[Tanya]

Answer according to Matthew S. Stanford, Ph.D.:

When people come to a faith community seeking help, they often want to meet with the clergy—the senior pastor or priest. But this can quickly become overwhelming. Clergy don’t always have the time or capacity to meet with everyone consistently, nor are they trained to provide mental health support.

That’s where a mental health coach comes in. A pastor can still meet with an individual, offer spiritual guidance, care, and comfort—but when deeper mental health needs arise, they can connect that person with a coach.

The mental health coach can:

Provide one-on-one assistance through proven curricula.

Connect individuals with church support groups.

Refer them to community providers when needed.

This allows the pastor to focus on being a pastor, without the burden of trying to manage mental health needs beyond their training. Too often, pastors meet with someone several times before realizing the issue is outside their expertise—leading to late referrals and sometimes a breakdown in the relationship.

By introducing a mental health coach, the church ensures people receive ongoing, specialized support while still staying connected to their pastor. In short, mental health coaching empowers pastors to minister more effectively while making sure individuals get the care they truly need.