Ask a Health Coach
What is Health Coaching?
Health coaching is the process of working towards health related goals with a coach either one-on-one or in a group setting. There are different areas of expertise, and not all health coaches address the same health concerns. For example, my specialties include work-life balance and chronic pain management. But no matter the specialty, every good health coach follows the same principles. For example, they avoid telling you what to do. Instead, a good health coach will guide you towards discovering your own unique version of health, then break it down into actionable steps for you to work on. They also serve as an accountability partner as you move towards attaining the healthy, balanced lifestyle you desire.
Working with a health coach is a chance to take a deep dive into examining your current lifestyle and how you want to change it for the better. The process is transformative and the insights you learn about yourself improve your overall sense of well-being.
Does Health Coaching Work?
Yes! With the backing of the American Medical Association and the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaches, studies are beginning to show that health coaching is a viable option for making positive health changes. Due to these findings, the philosophy of medicine is shifting from a problem-based model to a solution-based one. This means that instead of focusing only on what is “wrong”, the medical community is now recognizing the power of self-discovery through health coaching as a way to uphold lasting changes in a patient’s lifestyle by also focusing on what is “right”.
It’s easy for a physician to say, “You need to reduce stress and lose weight”, but it does little to actually help a patient who likely already knows this. By utilizing motivational interviewing, positive psychology, and other techniques, health coaches work in tandem with physicians and other healthcare providers to create a customized treatment plan that fits each individual according to their own personal goals, needs, strengths, and abilities.
To learn more, here is an article from Harvard Medical School that goes into greater detail about the efficacy of health coaching.
Is Health Coaching the Same as Therapy?
No. Coaches and therapists use some of the same techniques, but they are different. Coaches do not focus on trauma or “go back” into childhood or past experiences like therapists do. Health coaching is used to achieve goals, shift mindset, and dig deep into your inner truth so you can create the healthy, balanced lifestyle that you dream of. However, both modalities can be used simultaneously, and I often work with clients who are in therapy as one aspect to healing is living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Also, health coaches can be “trauma-informed”, meaning they have specialized training to coach people who have undergone traumatic experiences and suffer from PTSD, C-PTSD, and other related mental health disorders. If you are struggling with mental health, adding a Board Certified Health Coach to your existing healthcare team and therapy program can be a great resource to propel you forward and stop feeling stuck.
Can Anyone be a Health Coach?
Yes and No. Anyone can market themselves as a health coach regardless of training or experience as there are currently no regulations against this. Fortunately, there are a few ways to determine if your health coach is qualified and has gone through proper training to ensure that you are getting quality service and you are not being misled.
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). This credential ensures that your health coach has gone through an accredited program and has passed the board exam administered by the National Board of Health & Wellness Coaches (NBHWC). After joining forces with the National Board of Medical Examiners (the certifying body that licenses physicians), it became the Gold Standard for health coaching certification.
International Coaching Federation (ICF). This is the first administrative body to attempt regulation in the coaching industry internationally. Anyone holding a credential from ICF has gone through an accredited program and demonstrated the necessary skills to be an effective and efficient coach.
I do not want to put down other credentials as there are many amazing coaches out there who do not hold either of these. However, I believe the realm of healthcare and health coaching should be regulated and information provided should be evidence-based.
Want to learn more about working with a Board Certified Health Coach? You are invited to a free 30-minute virtual consultation to see if we are a good fit for each other. Click the link to schedule now!