WHAT IS A HEALTH COACH?
A health coach is a non-medical professional that supports clients in making sustainable lifestyle changes that improve their overall health. Health coaches adopt a holistic view of health. In addition to physical health, factors that affect spiritual and/or emotional health are also addressed. Health coaches use a blend of motivational interviewing, positive psychology, and change management techniques to guide their clients through the transformations and changes the client identifies as meaningful or important. Your health coach is your personal mentor, guide, and accountability partner. Our goal is to support our clients. As such, we will never prescribe what change needs to be made. Instead, health coaches ask thoughtful questions that facilitate self-discovery and encourage the client to implement behavioral changes that support their communicated goals.
WHAT CAN A HEALTH COACH HELP ME WITH?
Health coaches can help with the following. Feel free to book a wellness work-up call to see if coaching with Owen is the right fit for you! 🩶 weight management 🩶 chronic disease management 🩶 behavioral change support 🩶 improving fitness and physical activity 🩶 smoking cessation 🩶 sleep improvement 🩶 achieving balance in life
HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO WORK WITH A HEALTH COACH FOR?
The length of the coaching relationship is determined by the client. Coaching is not a quick fix and requires hard work and commitment on your part to see results. As such, I recommend working with a coach for a minimum of 3 - 6 months. As a coach, my goal is to empower you to make sustainable lifestyle changes. Once you feel as though you no longer need the additional support of a coach, you are encouraged and expected to share that with me so that we can end the coaching relationship. I'll always be here in case you need additional support down the line, but the goal is not for you to have to work with a coach forever. Once you have the tools you need and feel confident in your ability to continue to implement them, you are free to stop coaching.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
To get started, schedule your wellness work-up call. After the call, if we both determine that coaching with me will be a good fit for you, you will be given the option to purchase individual coaching sessions or a package of sessions. Sessions can be used for up to 1 year from the date they were purchased, and the cadence of the sessions are up to you. Some clients choose to meet weekly, while others prefer meeting every other week or even monthly. I'm here to support you in the way that makes the most sense for you!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEALTH COACHING AND THERAPY OR COUNSELING?
A health coach is not a therapist or counselor. Coaches do not give advice, nor can we unpack past traumas with clients. Counseling sessions focus on mental health, emotional healing, and reconciliation of past experiences, while health coaching sessions are more forward focused and goal-oriented. A health coach works with you, the client, to achieve specific wellness goals and improve your lifestyle by providing motivation, guidance, and practical strategies for change.
WHAT IS A HEALTH COACHING SESSION LIKE?
Coaching sessions usually last for 45-50 minutes. Because health coaching is you-centric and personalized to your specific needs, clients are asked to come to each session prepared with a topic they'd like to address or goal they want help with. This is called the 'agenda.' Once the agenda is set, as a coach, I may ask probing questions to clarify your need, identify your motivation behind the stated goal, bolster your confidence, and help you to create a realistic action plan that will move you toward accomplishing the specific goal you identified. As a coach, I do not give advice. Instead, I will ask a lot of questions to help you articulate the answer and solution you already have within.
HOW DO I KNOW IF COACHING IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Health coaching is for you if you are ready and willing to commit to doing the work necessary to change your habits and improve your health. You know these changes are important to make, but you need a bit of support and accountability. You are more likely to reach your health goals while working with a coach because we can provide the support, positive reinforcement, and evidence-based knowledge and expertise you need to stay consistent and motivated as you work towards your goal.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T GET RESULTS?
Great question. Please note that results aren't guaranteed. They are earned. As your health and wellness coach, I commit to showing up and being fully present with you during our sessions to help you craft an action plan that you can implement. However, the real work happens OUTSIDE of coaching, and you have to be willing to do your part. Before agreeing to be coached, you must be willing to commit to being disciplined and making the changes required for you to reach your goals. Because of the time involved, coaching services are non-refundable.