Moving beyond coping: A better path toward thriving in mental health …

In modern counseling, much of the focus is on helping clients develop coping mechanisms — strategies that help them manage stress, anxiety, trauma, or other difficulties. But there is a growing understanding that coping mechanisms, while sometimes necessary, are not the ideal long-term solution for mental health. These strategies can leave clients stuck in their problems, rather than moving them toward true healing and thriving. To best serve clients, counselors should focus on equipping them with knowledge, skills, and tools to not just cope, but to overcome and flourish in the face of adversity.

“Coping mechanisms” are generally defined as the thoughts, actions, and behaviors used to manage stressful or challenging situations. These can range from healthy practices like exercising, journaling, and mindfulness, to less adaptive behaviors like avoidance, substance use, or overworking. While coping strategies are often a necessary part of the counseling process — especially in acute crises — their focus is on mitigating the effects of stress rather than resolving the root causes of distress.

Research highlights both the benefits and limitations of coping strategies. In a study published in Psychological Bulletin, researchers Carver, Scheier, and Weintraub (1989) identified two broad categories of coping: problem-focused and emotion-focused coping. Problem-focused coping aims to address the source of the stress, while emotion-focused coping is designed to regulate emotional responses to stress. While problem-focused coping has been associated with more positive outcomes, both types of coping have limitations if used exclusively. Emotion-focused strategies, for example, may soothe immediate feelings but do little to solve the underlying issue, leaving clients in a constant state of managing, rather than overcoming, their problems.

Another study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (2014) by Skinner and Zimmer-Gembeck pointed out that chronic reliance on coping mechanisms can perpetuate a sense of helplessness or avoidance. This can be particularly true when coping mechanisms become rigid and are not adapted to evolving challenges. Over time, clients can feel stuck in a cycle where they manage stress but never truly break free from it.

Rather than relying solely on coping strategies, counselors can guide clients toward more proactive, growth-oriented approaches that build resilience and foster personal change. Research suggests that focusing on resilience— defined as the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity — can lead to more lasting outcomes than simply coping.

One approach gaining attention is the use of strengths-based therapy (I wrote about the benefits of strengths-based training here), which helps clients identify and leverage their existing strengths to overcome challenges. A study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology (Seligman et al., 2006) found that clients who focused on developing their strengths, rather than just mitigating weaknesses, reported greater levels of well-being, even in the face of ongoing stress.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is another modality that can shift the focus from coping to overcoming. Rather than teaching clients to manage distress, CBT works by helping them change their thinking patterns and behavior, addressing the root causes of their difficulties. For example, a client with anxiety may learn coping techniques to manage panic attacks, but through CBT, they also work on reframing the cognitive distortions that trigger their anxiety in the first place. This allows for deeper, longer-lasting change rather than temporary relief.

Another key area where overcoming is more effective than coping is in the aftermath of trauma. While coping mechanisms such as grounding techniques or mindfulness can help clients manage trauma symptoms in the short term, post-traumatic growth (PTG) offers a more profound pathway toward healing.

Research into PTG, which refers to the positive psychological changes that can occur after adversity, indicates that many people who experience trauma are able to not only recover but also grow stronger in their emotional and psychological resilience(I’ve written about PTG here and here). A study by Tedeschi and Calhoun (2004) found that individuals who focus on meaning-making and personal growth — rather than just coping with symptoms — often report greater life satisfaction and psychological strength after trauma.

Post-traumatic growth is a clear example of how overcoming can be a more empowering framework than coping. By helping clients identify the ways in which adversity has allowed them to develop new perspectives, skills, or deeper emotional resilience, counselors can guide them toward long-term thriving, rather than remaining in survival mode.

An emerging body of research also emphasizes the importance of mindset in the process of overcoming versus coping. Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset shows that individuals who believe they can change and grow in response to challenges are more likely to overcome difficulties than those who hold a fixed mindset and view obstacles as insurmountable. Dweck’s research, published in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (2006), highlights how shifting clients’ mindset from one of limitation to possibility can lead to better outcomes in both counseling and life.

In counseling, fostering a growth mindset means encouraging clients to view their challenges as opportunities for development, rather than merely something to be endured. This can lead to more proactive problem-solving, greater resilience, and ultimately, a life characterized by thriving rather than just surviving.

To be clear, coping mechanisms do have their place in counseling. In the early stages, clients may need strategies to manage overwhelming emotions, traumatic memories, or crises. But these strategies should be viewed as temporary supports, not long-term solutions.

The ultimate goal is to help clients move beyond coping and into a space where they are not just managing their symptoms but actively working to overcome them. This requires counselors to use a combination of approaches that address both the immediate needs of clients and their long-term growth.

While coping mechanisms can provide necessary relief in difficult times, they are ultimately limited in their ability to help clients thrive. The greater goal of counseling should be to guide clients toward overcoming, fostering resilience, and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and tools to face challenges head-on, rather than simply managing their symptoms. By focusing on resilience, strengths, growth, and mindset, counselors can help clients not just cope with life’s difficulties but rise above them.

Scotty