Health and Well-Being coaching is a client-centered, collaborative process where a coach supports and guides individuals in making sustainable changes to improve their overall health and well-being. This type of coaching focuses on helping clients set and achieve personal health goals, develop healthier habits, and overcome obstacles that might be preventing them from living their best lives.

Coaching sessions are guided conversations where we explore goals, clarify your values, identify strengths, and create small, strategic steps toward your vision of well-being. We use Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology, and behavior change science to support your journey — always honoring your pace and autonomy.

Additional information may be gathered such as healthcare provider recommendations, biometric and health risk assessment results, if needed. Values and Strengths-based exploration may be used in the form of surveys, as well as Visioning and Values exploration.

The length of time you work with a Health and Well-Being Coach varies depending on your specific goals, needs, and progress. Typically, clients might start with an initial commitment of 1 to 6 months, which allows enough time to set goals, develop action plans, and see meaningful progress. For more complex or long-term goals, you may choose to work with a coach for 6 months to a year or longer. As you progress, the frequency of sessions may decrease, transitioning to monthly or as-needed check-ins to maintain your momentum and ensure sustainable change. Ultimately, the duration is flexible and tailored to your personal journey toward better health and wellbeing.

Health and Well-Being Coaches are not required by law to be certified in most regions, but certification is HIGHLY recommended and increasingly expected by clients, employers, and industry professionals. Certification provides a standard of credibility, demonstrating that a coach has undergone rigorous training, adheres to professional ethics, and possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively support clients in achieving their health and wellness goals.

Certification benefits:

Credibility and Trust Certification from reputable organizations, such as the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), signals that a coach has met specific educational and professional standards. This can build trust and confidence in the coach’s abilities.

Professional Training: Certified health and wellness coaches typically undergo comprehensive training programs that cover behavior change, motivational interviewing, goal-setting, and other key coaching techniques. These programs ensure that coaches are well-prepared to help clients make sustainable lifestyle changes.

Ethical Standards: Certification often requires adherence to a code of ethics, ensuring that coaches maintain professional integrity and prioritize the wellbeing of their clients.

Continuing Education: Certified coaches are often required to pursue continuing education to stay current with the latest research, techniques, and best practices in the field. This ongoing learning helps them provide the most effective support to their clients.

Industry Recognition: Many employers, healthcare providers, and insurance companies prefer or require certification when hiring or partnering with health and wellness coaches. Certification can open doors to more opportunities within the industry.

No. I do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe. Coaching supports self-management, resilience, and sustainable lifestyle changes aligned with your values and clinical care, if applicable. In some cases, I work in conjunction

In simple terms, a Health and Well-Being Coach helps clients achieve specific health and lifestyle goals through behavior change and habit formation, focusing on overall well-being and future aspirations. A therapist, on the other hand, provides treatment for mental health issues, addressing deeper psychological and emotional challenges. While both can play vital roles in an individual’s wellness journey, their approaches, scope of practice, and goals differ significantly. Though some therapists offer coaching as well, Health and Well-Being Coaches do not offer therapy unless they are licensed to do so.

I am not a mental health provider, but I am trained to recognize when emotional support is needed and to create a safe, compassionate space for reflection, growth, and next steps.

If mental health concerns arise during coaching sessions that go beyond my scope, I collaborate with clients to connect them with licensed mental health professionals. I will be available, if needed, to work in parallel with therapy to help support both the clinical and the behavioral sides of healing and growth.

If you are seeking Health and Well-Being Coaching due to a chronic disease such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis. These conditions are often preventable and manageable through healthy lifestyle choices, and we believe that National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches can play a key role in helping individuals prevent and manage chronic diseases by providing personalized guidance and support.

If this is applicable, Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) provide the opportunity for you to pay for qualified medical expenses that insurance may not cover. These accounts are designed to give individuals tax advantages to offset health care costs, and they often cover many health care related expenses.

If you are interested in receiving benefits under their HSA/FSA for Health and Wellness Coaching, you should consult your physician to discuss your medical treatment and care plan. If the physician decides that you have a condition that warrants the support of a Health and Wellness Coach, they may recommend that course of treatment. In this instance, I can provide a “sample” Medical Letter of Necessity to the patient/client for record-keeping and claim submission.