What is Health & Wellness Coaching?

This article is written by guest contributing writer Stefania Coxon.

You may recognize this lovely human because she is yoga to cope’s very own volunteer coordinator. If you haven’t seen her face around perhaps you have heard her voice as she was also recently on our podcast. Yoga to Cope is excited to introduce to you, Stefania Coxon.

Picture provided by Stefania Coxon

Picture provided by Stefania Coxon

What is Health & Wellness Coaching? 

In the continually growing virtual world, social media, influencers, and anyone who has access to the internet it seems we are being inundated with more and more information, especially that related to the ever-growing industry of health. 

In some aspects we are grateful for access to so many resources and have the option to choose which work best for us, personally, emotionally, financially; however, there is also the oversaturation of the wellness market, with so many companies and organizations including “wellness” in their descriptors. This can be overwhelming and confusing. While wellness is, and should always be, subjective to the individual we still should do our due diligence when trusting someone with our healthcare.

So what is a health & wellness coach? In a nutshell, they are an ally, trained to help guide individuals in assessing their current states of wellness, honoring the fact that each client is an expert on their own life. Exploring these dimensions and discovering goals and strategies for lasting lifestyle behavior change. Learning about their body, their own physiology, the importance of change of mindset to successfully progress toward these goals; toward their optimal state of health & wellness. 

Health and wellness coaches are not know-it-alls who tell clients exactly what to do to live their healthiest life. While some may have broader scopes of practice, coaches are not going to put together a specific meal plan or offer personal training sessions, instead, they will offer ways in which to focus on the tiny habits that can affect your behaviors in these dimensions. 

Wellness coaches are trained professionals to help encourage behavior changes through small changes, small changes that can cause ripple effects, and help clients feel inspired and motivated to take steps to positively change their life. Setting themselves up for success is a process, one of trial and correction; this will consist of meeting consistently with a coach, establishing very detailed goals as tiny steps toward the bigger picture. 

So how does coaching vary from other professionals? The focus of coaching is on growth and the present and future, whereas therapy for example delves more into the past. Counseling and therapy are wonderful parts of health care, and they do have their time and place: specialization, problems, analysis, and diagnosis have their places in counseling and therapy.

The coach approach includes referring out or exploring information and resources together, it is action-based and focused on goals, taking responsibility, planning, and finding solutions for the individual. Coaching and therapy can be done in conjunction, and there are instances where a referral to another specialist may be offered if it is out of the scope of practice of the coach. Both therapy and coaching are unbiased, non-judgmental safe spaces for clients to dialogue with an ally, sharing their hopes and goals. 

How do we know what coaches to trust? Who are they? Anyone who has completed a proper health & wellness coach certification program is a great start. A salesperson and a health coach are not the same thing, meaning someone selling protein powder & detox teas usually has no formal education in wellness and will not be able to provide a client with adequate care. Yes some coaches might have products they sell, but only selling “wellness products” does not qualify someone as a coach.

Scope of practice is a big deal in the field, most of us professionals try to stay in our lane; that being said there should be no offense taken or push-back when a coach is asked for their credentials. Do not be afraid to ask a coach about their experience or their expertise. Another source is the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaches, which is the governing board in collaboration with the National Board for Medical Examiners which certifies the representation of advanced training, education, and standards. 

In the words of W. Timothy Gallwey, coaching is “the art of creating an environment, through conversation and a way of being, that facilitates the process by which a person can move toward desired goals in a fulfilling manner.” My mission as a coach is simple: give my clients the wellness education, tools, and resources that they need to feel happy, healthy, and capable of managing life’s pressures. As with any sort of personal growth, therapy, counseling, dating, training, there is a coach out there for everyone. A connection is key and it’s all about finding the right fit.

Ways to connect with and follow Stef include:

Stefania Coxon