Finally Achieve Lasting Change

Doctors often tell patients that they need to make lifestyle changes in order to improve their health. Still other people are striving to change in order to improve weight, stress, hormones or general health and well-being. Often we’re burned out from starting and stopping so many times. It seems like nothing we try works. We’re busy and it feels impossible to exercise regularly or prepare healthy meals. One thing is for sure, change can be challenging for all of us.

Recently, I was interviewed by functional medicine practitioner, Laura Dankof. We discussed this topic of change and what makes health coaching so effective. Watch this video clip to learn more.

Why Health Coaching Is So Effective

But what does make health coaching so effective? To fully understand, it’s important to talk about roles. Health coaches don’t diagnose, treat or give specific advice about medical conditions like a medical provider does.

Traditionally, an expert like a physician gives advice and assumes that people will change their behavior once they have information that indicates they should. The motivation for the person, or the patient in this case, is completely extrinsic: “My doctor told me I have to…”How many of us love to be told what to do and then run right out and do it? None of us, right?

The coach, on the other hand, takes a collaborative approach that a physician doesn’t have the time to do. A coach encourages clients to talk about their need for change and their own reasons for wanting to change. Coaches help their client tap into their deep intrinsic motivators. In other words, they get clear on what’s important to the client. Then the coach trusts that the best ideas for how to change come from the client. Together, they identify those.

So instead of being “told” what to do, the client develops the plan of action, with their coach’s assistance.

The coach helps the client focus on realistic goals, celebrate wins, and stay accountable so the changes become reality.

This is so important because medical providers have very limited time in which to spend with their patients. Their focus needs to be, as in the case of a functional medicine practitioner, on getting to the root cause of what’s causing a patient’s challenges, and recommending appropriate interventions or changes.

The medical provider doesn’t have the time, or the coach training, to really sit down and connect with their patients in this way over the long term. So, ideally this is a team effort in the healthcare space… patient or client, medical provider, and health coach.

Through this partnership, the client or patient feels heard, supported, and empowered to actually make and sustain those changes in a way, and for a purpose, that feels meaningful to them.

Your Life and Health Coach

As a certified coach, I work with individuals in three ways: classes and workshops, group coaching, and individual life or health coaching.

I will also work inside of an organization in much the same way, meeting with leaders or other individuals and groups to help them achieve greater well-being… physically, emotionally and socially. I’m certified in the assessment and use of emotional intelligence to build greater effectiveness, stronger relationships, increased well-being and better life satisfaction.

As you might imagine, health coaching focuses on creating healthy habits and positive change that help the client heal or be their best self. Sometimes it’s about finding purpose in their health journey. But sometimes complete healing isn’t possible and then coaching is about learning to experience well-being in the midst of health challenges.

Because of my own health journey, I have a particular interest in women’s health and hormone balance; in food sensitivities and supporting gut health, and how our gut health impacts our brain and emotional health. If you are someone who knows or suspects you have food sensitivities and you want support during an elimination diet or to learn how to eat and thrive with food sensitivities, I live it every day!

As a coach who specializes in the science of how our brains work and the impact our thoughts and emotions have on our actions and ability to make lasting change, I also love working with my clients who struggle with emotion-driven or stress eating.

Finally, individual life coaching addresses personal and/or professional development goals. Often, I work with clients who are in transition, a redefining or “what’s next” time in their lives. Or sometimes there’s a big dream that the client is ready to go after and they need or want support in that.

Coaching is Client-Focused and Goal-Driven

Coaching is very client-focused. This means that the coaching relationship is based on what’s most important to you and what you want to accomplish. It’s always supportive, goal-driven and forward-moving. You get to decide on and commit to actions that you’re going to take, each session, that move you forward toward your goal. There’s an accountability mechanism built in.

Together we work through obstacles that sometimes get in the way as you work toward change and achieving your goal. We collaborate and walk this out, together, until you reach your goal or feel you’re ready to move forward solo.

If you’d like to experience this and finally reach your goals, simply schedule a Connection Call so we can talk about possibilities and what’s important to you.