The 3 Biggest Marketing Myths Holding Back Mental Health Coaches (And What to Do Instead)

Why Marketing Feels Like a Struggle

As a mental health coach, you know how to guide clients through transformative breakthroughs—but when it comes to marketing your practice, things get cloudy:

Does this sound familiar?

• You feel pressured to “do it all” on social media but aren’t sure what actually works.
• Crafting the perfect post takes forever, and even then, it doesn’t lead to inquiries.
• Every strategy you try feels disconnected from your values and purpose.

It’s not your fault. Marketing is full of myths that lead to wasted time and frustration. Today, we’re breaking them down and giving you practical steps to market your practice authentically and effectively.

Myth #1: You Have to Be on Every Platform

Why It’s Holding You Back

The idea that you need to post on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and every other platform is overwhelming. Spreading yourself too thin means your message doesn’t land where it matters most.

What to Do Instead

Focus on the one platform where your ideal clients are most active. For mental health coaches, LinkedIn often stands out because:

• It’s where professionals actively seek personal growth.
• Conversations lean toward meaningful topics like mental health and work-life balance.

DIY Action Plan:

1. Audit Your Current Platforms: Where are you seeing the most engagement or interest? Double down there.
2. Build a Posting Rhythm: Start with 2–3 posts per week on your chosen platform. Consistency matters more than frequency.

Myth #2: You Need a Huge Following to Get Clients

Why It’s Holding You Back

It’s easy to compare yourself to influencers with thousands of followers and feel like you’ll never compete. But follower count doesn’t equal credibility or success—what matters is connection.

What to Do Instead

Engagement beats numbers. A small, highly engaged audience is far more valuable than a large, passive one.

DIY Action Plan:

1. Start Conversations: Respond to comments, send thoughtful messages, and engage with others’ posts.
2. Create Value-Driven Content: Share posts that offer actionable insights, answer common questions, or address real struggles.

Example Post Idea: "Feeling overwhelmed by work-life balance? Here’s one question I ask myself every day to stay grounded: ‘What’s one thing I can let go of today to create space for rest?’ What’s yours?"

Myth #3: You Have to “Sell” Yourself Constantly

Why It’s Holding You Back

Feeling like you need to constantly pitch your services can be draining and inauthentic. Coaches often struggle with this because they want to connect, not sell.

What to Do Instead

Shift your mindset from selling to serving. When you focus on sharing insights and helping your audience, inquiries naturally follow.

DIY Action Plan:

1. Share Stories of Transformation: Post real-life (anonymous) client success stories that illustrate the results you help achieve. Example: “One of my clients used to feel trapped in their career. Through our work together, they not only found clarity but also started making bold decisions that aligned with their values.”
2. Use CTAs That Invite Reflection, Not Action: Instead of “DM me to book a session,” try:“What’s one change you’re ready to make today for your mental health?”

Bonus: The 5-Minute Marketing Formula for Busy Coaches

If you feel like there’s no time to market yourself, try this:

1. Morning ( 10 Minutes): Scroll through LinkedIn and engage with 2–3 posts that align with your audience or values.
2. Afternoon (10 Minutes): Write a quick post sharing a client insight, a mindset shift, or a piece of inspiration from your day.
3. Evening (1 Minute): Reply to comments and messages authentically—no pitches, just connection.

Why It Works: Small, consistent actions build momentum over time, and they’re doable even on your busiest days.

Take Control of Your Marketing (Without Losing Your Sanity)

You don’t need to spend hours creating content or trying to “hack” the algorithm. What you need is a marketing approach that feels aligned with your values and makes your expertise shine.

Start today with these three steps:

1. Choose one platform to focus on.
2. Shift from selling to serving by sharing value-packed content.
3. Build engagement through authentic conversations, not pitches.

Marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or disconnected from your purpose. When done right, it’s simply an extension of the transformative work you already do.

Your Time to Shine Your expertise deserves to be seen by the people who need it most. These strategies aren’t about adding more to your plate—they’re about creating clarity, consistency, and connection.

You’ve got this.