What is Health Coaching?

A certified Health Coach is a trusted partner and mentor who empowers individuals to both identify and achieve their goals related to health, wellness, and mindset. Health coaches both encourage and support their clients every step of the way by using science-based, behavior-driven lifestyle modification techniques.

Health coaching is about behavior change, about helping individuals unlock their potential and set realistic short and long-term goals as they relate to their health and wellness. At the heart of health coaching is a holistic approach, which considers the person as a whole, rather than focusing on illness, ailments, or symptoms alone. A holistic approach takes into consideration how the individual interacts with their environment as well as their biology, emphasizing the connection of mind and body.

To support the whole-person approach, coaches leverage evidence-based coaching modalities and are trained in scientifically validated behavior modification techniques such as motivational interviewing, the transtheoretical model of change, simple and complex reflections, self-determination theory, social cognitive theory, appreciative inquiry, and nonviolent communication amongst others. These techniques encourage and elicit clients to understand and improve their health and wellness by helping them focus on personal goals, values, and strengths to drive meaningful behavior change in a deeply personal and individualized way.

Some health coaching tools I might use to help clients achieve success include:

Motivational interviewing – asking open-ended questions that guide clients to provide reasons for wanting to change and define their goals.

Establishing accountability – regularly checking in and leveraging technology to help clients keep their goals in mind.

Positive psychology – supporting a mindset that’s conducive to change, improving confidence and self-efficacy through affirmations, gratitude, and much more.

Health coaches maintain a client-centered approach, activating clients’ inner strengths and helping them to discover and cultivate new ones on their journey to better health. Coaches have been recognized by the AMA as integral members of health and care teams and are key to helping clients and patients implement lifestyle changes that are needed to manage, prevent, or improve health conditions.

The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching defines health and wellness coaches as those who “partner with clients looking to enhance their well-being through self-directed lasting changes, aligned with their values.” Board-certified coaches display an unconditional positive regard for their clients and have trained to the highest standards in the profession, which means that they have the skills and knowledge to walk alongside you on your path to your healthiest self.

Health coaches work in different settings. Some work on healthcare teams alongside physicians and other allied health professionals as part of an integrative approach to client care. Other coaches work in digital health, community-based programs, schools, or entrepreneurial roles.

While coaching originated with in-person interactions, technology has allowed coaches and clients to connect in an online environment. One of the many benefits of the virtual format is its ability to cross geographical barriers and create greater access to coaching services, such as in rural areas. Health coaches are trained in modalities that are applicable to all specialties and frequently work within several of these at any time, at times even with the same client. Some health coaches prefer to focus on a particular specialty (niche) to further enhance their coaching toolbox with a deeper understanding of underlying physical, mental, and biological conditions inherent in these specialties. Specialization may be rooted in a personal connection, passion, or previous professional experience that may enable a coach to bring another layer of empathy, understanding, and resources to the client’s experience.

The healthcare system is very complex. Above all, many diseases are complex and can be scary to a patient. It takes time and hard work to get to the point where the patient has enough confidence to believe in their own ability to heal. Nowadays, primary care clinics are struggling to fit multiple appointments into a 30-minute visit and cannot meet every need of their patients. A large number of patients leave primary care visits with no idea what their doctor told them and with a bunch of medications. Average adherence rates for prescribed medications are about 50 percent, and for lifestyle changes, they are below 10 percent.

MY APPROACH AS A FUNCTIONAL HEALTH COACH

As a functional health coach, I support my clients based on Functional Medicine principles. My approach is to encourage self-discovery, health education, and developing accountability in self-care. In order for it to be fully effective, health coaching may need to be implemented as part of a wider program. I have a working knowledge of diet, lifestyle, and exercise.

To really be effective, coaching cannot just be about helping clients with dietary plans or supplements they would like to implement. One of the most important jobs of functional health coaching is a partnership in order to discover the mental, emotional, and spiritual components that drive your motivation or trigger bad habits. I will explore the body and your mindset with you. The key point is to change the mindset. I listen, observe, and reflect back to you what you said. Besides words, I look for nonverbal communication and changes in your energy and emotions, and I hope to create a safe space for what’s not being said by you.

Many times, clients struggle with their past and their bad habits. After working with me, they can change their mindset so their health path can start to change. I maintain a belief in my client’s capacity for change and honor clients as experts in their own lives while ensuring that all interactions are respectful and nonjudgmental.

I can support you if you need help with:

• Diabetes and Heart Disease
• Cancer
• Weight Loss
• Anxiety and Sleep Problems
• Hormone Imbalance
• Thyroid-Hashimoto
• Stress
• Gut Issues