Where does this fit in with my medical care?

Health coaching is complimentary to your primary medical care.

Health coaches use several strategies to help you achieve a goal you set. Strategies include actively listening to you, helping you formulate the vision you have for a healthy future and guiding you in making goals.  These strategies help you clarify what you want, explore options, enhance personal accountability, and act for optimal health. In our sessions we explore the importance of these goals in your life and work to create confidence that you can achieve the goals. We discuss possible barriers and address them so that you can more easily pass by them.  

Remember, you are the ultimate owner of your life and health! You drive the agenda. You are the expert on your own life. Coaching uses the whole-person approach and is progress oriented. This means that we are looking at you, not just your cholesterol level or blood pressure. 

Moving forward is the goal of the process. 

Health coaching does not replace your doctor or your therapist. 

Doctors are trained to diagnose and make treatment recommendations which can include lifestyle changes. Sometimes doctors may not listen enough to you at times or really understand what is important to you. Doctors also like to tell you what to do and you may not be ready to do what they say to do! 

In my experience as a primary care physician I sometimes felt unprepared to help guide patients to sustained life changes that could benefit them. I became interested in the concept of health and wellness coaching after hearing about it at a national preventative medicine conference several years ago.   

You are the expert in your health; the coach is responsible for guiding the health behavior change process. There is no diagnosing, treatment planning, or making medical recommendations. 

Having a health and wellness coach in your corner is a wonderful example of self-care. 

MEANING: Working with a coach will help you understand what is important to you first.  MOVEMENT: Using a strategic framework, you will create goals and ways to keep you accountable on your way to WELLNESS. This model is progress driven and advances based on your timeline. You are the expert on yourself and are in charge here. 

Many health systems and insurance companies are starting to realize the benefits of health coaching and see health and wellness coaches as an integral part of the team to take care of the whole individual. 

Health care reimbursement is moving towards value-based care which means the importance of getting someone to a health goal is more important than how many times you see them. Team- based care is being emphasized as well and involves physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, nutritionists, social workers, health and wellness coaches, and physical therapists/exercise experts.  There is movement to have health coaching covered under insurance, but it is not currently an option.

Integrative health coaches work with the whole person, take time to listen to a person’s concerns, and use practiced skills to help motivate a person to make changes. Coaches don’t judge you. Coaches partner with you. This is a partnership over time for sustainable change. Small steps turn into big changes. As we take each step together, we will learn about what works and does not work in your real life and make any needed adjustments so the practices and habits that support the health you want become your new normal. Coaches empower you, help you create accountability strategies, and facilitate a mindset needed to be successful in lifestyle changes. You will develop a heightened personal awareness. Coaches can also provide additional resources for making healthy behavioral change.

 Our discussions are confidential and authentic.