Wellness coaches work to improve the physical and mental well-being of their clients by providing advice on nutrition, fitness, sleep habits, stress management, and other lifestyle factors that affect overall health. They may work with a client individually or in group sessions to support long-term success.
The primary role of a wellness coach is to provide support, motivation and guidance to their clients when helping them develop and implement long-term plans to achieve personal wellness goals. Unlike a health coach, who might focus more on individual health concerns like smoking cessation or weight loss, a wellness coach works to improve all areas of a clients lifestyle.
Typically, wellness coaches are certified through an accredited organization and must complete the requirements for certification before they can be employed. They also often pursue a graduate degree in a related field to advance their careers and increase their earning potential.
Most wellness coaches have a bachelors or masters degree in a field related to the profession such as health science, psychology, dietetics, or public health. This helps them develop the skills needed to be an effective wellness coach and provides a solid foundation for the career.
Coaching Qualifications
As a wellness coach, you must be highly motivated and passionate about your work. You must also be able to listen to your clients in a compassionate way, while ensuring that you remain neutral and do not judge or criticize them. You must also be able to create an environment where you can help your clients overcome obstacles and find solutions that will lead to long-term changes in their lives.
In addition to the above skills, a successful wellness coach must be able to communicate effectively. This includes making phone calls, sending emails and meeting with clients to evaluate their needs and plan wellness goals.
The ability to ask insightful questions, listen intently and without judgment, and identify sources of inspiration for your clients is an essential part of this job. You must be able to assess your clients strengths and weaknesses, and understand the root cause of their issues.
Depending on the specific areas of coaching, you might be able to work with people in many different domains such as financial management, career development, life planning and relationships, among others. The coaching process involves creating a supportive environment, identifying and dealing with self-limiting beliefs and patterns and sharing information and resources that are relevant to the clients needs.
You can learn how to become a wellness coach through an accredited program, but most employers prefer that you have a bachelors degree. Some professionals choose to complete a certification program before pursuing an undergraduate degree, while others may start out with a college degree in kinesiology or business, and then take a certified wellness coach program after graduation.
A wellness coach can work in a variety of settings such as health clubs, fitness centers, and hospitals. They can also work on their own or with other professional health care providers, such as doctors and therapists.
