Description of Health Coach Role

Health coaching is a skillful and evidence-based approach that actively engages clients in behavior change to improve their well-being. Health coaches are certified professionals who guide clients with chronic conditions or those at risk for chronic conditions.

Wellness coaching, rooted in positive psychology and motivational interviewing, facilitates healthy behavior change by helping clients develop inner wisdom, identify values, and turn goals into action.

While health coaches cannot prescribe diets like licensed dietitians, they examine clients' lives to identify obstacles and choose courses of action. Both professions believe that clients have the answers within them; they just need guidance.

As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, I specialize in nutrition, physical activity, relationships, career, and spirituality. I understand the impact these elements have on markers of health such as stress levels and energy.

I am not claiming to be an authority but rather someone who consistently practices what I preach. I am open to learning from those I support along my path. My goal is to help you transform your desires into small, sustainable goals while creating a safe space for you to become the expert of your own health.

Regardless of where you are on your health journey or how physically fit you may be already, working with a certified health coach can benefit anyone. My expertise lies in facilitating personalized mindset and lifestyle transformations from the inside-out because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to health.

Think of me as a compassionate guide on your purposeful path towards health and healing. Together we will navigate any detours or obstacles encountered along the way.

CARE COORDINATION

As a health coach, I understand the importance of collaboration and coordination when it comes to supporting clients' overall well-being. I work closely with clients' existing healthcare providers to ensure a comprehensive approach to their care. By maintaining open lines of communication, I can effectively implement care plans that align with the recommendations and treatments prescribed by their doctors or specialists. This collaborative approach allows for a holistic understanding of the client's health needs and ensures that all aspects of their well-being are addressed.

In implementing care plans, I serve as a bridge between clients and their healthcare providers. By staying informed about any medical conditions or specific dietary requirements, I can tailor my coaching strategies to support these unique needs. Whether it involves providing guidance on nutrition choices that align with prescribed diets or incorporating exercise routines recommended by physical therapists, my goal is to seamlessly integrate my coaching services into the client's overall healthcare journey. Through ongoing communication and regular updates with healthcare providers, we can work together towards achieving optimal health outcomes for each individual client.

NUTRITIONISTS AND DIETITIANS   

Many individuals who don't have intensive medical conditions still require guidance for their overall health. This support can come from Integrative Nutrition Health Coaches, not just nutritionists or registered dietitians. These coaches provide accountability and coaching to help people implement lifestyle changes.

Integrative Nutrition Health Coaches have expertise in living a healthy lifestyle, incorporating nutritious foods, exercise, and promoting balance. They work with clients through ongoing coaching plans to support their goals. While dietary nutrition is discussed, there is also a focus on non-food forms of nourishment such as career, relationships, physical activity, and spirituality.

These coaches assess clients' overall well-being and collaborate with them to develop recommendations for implementing basic health-supportive modifications.

THERAPISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS   

While Health Coaches, therapists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals all excel in listening skills, their approaches to working with clients vary. Therapists typically delve into a client's past to explore unhealthy thought patterns and influences. In contrast, Integrative Nutrition Health Coaches primarily focus on the present and future.

Integrative Nutrition Health Coaches emphasize clients' strengths and assist them in making immediate lifestyle changes to progress towards their goals.

REFERENCES  

• Lee, Jason. (2013, January 18). Dietitians do more than tell you what to eat.  Chicago Tribune.  Retrieved from https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/wellness-coach-job-description • 10 reasons to visit an RDN. (2015, September 22). Academy of Nutrition and  Dietetics.  Retrieved from www.eatright.org/resource/food/resources/learn-more-about rdns/10-reasons-to-visit-an-rdnHealth Coaching Definition:Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_coaching