About Coaching
What is Evidence-Based Health Coaching?
According to the National Society of Health Coaches:
"The National Society of Health Coaches describes Evidence-Based Health Coaching (EBHC)® as the use of evidence-based skillful conversation, clinical strategies and interventions to actively and safely engage clients in health behavior change to better self-manage their health, health risk, and acute and chronic conditions resulting in optimal wellness, lowered health risk, improved health outcomes and decreased health costs.”
Is Wellness Coaching the same as Health Coaching?
Merriam-Webster defines wellness as the quality of state of being healthy; or in good health, especially as an activity-sought goal. The Centers for Disease Control define wellness as the degree to which one feels positive and enthusiastic about life. Therefore, it can be reasoned that wellness coaching is guidance and inspiration provided to otherwise "healthy" individuals who desire to maintain or improve their overall general health.
In contrast, the premise of the NSHC is that health coaching is provided to those with disease, acute and chronic conditions, co-morbidities, and/or high health risks and shall be conducted by licensed/credentialed healthcare professionals.
Common conditions that can benefit from Health Coaching:
- Weight loss management
- Diabetes management
- Heart health
- Stress management
- Smoking cessation
- Medication management
What is Life Coaching?
A Life Coach helps people make progress in their lives in order to attain greater fulfillment. Life coaches help their clients clarify their goals, identify the obstacles holding them back, and then explore and come up with their best strategies for overcoming each obstacle. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) - the leading global coaching organization and professional association for coaches - defines coaching as "partnering with clients in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential." An effective coach works with clients to help them live a better, richer life, regardless of their type of goals.
What is Health and Wellness Coaching?
A Health and Wellness Coach helps people develop individualized strategies for improving their physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, and occupational health to enhance their overall well-being. Health and wellness coaches partner with their clients to support their effort to adopt or maintain a healthy lifestyle through long-term positive health changes, motivation, and support.
There is a lot of cross over between Life Coaching and Health and Wellness Coaching. I believe in looking at the whole person to facilitate each client finding their personal path towards achieving their health and wellness goals. Your coach is your advocate who wants the best from you to reach your goals and to succeed.