Health coaching

Health coaching is a process that facilitates healthy, sustainable behavior change by challenging a client to develop their inner wisdom, identify their values, and transform their goals into action. Health coaching draws on the principles from positive psychology and the practices of motivational interviewing and goal setting.

Definition[edit | edit source]

The National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC) has defined health coaching as "the use of evidence-based skillful conversation, clinical interventions and strategies to actively and safely engage client/patients in health behavior change. Health coaches are certified or credentialed to safely guide clients and patients who may have chronic conditions or those at moderate to high risk for chronic conditions."

Role of a Health Coach[edit | edit source]

A health coach is a supportive mentor and wellness authority helping clients feel their best through food & lifestyle changes by tailoring individualized wellness programs to meet their clients' needs. Relationships, exercise, career, and spirituality are just as important to your health as the food you eat. Health Coaches understand this and take a holistic approach to supporting the whole person.

Health Coaching Process[edit | edit source]

The health coaching process focuses on the facilitation of and support for behavioral change, rather than information exchange or education. The health coach, therefore, is not necessarily a health care professional, but a person who works with individuals to help them self-manage their health and achieve their health goals.

Health Coaching in Healthcare[edit | edit source]

Health coaching is becoming recognized as a new way to help individuals "manage" their illnesses and conditions, especially those of a chronic nature. The coach will use special techniques, personal experience, expertise and encouragement to assist the coachee in bringing his/her behavioral changes about, while aiming for lowered health risks and decreased healthcare costs.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Health coaching Resources
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