Why health
coaching?

Q: I know what a life coach is; what exactly is a health coach?

A: A health coach, like a life or business coach, helps guide you and develop strategies towards your goals. Rather than focusing on career and personal life issues, a health coach focuses predominantly on physical issues, but may also delve into spiritual and emotional aspects of your health.

Q: What kind of ailments and concerns can a health coach be useful for addressing?

A: Health coaches can be useful in a diverse array of complaints:

• creating a plan for greater work-life-health balance
• exploring novel evidence-based approaches to resolving chronic pain triggered by life stressors
• developing new tools for specific chronic diseases like diabetes, pain, fibromyalgia, hypothyroid disorders, and digestive problems
• implementing creative tools for stress and weight management
• strategizing new habits and routines following cancer or other serious illness
• providing support around grief and loss.

Q: Do I need to abandon advice given to me by my doctor or other health specialists to best take advantage of a health coach?

A: Absolutely not. Recommendations from a health coach are never meant to outweigh sound medical advice from your doctor or other practitioners you already benefit from. A health coach can be a valuable part of your wellness team, working collaboratively with your other health professionals.

Q: Is health coaching something that requires a long-term relationship and sessions over many months?

A: There are some short-term symptoms - like situational anxiety and depression, localized non urgent pain, or a single food sensitivity - that may only need a few consultations to adequately address. Most chronic problems and health issues, however, are best resolved by a series of health coaching sessions which take place over a period of three or more months. The length of total time required greatly depends on the rapport and trust between coach and client, as well as the severity of symptoms the client is experiencing.