Professional Coaching for Mental Health Challenges

Deepen your understanding of mental health and psychological disorders

In this practice-oriented and theory-based module, you will learn how to support clients with mental health challenges in a careful, empathetic and professional way. You will learn how to recognise common psychological disorders, maintain professional boundaries and make appropriate referrals when necessary. Alongside theoretical knowledge and practical tools, you will gain insight into your own mental resilience as a professional.

Is this module suitable for you?

This module is suitable for:

• Coaches and counsellors
• Trainers and educators
• Health care professionals and social workers
• Anyone professionally working with people experiencing psychological vulnerability

This module is part of the training programme Addiction and Recovery Coaching and Counselling, but is also available as a separate module for professionals with a background in / basic knowledge of coaching and/or psychosocial guidance.

What will you learn in this module?

After completing this module, you will:

• Understand the difference between mental health and psychological disorders.
• Be able to recognise signs of depression, anxiety, trauma, dissociation and personality disorders.
• Be able to assess red and yellow flags and understand when referral is necessary.
• Be familiar with the DSM-5 / ICD-11 and contemporary insights into trauma and Polyvagal Theory.
• Have gained insight into your own vulnerabilities and resilience as a professional.

We work from an integrative perspective, combining medical, holistic and positive psychology approaches.

Programme overview

The programme consists of 8 live online sessions of 2 hours each, combining theory, case examples and group discussions. Each session includes reflection questions for your personal portfolio.

Session 1: Introduction to mental health

• What is mental health?
• Medical versus holistic perspectives
• DSM-5 and your role as a coach

Session 2: Awareness, mood and adjustment

• Depression
• Somberness
• Adjustment disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Dissociation

Session 3: The internal alarm system

• Anxiety disorders
• Panic
• Compulsive behaviour
• Trauma
• Polyvagal Theory

Session 4: Executive functioning and neurodiversity

• ADHD
• ADD
• Autism
• Concentration difficulties
• Executive functioning

Session 5: Intellectual disabilities and personality disorders
Supporting clients with:

• Intellectual disabilities
• Personality disorders (a.o. borderline and narcissism)
• Dependency

Session 6: Sexuality, gender and sexual disorders

• Creating a safe space for sexual diversity and related challenges

Session 7: Body image, eating disorders and self-destructive behaviour

• Anorexia
• Bulimia
• Self-harm
• Suicidality
• When and how to refer clients

Session 8: Addiction and co-morbidity

• What if multiple psychological challenges are present at the same time?
• Learning how to collaborate with other mental health professionals

About the teacher Arjan van Dijk

Arjan van Dijk is a teacher at the Academy for Coaching and Counselling (ACC) and brings more than 35 years of experience in mental health care, coaching and recovery-oriented support. He studied theology and educational sciences and started his career as a trainee spiritual counsellor at rehabilitation centre De Paltz. After completing his studies in educational sciences, he worked as a sociotherapist and trainer at mental health care institutions Fornhese and Zon & Schild (GGZ Centraal), where he trained teams in methodologies such as solution-focused working, rehabilitation and recovery-oriented care.

As the director of Feniks Talent and STEQ, Arjan led specialist centres for gifted young people experiencing mental health challenges and school dropout. He also worked as an adviser and trainer for organisations including Parnassia in The Hague, Humanitas DMH, GGZ Friesland and Phase 01 Recovery Support, contributing to the optimisation of care and team development.

Over the past fifteen years, Arjan has focused primarily on supporting victims of psychological abuse, including people who were involved in closed groups such as cults. In this field, he works as an expert for organisations including Sektesignaal, FIER and the Dutch National Police.

His approach is people-oriented, supportive and practical. He is inspired by, among others, Carl Rogers (client-centred therapy), Gabor Maté (trauma and addiction), Martin Seligman (positive psychology), Patricia Deegan (recovery-oriented mental health care) and Steven Hayes (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).

Alongside his professional experience, Arjan brings a personal perspective to his work. As a child of a parent with psychiatric challenges (Kind van Ouder met Psychiatrische Problematiek – KOPP), he grew up with a father struggling with depression. This experience made him aware from an early age of both the impact of psychological suffering and the power of recovery. The theme of KOPP is also addressed within this mental health training module.

Arjan is involved in the development of class materials at the ACC and teaches several ACC training programmes.

Details of the module Professional Coaching for Mental Health Challenges

Module:

Professional Coaching for Mental Health Challenges

Features:

Live Online module (live sessions via Zoom)

Duration:

8 sessions of 2 hours each

Participation in online sessions:

To participate in online sessions effectively and with focus, we expect the following from students:

• You attend the online classes using a laptop or computer (not a mobile phone). Please ensure you have a working camera and microphone. You are responsible for purchasing your own laptop, computer, and/or any other equipment.
• You make sure you have a stable internet connection to avoid disruptions.
• You are in a quiet environment while attending the classes, with minimal background noise.
• You make sure you are not disturbed, for example by housemates, children, pets or your phone.

Group size:

10 to 16 participants

Study load:

Approximately 4 hours per week (excluding the online sessions)

Entry level:

Following prior coaching/counselling training and/or practical experience in the field.

Admission:

Health care professionals and/or professionals with a relevant educational background.

Teacher:

Arjan van Dijk

Certificate:

You will receive the certificate of participation for Professional Coaching for Mental Health Challenges when:

• You have passed the theoretical exam.
• The minimum attendance requirement of 90% has been met.
• All course fees have been fully paid.

PE-points:

Permanent Education (PE-)points are credits for continuing professional education that are often required for re-registration with professional associations. Each professional association calculates these credits differently, based on study load and/or contact hours.

• Study load of this module: 16 contact hours

The number of PE-points for NFG and Noloc for this module:

• NFG: 8 PE points
• Noloc: 16 PE points

Should you be affiliated with a different professional association, we recommend contacting them directly to determine how many PE-points this module will provide.

Recommended literature:

The Myth of Normal – Gabor Maté, ISBN: 9781785042737

Study materials:

All study materials will be provided digitally.

Prices

Start Fall 2026:

Total price: € 750. Payment in 3 instalments: € 250 per instalment.*

*Payment in instalments is possible (maximum of 3 instalments). However, the full amount must be paid before the start of the programme.

The above prices include administration fees (€ 50). Literature is not included in the tuition fee and must be purchased separately by the student.

The Academie voor Coaching en Counselling is CRKBO-registered. This means that our study fees are exempt from BTW (VAT).