Health coaching is a partnership between a client and a coach. Both the coach and the client are equal and experts in different topics. The client has the knowledge and expertise of himself/herself such as patterns and behaviors. The coach is the information expert and how to help the client reach goals. If you have a new health diagnosis or keep falling off the wagon, a health coach is someone who helps you develop skills and habits to reach those goals. A health coach is not someone you see to hold you accountable but they teach you how to hold yourself accountable. The ultimate goal of a health coach is for the client to learn the tools and skills needed to make behavior changes and to graduate from the program and no longer need your help.
Some things a health coach will do
- help with implementation
- help the client uncover what they already know how to do
- help guide clients through small meaningful changes that will stick and lead to their ultimate health goal
- tap into resources within themselves
- teach the client to hold themselves accountable
Health coaches are in a partnership/relationship but also a leadership position. The client leads the session topics and discovers from themselves what they need to do. The coach leads the clients to these self-discoveries and steers the path.
