What does a mindset coach do? A mindset coach helps you spot the thoughts and beliefs that keep you stuck, then replace them with ones that help you take action. They work on the voice in your head that says you’re not ready, not good enough, or that it’s too late.
Mindset coaches don’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions. They work with people who are doing okay day to day but want to think differently about a goal, like a career move, a business, or a big life change.
Keep reading to discover:
- What mindset coaching looks like in practice
- How a mindset coach differs from a life coach and a therapist
- The techniques mindset coaches use
- What a mindset coach costs
- How to find the right one for you
What is a mindset coach?
A mindset coach is a coach who focuses on how you think. Their job is to help you notice the beliefs and habits of thought that shape your choices, and then build new ones that move you toward what you want.
The idea of “mindset” got a big boost from Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck. Her research describes a fixed mindset (believing your abilities are set in stone) and a growth mindset (believing you can develop them through effort, learning and practice). A lot of mindset coaching is about helping you shift from the first to the second.
People hire mindset coaches for goals in areas like:
- Career and work
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Relationships
- Health and habits
- Confidence and personal growth
One thing to know up front: “mindset coach” isn’t a regulated title. In the US, coaching is mostly unregulated, so anyone can call themselves a mindset coach. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a great one. It just means it pays to check a coach’s training and experience before you hire them (more on that below).
What does a mindset coach do in a session?
Every coach has their own style. But most mindset coaching follows a similar pattern.
Here’s how it works:
- You get clear on your goal. Your coach asks what you want and what’s getting in the way.
- You uncover the beliefs behind the block. For example, you might realize a fear of failing is the real reason you haven’t applied for that promotion.
- You challenge those beliefs. Your coach asks questions that help you see the situation from a new angle.
- You choose small actions. You leave each session with something concrete to try before the next one.
- You review what happened. Next session, you talk through what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned.
Say you feel stuck in your job. A mindset coach can help you figure out which beliefs are holding you back from moving up. Once you see them clearly, you can work together on new ways of thinking, and new actions, to help you level up your career.
Of course, it’s not all about problems. A good mindset coach also cheers you on when things go well. That helps you stay motivated after you hit a milestone and bounce back faster when you hit a setback.
Mindset coach vs. life coach vs. therapist
This is where many people get confused. All three can help you grow, but they focus on different things.
Mindset coach
A mindset coach focuses on your thinking. They help you change the beliefs, self-talk and mental habits that hold you back. Sessions look forward, toward your goals.
Life coach
A life coach usually takes a wider view. They help you set goals across several areas of your life, like career, relationships, health and money, and then plan how to reach them. Their toolkit often includes goal-setting, time management, communication skills and accountability.
Many life coaches include mindset work in what they do. So if you’re not sure what a life coach specializes in, just ask.
Therapist
A therapist is a licensed mental health professional. Therapists diagnose and treat conditions like depression, anxiety disorders and trauma, and they often help you work through your past. Therapy may be covered by health insurance. Coaching usually isn’t.
In short:
- Want to change how you think about a goal? Try a mindset coach.
- Want help planning and following through across your whole life? Try a life coach.
- Struggling with your mental health or with past trauma? See a therapist.
It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Some people see a therapist and work with a coach at the same time. If you’re in a crisis, though, please reach out to a mental health professional first. In the US, you can call or text 988 anytime.
What techniques do mindset coaches use?
Mindset coaching techniques vary from coach to coach. These are some of the most common ones you’ll come across.
1. Cognitive reframing
Reframing means catching an unhelpful thought, checking whether it’s true or useful, and swapping it for a more balanced one. It’s a skill taught in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and many coaches borrow it.
For example, “I always mess up presentations” might become “My last presentation was rough, and I know what I’d do differently next time.”
2. Powerful questions
Instead of handing you answers, a mindset coach asks questions that help you find your own. “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” or “Whose voice is that, really?” can open up a new way of seeing things.
3. Journaling
Many coaches give you journaling prompts between sessions. Writing your thoughts down makes patterns easier to spot, and it gives you something real to talk through with your coach.
4. Visualization
Some coaches ask you to picture yourself doing the thing you’re nervous about, like giving a talk or having a hard conversation. It’s a way to rehearse before the real moment.
5. Goal-setting and small steps
Big goals can feel paralyzing. Your coach helps you break them into small, doable actions, so you build proof that you can do it, one step at a time.
6. Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps you notice your thoughts without getting swept up in them. Some mindset coaches weave it in, and some specialize in it. (Here’s more on what a mindfulness coach does.)
7. Assessments
Some coaches use personality, strengths or emotional intelligence assessments to help you understand how you tend to think and react.
💡 You might also see coaches mention NLP (neuro-linguistic programming). It’s popular in coaching, but reviews of the research have found little evidence for its core claims. If a coach uses it, it’s fair to ask how they use it and what results their clients have seen.
Types of mindset coaches
Mindset coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all. Many coaches focus on a specific type of client or goal.
- Business mindset coaches work with entrepreneurs and business owners on things like fear of selling, pricing, and making big decisions. (See what business coaching covers more broadly.)
- Performance mindset coaches help athletes and professionals stay focused and perform under pressure.
- Confidence coaches help you quiet self-doubt and speak up for yourself. You can browse confidence coaches who specialize in exactly this.
- Money mindset coaches help you change the beliefs and habits behind your spending, saving or debt. (Here’s how a zero debt coach works.)
- Life coaches with a mindset focus combine mindset work with broader life planning.
Benefits of mindset coaching
You can work on your mindset on your own. But having a coach in your corner has some real advantages.
1. Get clarity on how your mind works
One of the biggest benefits is understanding what drives you, and what holds you back.
For example, you might discover that a fear of not having enough is stopping you from taking smart risks. Once you see the fear clearly, you and your coach can work on it together.
2. Stay motivated with accountability
During each session, you’ll see your progress, talk through what got in the way, and set new short-term goals. Because someone is checking in, you’re more likely to stick to the plan. (Accountability is so useful that some coaches specialize in it. Here’s what an accountability coach does.)
And on the days you don’t believe in yourself yet, your coach does.
3. Get tools picked for you
There are endless mindset books, worksheets and apps out there. It’s hard to tell which ones will help you.
A mindset coach gets to know you over time. So they can point you to the books, exercises and tools that fit your goals, and skip the ones that don’t.
4. Build resilience
Setbacks happen. A mindset coach helps you treat them as information instead of proof that you’re failing, so you can get back on track faster.
What does the research say? There isn’t much research on mindset coaching as its own category. But a 2014 meta-analysis of workplace coaching studies, published in The Journal of Positive Psychology, found that coaching had positive effects on performance, well-being, coping, work attitudes and goal-directed self-regulation. Results always depend on the coach, the client and the goal.
How much does a mindset coach cost?
Mindset coaching prices vary a lot depending on the coach’s experience, niche, location and format.
As a rough guide, many mindset coaches charge between $100 and $200 per session. Very experienced or ICF-credentialed coaches often charge $250 or more.
A few things affect what you’ll pay:
- Packages: Many coaches sell bundles of sessions at a lower price per session than booking one at a time.
- Group coaching: Group programs usually cost less than one-on-one coaching. The trade-off is less personal attention and a less tailored plan.
- Experience and niche: Coaches who work with executives or business owners tend to charge more.
Health insurance almost never covers mindset coaching, so expect to pay out of pocket. (Here’s more on insurance and coaching.) For a deeper look at rates and packages, see our guide to how much a life coach costs.
Price matters, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. An expensive coach isn’t automatically better than a more affordable one, and the opposite is true too.
How to find a mindset coach
With so many coaches out there, it’s hard to know where to start. These steps make it easier to find and hire the right coach for you.
1. Get clear on what you want help with
Before you start looking, write down your goal and what’s getting in the way. “I want to stop second-guessing every decision in my business” is much easier to match with a coach than “I want a better mindset.”
2. Browse a coaching directory
A directory lets you compare a lot of coaches in one place. On CoachCompare, you can browse mindset coaches, read their profiles, and message the ones you like. You can also search by keyword, for example to find a mindset coach who helps with public speaking nerves.
3. Ask for recommendations
If a friend has worked with a mindset coach they loved, ask about it! Find out what tools the coach used, what their personality is like, and whether your friend would hire them again.
4. Check out their content
Many coaches share free content on social media, podcasts or blogs. It’s a low-pressure way to get a feel for their style and see whether it clicks with you.
5. Check their training
Since anyone can use the title, look for relevant training and experience. If a coach says they hold an International Coaching Federation (ICF) credential, you can confirm it with the ICF’s online Verify a Coach tool.
6. Book a discovery call
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, book a discovery call with each coach. Many coaches offer a free first call.
Many coaches let you book that call online through a platform like Paperbell, so it only takes a minute.
This is your chance to see how well they understand your goals and how it feels to talk with them live. You may get along great over email and still find there’s no chemistry on a call. That’s okay! Chemistry matters in mindset coaching, and not everyone is a good fit.
A few red flags to watch for:
- They guarantee specific results
- They pressure you to buy a big package on the first call
- They say they can treat anxiety, depression or trauma without a mental health license
Mindset coaches you can hire on CoachCompare
Want a head start? Here are two mindset coaches with profiles on CoachCompare.
Sapna Chandrasekaran
Sapna is a speaker and author who helps clients move past the mindset blocks that keep them from the life they want. You can reach her by sending her a message on CoachCompare.
Kelly Wood
Kelly is a holistic lifestyle and mindset coach who works with women. She helps clients learn to trust their inner voice, and she offers both one-on-one and group coaching. You can reach her by sending her a message on CoachCompare.
FAQs about mindset coaching
What is the difference between a mindset coach and a life coach?
A mindset coach focuses on your thoughts and beliefs, and how they affect your actions. A life coach usually looks at your whole life, including career, relationships and health, and helps you plan and reach goals in each area. Many life coaches include mindset work too.
What are mindset coaching techniques?
Common mindset coaching techniques include cognitive reframing, powerful questions, journaling, visualization, goal-setting, mindfulness and assessments. Most coaches mix several, depending on your goal.
Is a mindset coach worth it?
It can be, if you have a specific goal, you’re ready to do the work between sessions, and you choose a coach who fits you. Here’s how to tell if a coach is worth it for you.
Can a mindset coach help with anxiety?
A mindset coach can help with everyday worry and self-doubt, like nerves before a big presentation. But coaches can’t diagnose or treat anxiety disorders. If anxiety is affecting your daily life, talk to a doctor or licensed therapist. In the US, you can call or text 988 if you’re in crisis.
Do mindset coaches need a certification?
No. In the US, there’s no license or required certification to work as a mindset coach. Many coaches choose to train with a coaching school or earn a credential from the International Coaching Federation, which you can verify on the ICF’s website.
What does a business mindset coach do?
A business mindset coach helps entrepreneurs and business owners work through the beliefs that hold their business back, like fear of selling, undercharging, or avoiding big decisions. They pair that mindset work with practical action steps.
Find a mindset coach who gets you
A mindset coach can help you get out of your own way, so you can finally go after the goals you’ve been putting off. The key is finding one who fits your goals and your personality.
On CoachCompare, you can browse mindset coaches, compare their profiles, and message the ones you like before you commit. It’s free to compare profiles and message coaches! You can also explore confidence and life coaches.
Are you a mindset coach? Paperbell gives you a simple coaching website plus scheduling, payments and contracts in one place, and you can start with a free account. You can also list your coaching on CoachCompare to reach new clients.
This post was originally published on January 10, 2023 and has been updated with new information for accuracy and comprehensiveness.