What is a health coach
Training and need for coaching
"Chronic illnesses are at an all-time high, making personalized health care and lifestyle solutions more crucial than ever. Therefore, Harvard Medical School has created a program that allows you to delve into the BEING and DOING of coaching. The program aims to equip you with comprehensive theory, practical tools, essential knowledge, and effective skills, empowering you to successfully guide others toward adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyles. It is a program that is sure to be rewarding in many ways."[1]
Board Certification
"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."[2]
Legal disclaimer
Health coaching is not currently regulated, anyone can provide it. However, falsely claiming certification would be illegal false advertising.[3]