticism when you mess up
  
  
• Revisit your why—remind yourself why you started this journey
  
  
• Talk to your coach—they can help you reframe the situation
  
  
• Don’t be afraid to start again—progress isn’t about never falling, but always getting back up
  

When to Ask for More Support

Sometimes, mental health challenges run deeper than what coaching alone can solve. If you’re dealing with trauma, severe anxiety, depression, or thoughts of self-harm, please seek help from a licensed therapist or counselor.



At Brian Stalcup MED, we can help you understand when coaching is enough—and when it’s time to bring in a clinical mental health professional. We’re here to walk beside you, not push beyond your limits.

Final Thoughts: Take the First Step Today

Setting mental health goals is not about fixing yourself. You’re not broken. It’s about choosing to care for yourself in ways that align with your truth, your pace, and your needs. And when you work with someone who sees and supports you, it becomes so much easier to stay committed to your journey.

Whether you're just getting started or have tried before and fallen off track, remember: every step forward counts. With the right tools, support, and mindset, you can build a life that feels grounded, intentional, and true to who you are.

If you’re ready to explore therapy coaching, we invite you to reach out to us at Brian Stalcup MED. Together, we can create the space for real transformation.



To learn more or schedule an appointment, reach us at 405-921-7012 or via email at brianjstalcup@gmail.com. Let’s take that first step—together.

Frequently Asked Questions