Understanding the Role of a Health Coach

People want to be healthy more than ever before. The problem is most people don't know where—or how—to start. One way to start your wellness journey is to find a health coach who can help you reach your goals.

Hiring a health coach also will help you wade through the noise and develop a wellness routine that suits your lifestyle. Find out what to expect from a health coach so you can determine if hiring one is right for you.

What Is a Health Coach?

Health coaches are experts in helping you reach your health and wellness goals. Whether you're looking to reduce stress, improve self-care, focus on nutrition, start exercising more, or improve your quality of life, a health coach can help you create a plan and make it happen.

Health and wellness coaches use motivational interviewing and evidence-based approaches to empower you to take ownership, accountability, and leadership in your quest for well-being. They also help you identify areas that need improvement, develop a game plan, talk you through it, and encourage you along the way. Essentially, they're your personal cheerleader.

You can find health coaches working alongside physicians or other health professionals in a healthcare setting. Their role is to provide a more holistic approach to medicine. Other health coaches may work in a community setting, in the digital space, or as individual providers.

Services Provided by Health Coaches

To truly benefit from what a health coach offers, you'll need to understand what they're capable of providing. Here's what most health coaches can assist with:

• Diet and nutrition
• Exercise, movement, and sleep
• Spirituality insights
• Business and professional development
• Relationship building
• Social skill development
• Occupational wellness
• Financial stability
• Mental and emotional health

Think of a health coach as someone who helps you refine all aspects of your life. Your health coach may communicate with you daily or weekly, via telephone, in person, by text, email, or video.

They also will help you overcome barriers wherever you're struggling. A good health coach is an excellent listener and provides support for whatever your goals may be. Your health coach is your partner in crime and they are there for you until your goal is reached.

Qualifications and Certifications of Health Coaches

The term 'health coach' is unregulated. For that reason, it's important to ensure the providers you're considering have the qualifications and certifications necessary to be a proficient health coach. Because some certification programs offer a focus on specific areas (for example nutrition), it's a good idea to identify your own needs before choosing a health coach.

To be a health coach, you do not need a university degree. However, many health coach certifications are affiliated with colleges and have educational partnerships that qualify coursework and award college credits.

Training to become a health coach encompasses motivational interviewing, behavior change theories, health, fitness, nutrition promotion, goal setting, stress management, and coaching concepts.

Examples of Health Goals

A health coach is not a one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare. While your primary healthcare provider or physician provides a diagnosis and medical plan, a health coach can guide and support you through it, depending on your needs. But you do not need a medical condition to employ the services of a health coach. Here are some examples of health goals addressed by health coaches:

• Weight loss
• Stress reduction
• Lifestyle habits
• Smoking cessation
• Quality of life improvement
• Exercise
• Emotional and psychological health
• Financial health

Investing in a health coach is an exciting investment into your well-being, and helps send you on your way to reaching your health and wellness goals. But, it's easy to get caught up in the desire to make changes. Take a step back and assess whether a potential health coach is qualified to provide evidence-based care or if they're actually selling gimmicks.

There is nothing quick about health coaching. A reputable health coach will be honest about what you can expect from the coaching relationship and won't try to sell you something. Your healthcare provider may be a great resource and even have referrals to reputable health coaches in your area. Interview as many as you need until you find one that fits.