The wellness coaching profession draws on a broad range of psychological theories concerned with motivation and behavior change. Health and wellness coaches utilize concepts from fields such as mindfulness, self-determination theory, and positive psychology.
Wellness Coaches are not trained to help with mental health issues, if you are experiencing a mental health issue please visit Student Counseling and Psychological Services.
Personalized Coaching
A wellness coach works with you to identify your goals in the areas of health, fitness and nutrition. In addition, they will work with you to explore the overall dimensions of wellness, such as emotional well-being and financial stability.
Then, they will help you make general choices that will improve these aspects of your life. For example, they may offer support in setting a savings goal or give you ideas for nutritious meals you can prepare at home.
Wellness coaches also use a model that focuses on intrinsic motivation. By linking new habits to these motivators, they increase your confidence that you can maintain the change.
You can choose to work with a wellness coach one-on-one or in a group. Group coaching is often conducted via video, and participants can share the same coach or have a different one every week. Regardless of the format, the coach will guide you toward your goals and hold you accountable to them.
Goal Setting
Wellness coaching services offer a holistic approach to overall well-being, with a focus on healthy and sustainable lifestyle changes. Health and nutrition coaches help clients work through specific goals, such as losing weight or reducing stress, so they can reach their full potential.
As you set short- and long-term goals with your coach, you’ll also discuss obstacles that may get in the way of achieving those goals. For example, if you want to improve your mood by eating more mindfully, you and your coach will consider how to prepare healthy meals that boost your happiness.
Before hiring a wellness coach, make sure to check their credentials. A good coach will have completed a professional training program to learn how to address a variety of health and wellness concerns. They should also have experience working with people of all ages. They should also understand that everyone is unique — what we call bio-individuality. This individuality is what informs the dietary and exercise practices that will be most effective for each client.
Accountability
Wellness coaches help clients stay on track with their health goals. They encourage them to keep going, even when they’re having a hard time. Health and wellness coaches also use the client’s own personal values and priorities as the foundation for their work.
Unlike personal trainers, wellness coaches don’t rely on a specific program or workout routine to motivate their clients. Instead, they focus on coaching skills and strategies like motivational interviewing to overcome barriers to achieving their fitness goals.
Some insurance plans include wellness coaching services as part of their benefits package. Whether yours does or not, it’s important to choose a wellness coach who has a certification from a recognized health and wellness coaching training program. It’s also a good idea to check if the coach has any experience working with chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. This will ensure that they have the knowledge to effectively support their clients. They can also refer their clients to medical or mental health professionals as needed.
Support
Wellness coaches offer a judgment-free support system that helps clients build upon their personal values and strengths. They help them to create strategies that work for their unique needs. This approach supports a client in developing their own unique wellness vision that includes all aspects of well-being, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
The coach and client work together to establish long-term goals, and create a series of short term goals that will be the stepping stones to those longer-term goals. Weekly face-to-face sessions provide a forum to keep the client accountable, review progress and set new goals.
The coach helps the client to develop coping and stress management skills, as well as healthy sleep habits, nutrition, movement and recovery. The coach also teaches clients how to listen to their body and learn about intuitive eating. The coaching services can be delivered one-on-one or in a group setting. The coaches are trained to understand that each person will have a different communication preference and motivational circumstances.
