Telecoaching describes providing life and other coaching services through electronic means. It offers a secure and convenient way for clients to receive coaching.

MSMC uses a HIPAA-compliant system called Spruce Health for phone sessions. Clients can download the Spruce Health app on their phone or computer at no cost while working with MSMC. If clients prefer not to download or use the app’s additional features, they can simply call their coach’s Spruce phone number like a regular phone call and still access the HIPAA-compliant phone system.

Similar to counseling, studies show that telecoaching can be as effective—and sometimes more effective—than traditional face-to-face coaching. Although you don’t meet your coach in person and miss nonverbal cues like body language and facial expressions, our experience reveals three main reasons why telecoaching remains just as effective or even more effective than in-person coaching.

Three Reasons for Effectiveness

First, phone sessions improve continuity because clients can easily engage in coaching from anywhere. Second, the anonymity of phone conversations combined with the comfort of being in your own environment encourages greater openness, which helps you make progress faster than in-person coaching. Third, telecoaching expands availability by connecting you with a professional who shares your faith beliefs, no matter where you live.

Because coaching does not involve diagnosing mental health conditions and state licensure laws do not regulate it like clinical counseling, health insurance plans do not reimburse coaching at this time.

Signing up for coaching is easy! You can reach out through our contact page here.

Once you submit your request, MSMC will respond within 2–3 business days with instructions on how to set up a free 15-minute consultation and provide available session times if you’re ready to schedule your first session. We will also include information about intake forms and payment in this initial response.

After your first session, your coach will contact you directly to schedule follow-up sessions.

We require you to provide at least 24 hours’ notice to reschedule or cancel a session. While we make exceptions for emergencies, we charge the full session fee for all other late reschedules or cancellations. We reserve that time exclusively for you, which prevents another person seeking coaching from booking that session slot.

We require you to keep a debit or credit card on file to ensure payment for services. You can provide this information via email, over the phone, or through MSMC’s electronic health record (EHR) system.

MSMC uses SimplePractice as its EHR, which sends a secure link to your email so you can safely enter your payment information. After your sessions, SimplePractice automatically processes the billing.

Attending a session is easy! You only need a phone or computer and an internet connection. Your coach will give you their work phone number before your first session, and you’ll use that same number throughout your coaching relationship. At your scheduled session time, you can call your coach directly. If you have a video session, our EHR system, SimplePractice, will send a link to your email before the session begins.

You can attend sessions from anywhere with a clear, consistent phone signal, but we recommend choosing a quiet, peaceful, and private space in your home where you can focus without distractions. Using headphones can help but isn’t required.

MSMC uses HIPAA-compliant platforms to deliver its services, ensuring privacy and confidentiality on our end.

However, your environment plays an important role in telecoaching. While your coach conducts sessions from a private, confidential space, we recommend that you also attend sessions from a quiet, comfortable, and private location to protect your privacy and confidentiality.

Sometimes. If you pursue coaching alongside counseling, or if you maintain stable mental health despite a diagnosis, coaching can be very effective. However, if your coach finds that your mental health diagnosis limits the effectiveness of coaching, they will respectfully discuss this with you and offer options, including recommending that you begin counseling.

Licensed professionals generally provide counseling, diagnosing mental health conditions and applying specific strategies and treatments to address them. Coaches, on the other hand, focus on helping you identify and achieve goals, foster personal change, and boost performance. Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions, and coaching does not require mental health training.

By offering Catholic coaching, MSMC supports the broader and ultimate goal of making Catholic-based mental health care and well-being accessible to people worldwide.