Hiring a Health Coach: A Guide to Wellness Goals

Individuals striving to be healthy may not know where or how to start. Can hiring a health coach help individuals start their wellness journey and reach their goals?

Hiring A Health Coach

It’s easy to get caught up in the desire to make changes, but it is another thing to actually set a consistent plan in motion. Hiring a health coach can help individuals understand the information, develop an effective wellness routine that suits their lifestyle, and achieve health and wellness goals. A primary healthcare provider could be a resource and have referrals to reputable health coaches in the area.

What Do They Do?

Health coaches are experts in helping individuals reach health and wellness goals. This can be:

• Reducing stress
• Improving self-care
• Focusing on nutrition
• Starting exercise
• Improving quality of life

A health coach helps create a plan and makes it happen.

• Health and wellness coaches use motivational interviewing and evidence-based approaches to empower individuals in their wellness journey. (Adam I Perlman, Abd Moain Abu Dabrh. 2020)
• They help identify areas that need improvement, develop a plan, and encourage the individual all the way like a personal fitness trainer.
• Health coaches work with physicians and/or other health professionals in a clinical setting or as individual providers.
• Their role is to provide a holistic approach to health and wellness.

Services Provided

Health coaches can provide and assist with: (Shivaun Conn, Sharon Curtain 2019)

• Diet and nutrition
• Exercise, movement
• Sleep
• Mental and emotional health
• Occupational wellness
• Relationship building
• Social skills building

A health coach is someone who helps organize and balance various aspects of an individual’s life so they can learn to maintain optimal health.

• They will help overcome barriers when struggling.
• A health coach listens and provides support for whatever an individual’s goals may be.
• A health coach is there until the goal is reached.

Qualifications

It is important to ensure the providers being considered have the necessary qualifications. Because some certification programs offer a focus on specific areas like nutrition, it’s recommended to identify what is needed before choosing a health coach. Health coaches do not need a university degree, however, many certifications are affiliated with colleges and have educational partnerships that qualify coursework and award college credits. Training to become a health coach consists of: (Shivaun Conn, Sharon Curtain 2019)

• Health
• Fitness
• Goal setting
• Coaching concepts
• Nutritional concepts
• Motivational interviewing
• Stress management
• Changing behaviors

Health Goal Examples

Health coaching is not a one-size-fits-all approach. A primary healthcare provider or physician provides a diagnosis and medical plan, and a health coach helps guide and support the individual through the plan. However, hiring a health coach does not require a medical condition to employ services. A few examples of health goals that health coaches address include:

• Improving quality of life
• Reducing stress and management
• Lifestyle habits
• Weight loss
• Exercise
• Physical activity
• Emotional and psychological health
• Quitting smoking

Finding a Health Coach

A few things to consider.

Health Goals

• Determine goals and expectations.
• There are many types of health coaches and some may specialize, therefore try to determine the expertise needed to achieve the goals.

Budget

• Determine how much money will be invested, as many insurance providers do not cover the cost of a health coach.
• Health coaches may charge between $50 to $300 per session.
• Some will offer packages, memberships, and/or discounts.

Certifications

• Look into their certification.
• Is it accredited?
• This will ensure choosing a coach who has received the training and expertise needed to provide quality care.

Compatibility

• Consult with potential coaches.
• Ask questions and see if they are compatible with specific health goals.
• Interview as many as needed.

Availability/Location

• Virtual sessions, in-person meetings, and/or a combination?
• How long are the sessions?
• Frequency of meetings?
• Finding a coach that is flexible and convenient will help maintain a healthy coach/client relationship.

Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment

References

Perlman, A. I., & Abu Dabrh, A. M. (2020). Health and Wellness Coaching in Serving the Needs of Today’s Patients: A Primer for Healthcare Professionals. Global advances in health and medicine, 9, 2164956120959274. https://doi.org/10.1177/2164956120959274

Conn, S., & Curtain, S. (2019). Health coaching as a lifestyle medicine process in primary care. Australian journal of general practice, 48(10), 677–680. https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-07-19-4984