Deep Health Coaching

The National Academy of Sports Medicine states: “A wellness coach’s job is to support an individual in the process of making those [healthy] choices. It’s important to emphasize that wellness coaching is not prescriptive, meaning they don’t tell their clients what to do. Instead they help their client to examine their choices for themselves, moving along an iterative, personalized, and unique wellness journey. Wellness coaches understand the science behind the behaviors that build holistic wellness and wellbeing.  Then they use their unique gifts and expertise to support their clients. This coaching role is unique among health, fitness, and wellness professionals.”

Per the New York Times: “In either case [whether you are in good health or managing a health condition], you’d likely benefit from the help of a health coach, whose job it is to give patients the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence they need to participate fully in their own care and well-being.”

Health coaches cannot diagnosis illness, prescribe medication or provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. Though, they can provide nutritional advice and guidance.

The New York Times has a nice summary of some benefits, but some include: 
• Improved patient outcomes and improved management of chronic conditions
• Reduced healthcare costs
• Increased motivation and confidence to reach your goals and sustain good habits
• Improved understanding of health and wellness topics and information

According to the Mayo Clinic:
“Wellness coaching can produce substantial lifestyle improvements that align with an individual’s personal values, and foster confidence to sustain these changes after the program has concluded. 

Wellness coaches are trained professionals who help individuals identify values and make customized changes in order to manage stress, begin or maintain healthy habits and improve their overall quality of life. One of the reasons wellness coaching can be uniquely successful is that the focus isn’t necessarily on weight management or fitness. People usually begin wellness programs to lose weight – but according to the study’s lead author, Psychologist and Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program medical expert Matthew Clark, Ph. D., L.P., what often begins as a short-term goal evolves into clinically meaningful improvements such as stress reduction, sleep improvement, increased spiritual connection, and quality of life that is sustained long after the wellness program has been completed.”

It’s true that the term “health coach” isn’t strictly regulated, which means technically, anyone could use the title. However, credible health coaches have professional training, recognized certifications and often hold credentials from nationally accredited boards. Some also have advanced degrees. Some may work in other professions in healthcare like nurses and doctors who add coaching to their practice for improved patient outcomes.

Many pursue certifications through organizations like the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), which ensures rigorous education in behavior change science, motivational interviewing and evidence-based practices. The board requires coaches to complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs), to uphold strict ethical standards and to remain within their scope of practice.

Interestingly, one study found that coaches without national board certification were significantly more likely to recommend or sell supplements compared to those who were board-certified raising important questions about conflicts of interest, adherence to professional scope of practice and the content and scope of their formal training. If you see this on someone’s site, ask for their credentials.

When choosing a health coach, it’s important to ask about their training, certifications and coaching philosophy to ensure you’re getting proper care rooted in expertise, not just opinions.

During the session, we will use a variety of tools (i.e. motivational interviewing) to examine your behavior/habits as well as your reactions to them. We will create action plans, celebrate your wins and troubleshoot any potential barriers to achieving your goal(s). I will provide information, motivation, guidance and accountability. However, the job is really yours to decide what works for you. This is “client-centered” coaching.

After the first session where we have established your goals and action plan, typical sessions generally follow this outline:
• We will start with a “celebration” (one good thing you are celebrating that day) so we start on a positive note. 
• We will review your action plan.
• We will identify wins and positive progress. 
• We will identify barriers that might have impeded those actions and explore strengths you can leverage to overcome them in the future.
• We will modify your action plan, if necessary.
• We make sure we have a way to measure progress towards your goal. 
• I assess your level of commitment and confidence on the plan and we tailor accordingly.
• We end with next steps (follow-up meeting etc).

Other Logistics:
• 30-minute sessions
• Phone-based
• Ideally conducted weekly or biweekly for measurable change and positive momentum