Natural Awakenings Twin Cities March 2023

The 411 on
Health Coaching
by Leah Martinson
©Fizkes
The field of health coaching has grown exponentially over the last decade. While there
is much to celebrate with increased access to this support, there are a few important
things to keep in mind when looking for a coach. Currently, there are two primary
organizations setting standards for establishing scope of practice, codes of conduct, and
regulating the ethics and practice of coaching: the National Board for Health and Wellness
Coaching (NBHWC) and the International Coaches Federation (ICF).
While these organizations provide standardization and regulation, they are limited in
their reach. Currently anyone can self-appoint themselves as a coach regardless of whether
they have completed an accredited training program and received certification or not. A
robust vetting process is vital to assess a coach’s qualifications to support a person on their individual
journey. At minimum, a qualified coach will have completed the appropriate training
and certification to qualify for and receive additional certification through NBHWC or ICF.
A strong relationship with a highly trained and experienced coach can be incredibly
powerful in supporting people in overcoming barriers and unlocking potential. The process
and support provided by a qualified and effective coach can take one’s life and wellbeing to a
whole new level. While many coaching relationships yield these benefits, it can be extremely
harmful when a coach does not have the appropriate training or skills to partner with clients
on a deep and vulnerable journey.
In addition to inquiring about training and certification, ask the coach about their experience.
A great value-add to a coaching relationship comes from significant experience and
efficacy in the area the individual is seeking to engage in the coaching journey. In these initial
conversations, listen deeply for specifics when the coach is responding to questions about
experience. If the answers are vague or surface level, they likely do not have the substantive
experience for added insight into that specific area of exploration and growth.
Be cautious if a coach is making grandiose promises about having the secret to living
a “dream life” with a significant up-front cost to you. There are some predatory models of
coaching that promise people big return on their investment and, in truth, the coach is not
actually trained or certified to lead people through the coaching process. Each person’s path
to their “dream life” and highest level of well-being looks different and comes from within.
A qualified coach will support their clients through exploring all of the twists and turns on
their unique path.
There is a lot of content out there with working definitions of coaching and it can get
a bit confusing when trying to understand what coaching is. The NBHWC definition for
Health and Wellness Coaching is:
“Health and wellness coaches work with individuals and groups in a client-centered
process to facilitate and empower the client to develop and achieve self-determined goals
related to health and wellness. Coaches support clients in mobilizing internal strengths
and external resources, and in developing self-management strategies for making sustainable,
healthy lifestyle, behavior changes.”
A compressed version of the ICF definition of coaching is:
“Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that
inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. It helps clients to define
and take action toward the realization of their visions, goals or desires.
Professional coaching uses a process of inquiry and personal discovery to build the
client’s level of awareness and responsibility and provides the client with structure, support
and feedback. The coaching process helps clients both define and achieve professional and
personal goals faster and with more ease
than would be possible otherwise.”
Common themes in both definitions
are that coaching is a client-centered, presence-based
professional relationship that
supports people in cultivating a deeper level
of self-awareness, clarity of vision, understanding
of barriers, and identifying skills
and tools for growth and achieving goals.
Certified coaches are trained in
behavior change and motivational techniques.
Rather than acting as the expert
and giving advice, the coach creates an
environment that gives the client permission
to take the lead. They hold true
to what the client wants, not what the
coach thinks they should want. The client
determines their unique goals through a
process of self-discovery and accountability,
and the coach facilitates change at a
pace set by the client.
A well-trained and certified coach will
have the skills and experience to facilitate a
process that is empowering and client-driven.
This process has the potential to support
people through transformation and stepping
into their highest-level self. It is extremely important
to go thorough vetting when selecting
an appropriate coach for one’s needs.
Leah Martinson is a
nationally board-certified
health and wellness coach
with 10 years of progressive
experience in the field. She is
passionate about partnering
with people through a process
of deep self-discovery, connecting to passion and
purpose and optimizing well-being.
She is offering a special coaching starting
package this month: three sessions/$300. For
more information, visit Visionairium.com.
See ad, page 9.
March 2023
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