What is coaching?
How is coaching defined?
Coaching creates a safe container and facilitates discussion that leads to self-discovery and positive behavior change, whatever that looks like for you. We focus on your wellness journey, based on your vision and goals.
Coaches do not offer you advice, although sometimes, we provide evidence-based research that might help you with insights or decision-making.
According to the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC), “Health & wellness coaches support clients in activating internal strengths and external resources to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle behavior changes. Health coaches use a client-centered approach wherein clients decide their goals, engage in self-discovery or active learning processes, and self-monitor behaviors to increase accountability, all within the context of an interpersonal relationship with a health coach. Whatever goal the client sets, the health coach ensures that they are supported until the desired outcome is achieved. Our 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.”
The International Coaching Federation (ICF), which is the leading global organization for coaches and coaching, defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.”
It isn't therapy, education, or consulting. So what is it?
Unlike therapists, educators, consultants, or other experts, coaches don’t tell you what to do or how to do it. Instead, coaches create a space for exploration and self-discovery, empowering you to make changes in ways that works best for you.
The self-efficacy and self-determination that are strengthened through the coaching process are what lead to positive changes in behavior, mindsets, lifestyle choices, habits, and actions for the long haul. As health coaches, we use these frameworks to assess and monitor your readiness for change.
Inquiry and experimentation are the heart of coaching. Ultimately, through this cyclical process of trial and error toward self-awareness and resilience, coaches support you in coming closer to personal fulfillment.
How does coaching work?
Coaching is both an art and a science. It pulls from behavioral and social sciences, organizational change and development, cognitive and behavioral psychology, adult learning theory, motivational interviewing, self-efficacy and self-determination theories, mindfulness, and neuroscience.
I bring my curiosity, active listening, intuition, and toolkit of knowledge to enhance the coaching experience. No two clients are the same, and I provide different support for each unique individual even if the program is the same.
Why focus on health & wellness?
To materialize our dreams and desires, we need to have sustainability and energy. To have sustainability and energy, we need to have our health and wellness. As the adage goes, “health is wealth.”
On top of that, wellness is often thought of as just biometrics, nutrition, and fitness, but that only makes up a small portion of overall wellness.
Whether you’re looking to increase productivity, manage anxiety or stress or burnout, find a more fulfilling career, lead more effectively, improve sleep or fitness or nutrition, wellness is at the center of that journey.
What does it mean to be integrative?
Together, we look at the whole person – physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and more – to help you create sustainable solutions and improve your wellness, health, and well-being. While our focus will be on one thing at a time, it’s clear that different parts of our lives influence other parts.
Additionally, I use complementary, alternative, and integrative practices where needed – such as somatic therapy, parts work, and mindfulness – so that we can bring in the wisdom of many ways of knowing.
Integrating the Mind, Body & Spirit
Often times, we live in our minds, using logic to determine most of our decisions. Clearly, we are more than what goes on in our heads.
Integrative health & wellness coaching looks at the many ways of knowing that lives within us to address the changes we want to see and make.
We look at the whole person – physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and more – to help you create sustainable solutions to bring overall wellness, health, and well-being into your life.
By acknowledging the wisdom and interconnectedness of our minds, bodies, and spirits (or non-physical selves), we improve self-awareness and leverage science to address changes we want to make.
Not convinced? Read more research about the gut-brain connection and how diet can reduce depression and anxiety.
The Wellness Wheel
The Wellness Wheel is a model used to assess your overall wellness. It helps you determine and visualize what areas of your life are going well and what areas could use more attention.
Is your work or financial situation causing you stress and dissatisfaction? Perhaps insomnia is resulting in lower physical energy throughout the day?
Regardless of what your problem might be, by defining wellness more broadly, we’re able to capture a broader picture of your health and well-being to help you determine where you want to make changes in your life.
More Resources
The New York Times – We Could All Use a Health Coach
Harvard Health – Health coaching is effective. Should you try it?
Oprah.com – Why You Should Get a Health Coach
VeryWellFit – What is a wellness coach?