I'm so glad you asked! Here is a fantastic definition laid out by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC):

"National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWC) support clients in activating internal strengths and external resources to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle behavior changes. NBC-HWCs use a client-centered approach wherein clients decide their goals, engage in self-discovery or active learning processes, and self-monitor behaviors to increase accountability, all within the context of an interpersonal relationship with a health coach.

Whatever goal the client sets, the health coach ensures that they are supported until the desired outcome is achieved. Our board-certified coaches display an unconditional positive regard for their clients and have trained to the highest standards in the profession which means that they have the skills and knowledge to walk alongside you on your path to your healthiest self."

In addition to that definition, please see the NBHWC's description of the scope of practice for a health coach:

"Health and wellness coaches engage individuals and groups in evidence-based, client-centered processes that facilitate and empower clients to develop and achieve self-determined, health and wellness goals. Coaches assist clients to use their own insight, personal strengths, and resources to set goals, commit to action steps, and establish accountability in building an envisioned healthy lifestyle. In this way, coaches empower clients through encouragement, exploration, the mobilization of internal strengths, the identification and utilization of external resources, and through the support and development of self-management strategies for executing sustainable, healthy lifestyle changes.

The coach’s role is one of accountability partner, not director, in navigating behavioral change and exploring opportunities for growth and development. As facilitators of the behavior change process, health and wellness coaches support clients to achieve self-directed goals and behavioral changes consistent with the client’s vision for health and wellbeing, informed by any treatment plans prescribed by the client’s professional healthcare team. When appropriate, health and wellness coaches may offer evidence-based resources or information from nationally recognized authorities. Additionally, when working under the license of a qualified medical or allied health professional (e.g., physician, psychologist, physical therapist), health and wellness coaches may support the implementation of those professionals’ treatment plans. On their own, however, coaches themselves do not diagnose, interpret medical data, prescribe or de-prescribe, recommend supplements, provide nutrition consultation or create meal plans, provide exercise prescription or instruction, consult and advise, or provide psychological therapeutic interventions* or treatment.

Health and wellness coaches who hold additional, active, national or state-recognized credentials may provide expert support and guidance within their professional scope for that credential; however, disclosure of the professional role and potential conflicts of interest must be discussed with the client and documented from the onset of a professional relationship. Health and wellness coaches should only function in dual roles with conscious intention and by clearly outlining both professional capacities, through discussion and documentation, as well as defining the boundaries of each. Further, health and wellness coaches must be well-versed in the professional capacity of each role, including the limits of knowledge and skills respective to each role, understand and demonstrate how to work within the limits of each professional role, and comply with all guiding ethical principles to ensure client interests and needs are at the forefront of the coach-client partnership.

*Therapeutic interventions are methods by which relevant, qualified professionals attempt remediation of a diagnosed medical or mental health condition, guided by the indications and contraindications noted for the intervention itself. Examples of therapeutic interventions provided in the context of treatment include, but are not limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems Therapy, and other such therapies and treatments relevant to the treatment of diagnosed medical and mental health conditions."

While life coaches can certainly provide valuable guidance, health coaches offer a more specialized, clinically-oriented service with demonstrable health benefits. Additionally, health coaches are a professionally recognized role within the healthcare landscape. 

Specialized Focus

Health coaches concentrate on evidence-based practices to help their clients change their behaviors and improve their physical health and wellness. They often work alongside healthcare providers, integrating their services into medical care plans. This specialized focus allows health coaches to address specific health concerns and chronic conditions.

Professional Certification

Many health coaches obtain board certification from the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). This certification ensures that health coaches meet rigorous standards in training, education, and assessment (Coach Steve is board certified!). The NBHWC developed their board certification test in partnership with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), which is the same entity that provides the standardized licensing tests that physicians must pass in order to become licensed. 

Evidence-Based Practice

The effectiveness of health coaching is supported by a growing body of scientific research. Health coaching interventions often lead to quantifiable and clinically significant benefits, including increases in physical activity, impoved dietary habits,  increases in client-reported quality of life, and improvement  in health markers such as HbA1c levels, BMI, and blood pressure. Additionally, the research indicates that the changes associated with health coaching are sustainable, lasting far longer than the duration of the health coaching itself.

Working with a health coach is a very fun and positive experience. It is also challenging! You will be faced with many deep questions to consider and also many new and/or uncomfortable situations. Your work with me extends beyond our sessions into your daily life, where you will be trying out new things, executing your plans, and maybe even doing the occasional homework assignment! 

To get a better understanding about what it's like to enter into a health coaching relationship, I encourage you to schedule a discovery call with me! 

Never. If that is what you are looking for, you are not in the right place.

In health coaching, you, the client, are always in charge. You set the pace, the goals, and the focus. You define what success looks like and you determine how to proceed. The health coach helps you do all of that and provides guidance when necessary, but never takes control away from you. The reason for this is because for us to make lasting change in our lives, we need to get used to being the one calling the shots, not simply taking orders.

That is up to you! Your health and wellness are your responsibility, and so are the choices about what lifestyle changes you want to make. While I specialize in helping people with the ACLM's 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, we can apply behavior change methods to just about anything you desire. Our focus will always be on the things that are most important to you, not the things that are important to anyone else.

For new clients, the 6 session package is required. It is enough time to for us to get to know each other, make some progress, and be sure we are a good fit. At the conclusion of the 6 sessions, you and I will be free to come up with a new plan, which might include a larger session package, or single "tune up" sessions.

No.  A health coach does not provide medical, mental health, or nutritional/dietary services any kind. Rather, a board-certified health coach professional is an expert in behavior change who can provide consistent and tailored support and guidance to help you progress towards achieving the goals that  you set for yourself.