Where do Health Coaches fit among other health professionals?
Health and wellness coaching is an emerging field, with a variety of practitioners providing a diversity of wellness services. (1)
What is a Health Coach?
A health professional trained to provide information about, and support for: food, diet and lifestyle changes. A professional who helps individuals set and reach their health goals using diet and exercise tools and behavioral psychology principles. (1)
Health coaching utilizes the mutually invested relationship of coach-client to produce accountability and progress toward goals. The coach asks the client what changes they are willing to make to advance their health. Rather than the coach telling the client what changes to make and how to make those changes, the client stays in the directive role. The coach supplies relevant information and education to the client, empowering the client to get vision and create a plan toward better health.
Health coaches provide guidance and management in the major components of health, including diet, physical activity and wellness. They help people identify their ideal health goals, define a customized plan and guide them in putting the plan into action. This basically involves determining what areas of their clients’ lifestyle need to be changed for the better and making sure those changes are implemented. (4)
This form of coaching is a collective and highly individualized service that concentrates on enhancing wellness and health. It is used to help develop a person’s ability to attain short-term and extended health objectives. Whether addressing a whole laundry list of problem areas or only a couple of issues, the main emphasis is always on improving the client’s quality of life. (4)
What is the role of a Health Coach with a client?
1. Support for client self-management, this includes providing your client with educational resources, questions to provoke thought and clarity as well as help in being able to solve problems.
2. Counseling client to health care system and medical resources. A health coach may help their clients get connected to special organizations like Overeaters Anonymous, American Diabetes Association, and Assistance for the handicapped, etc.
3. Emotional support.
4. Support for client relationship with medical professionals. This may include taking health histories and providing it to specialists like doctors, chiropractors, dietitians, personal trainers, and psychologists. You might advise your clients to get a physical before participating in any weight loss programs.
5. Support health efforts throughout program.
While many people are “certified health coaches”, currently health coaches aren’t licensed as “nutritional advisers” in the United States. Health coaches who want to advise in the area of nutrition are subject to the statutes of the relevant nutrition laws for their state.
Health coaches should not provide medical advice and should not attempt to treat medical conditions or diseases. A health coach should not provide assessment of nutritional needs. It is your responsibility to understand the licensure laws of your jurisdiction and add or subtract according to your laws. If you are not a licensed dietitian, physician or mental health counselor, you may not offer these services or represent that you can or will offer these services. (3)
What type of client does Coach Keri typically work with?
The best clients are individuals who are motivated to improve their health and willing to be taught, accountable, and supported in the process.
What are typical goals Wholly Healthy clients set?
Typical goals include losing weight, eating better, drinking more water, getting more sleep, increasing exercise, and reducing stress.
What type of nutrition information can I expect to receive from Coach Keri?
Basic, publicly available, generic information about food and/or supplements, methods of preparation (food), nutrient data, physiological mechanisms of action, interactions, or other information that is not individualized or advising a course of action. For example, “Oranges contain Vitamin C.” (1)
What is the normal length of the coach-client relationship?
It depends on the client investment. The majority of Coach Keri's service packages for individual clients are 7-weeks long. This structure enables an individual to practice application, diligence, and priority adjustments while receiving care, encouragement and accountability for seven ongoing weeks. Upon the 8th week, they have a new beginning. Wholly Healthy also offers single, individual client sessions that are not connected to a package. Additionally, Wholly Healthy provides 6-hour large group workshops and 7-week small group meetings.
Why do I have to apply to be a client?
This is a security step all clients need to submit to. It confirms the positioning of Wholly Healthy clientele.
How do I pay for services?
Pay by selecting the "buy now" tab on the website. Proceed with entering the required personal and credit card information. Wholly Healthy will be notified of your purchase and you will receive a confirmation email.
Can I pay on a payment plan or do I need to pay at each session?
No, there are no payment plans available at this time. The packages need to be paid in full prior to the first session. Individual sessions need to be paid for and then can be scheduled. The total cost for workshops and small group meetings is also due prior to the first meeting.
Do Health Coaches collaborate with other types of Healthcare Practitioners?
Absolutely! When Practitioners and Coaches partner-they serve the people! A Health Coach can fill the gap between a doctor's recommendation and the patient's application and lifestyle changes. Health Coaches are able to spend focused time with patients, supporting them to develop health-supporting habits such as those recommended by their physicians, dietitians, physical/occupational therapists, etc. (5)
If you are a healthcare practitioner and interested in referring patients to Coach Keri, please email WhollyHealthyCompany@gmail.com.
What does it mean to be “certified”?
Holding a government credential authorizing one to practice an occupation in state with a Certification regulation for that occupation. (1)
Is Coach Keri a certified Health Coach?
Yes, Coach Keri has current certification with Dr. Sears Wellness Institute and is trained to work with families, women in pregnancy, and adults and elderly.
Is Dr. Sears Wellness Institute an Accredited School?
Yes, The Dr. Sears Wellness Institute is approved by the ICHWC, formerly known as the NCCHWC. (2)
What is the current nutrition law in the state Coach Keri Woods practices in?
It is legal for all to perform individualized nutrition counseling, other than medical nutrition therapy in some states. Some states offer state licensure or state certification to CNSs, RDs, and other advanced nutritionists.
This law is a Licensure with Exclusive Scope of Practice. Only a dietitian can be licensed to provide nutrition care including assessment, goal setting, counseling or advice. There is no licensure pathway for non-RD’s. There is an exemption for those licensed in dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, nursing or pharmacy who provide nutrition services incidental to their primary profession, but they may not use the titles “dietitian”, “dietician” or nutritionist.” There is also a broad exemption for "Any person who provides information or makes recommendations regarding lifestyle modifications, food, dietary supplements, or homeopathic remedies, for a consulting fee." There are specific requirements for disclosure by the practitioner, which he/she should review. (1)
In states with exclusive scope of practice laws, Health and Wellness Coaches, and any other unlicensed individual, may provide information about, and support for: food, diet and lifestyle changes that do not fall within the set of activities set out in the specific states nutrition and dietetics scope of practice laws and regulations. (1)
Many states that regulate the practice of individualized nutrition counseling provide exemptions and allowances for the communication of general, non-medical health and wellness information and supportive services. Providing publicly available information about, encouragement, or support for healthy food, diet and lifestyle that may prevent disease or improve overall health when not specifically recommended for a medical condition generally fall within this exemption. (1)
Are Health Coaches licensed professionals?
Currently health coaches are not licensed in any states in the United States. (1)
What is Wholly Heathy’s Medical Disclaimer and Limit of Liability Statement?
The information Wholly Healthy provides via company website, client sessions, workshops, and all social media avenues is to educate but not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease. All information distributed by Wholly Healthy through written or verbal work is the sole opinions of the company employees. The information therein is not intended as medical advice and should not be used to replace any specific medical care or any therapeutic program recommended by a medical doctor. Wholly Healthy distributes information merely to inform the reader/client. If you do anything recommended and/or suggested by this company without the supervision of a licensed healthcare practitioner, you do so at your own risk. Wholly Healthy shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage, or injury caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by information distributed. The advice and strategies distributed may not be suitable for every person or situation and is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Sources:
(1) http://nutritionadvocacy.org/healthwellness-coach
(2) https://www.drsearswellnessinstitute.org/health-coach-certification/faq/#toggle-id-8
(3) http://www.thehealthcoachgroup.com/blog/law-and-the-health-coach/
(4) http://www.exercise-science-guide.com/blog/5-most-popular-health-coaching-certifications/
(5) http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/823559_6