Occasionally, when a client first comes to my office, they say, “I just want someone to tell me what to do” and I quietly deflate inside just a little bit. Due to the lack of accreditation in the past (thankfully this is changing!), the reputation of a “health coach” is often someone who tells you what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat, and what physical activity to do. In fact, sometimes a “health coach'' is just someone who signed up for an exercise program that they now want to sell to you. But if you are looking for lasting change, your health coach needs to be more than that. And if you have a professional, certified coach, they will do better than that.
Health coaching needs to be a collaboration. You already know what you want to do, the hard part is figuring it out and then doing it. That is where the magic of health coaching happens. A professional health coach won’t smother you with advice, threaten and demean you, or scare you into changing your ways. The goal of coaching is to work together to uncover your health vision, establish your priorities, and define a path to getting there. As a health coach, I start with the assumption that you know your life/health/wellness better than anyone else. You already know what changes are important to you and where you are ready to start. My job is to help you see what you want and find the steps to get there.
Let’s imagine your journey to better health and wellness is like a road trip. I am certainly not driving the car; you’re doing that. But I’m along for the whole ride; keeping you awake during the long stretches and rocking out to Taking Back Sunday when the sun is shining. I sit in the passenger seat and help you navigate. I point out important landmarks to take note of as we travel and ask thought-provoking questions when we aren’t sure which way to go. Ultimately, you’re the driver though and if you want to change routes, I’m here for it.
As a certified coach, I’m trained in assessing readiness to change, sorting through ambivalence, building confidence and motivation, and establishing behavior change. I’m happy to cheer you on but I want to do so much more than that too (P.S. if you are currently in need of a pep talk, let me refer you to the king). I want to dive into your successes and challenges. Let's talk about what routines work really well for you. When have you been successful with making changes previously? What were the circumstances with that change? How can we apply what you already know to help you better your future?
No matter who your health coach is, it’s important to make sure they are legit and not just trying to sell you protein shakes. If you live in the United States, you want to make sure your health coach is board certified. The certifying agency is called the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). The NBHWC partners with the National Board of Medical Examiners to ensure coaching standards are upheld. In order to become board certified, a coach must complete an approved training program, have an associates degree or higher, show proof of 50 coaching sessions at least 20 minutes in duration (75% of the session must be devoted to coaching facilitation, not education), and pass the board exam. You can search for a board certified coach in your area by clicking here.
So if you’re interested in or already have a health coach, please put them to work! Make your sessions valuable and worth your time. Come prepared to dive deep. Tell us your vision and strengths. Talk about the successes as much as the challenges. That’s what we are here for! Let’s start making some lasting progress and work towards a sustainable change.
“Health and Wellness Coaches partner with clients seeking self-directed, lasting changes, aligned with their values, which promote health and wellness and, thereby, enhance well-being. In the course of their work health and wellness coaches display unconditional positive regard for their clients and a belief in their capacity for change, and honoring that each client is an expert on his or her life, while ensuring that all interactions are respectful and non-judgmental.”
-National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching
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