There are common misconceptions about what the term “coaching” means and if you do an Internet search on the word “coach” you will likely come up with a wide variety of definitions depending upon the context of the sites you review. So for a moment, think about what images come into your mind when you hear the word “coach” and even better perhaps, imagine if you had a coach to support you in setting and achieving your health and wellness goals – what would be in it for you?
To answer this question myself I needed to get clear on what it is that I offer as a coach based on my values, personal experiences, and on my frame of reference as both a coach and a recipient of coaching. Often when I’m looking for clarity on something, I find it easiest to start with what I don’t want so let’s get that out of the way first. Based on the integrative, client-centered, whole person model that I follow, coaching: is not directing my client or telling them what I think they should do and how to do it, is not preaching or prescribing a particular diet, regimen, or course of action, is not thinking I need to educate a client unless education is what the client is requesting to fill in knowledge gaps, is not a substitute for therapy, counseling, or medical care, and it is not driven by any agendas or goals that I the coach have for my client.
So now that I’ve clarified for you my thoughts on what coaching is not, I invite you to consider the question, “Partnering with an Integrative Health and Wellness Coach-what Could Be in it for Me?” First and foremost, I view you the client as a capable, whole person with a unique life story and a toolbox full of experiences, gifts, and skills that can be tapped into to support your success. Only you can define what optimal health and wellbeing mean to you and together we co-create a collaborative partnership that empowers you to bridge the gap between your good intentions and your behavior. Wellbeing means different things to different people and it is much more than physical health or the absence of symptoms; it is greatly influenced by your lifestyle, environment, nutrition, activity, relationships, stress, and your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Restoring balance in each of these areas restores health. All of these aspects are important in the big picture but a powerful feature of the coaching partnership is that it is up to you as a client to decide on the most meaningful starting point of your journey and what paths you take as you move toward your goals. My role as a coach is to provide you with: a trusted companion on your journey, a safe and sacred space, deep listening, powerful questions that encourage you to access your intuition and inner knowing, and a variety of practical tools that support you in setting and achieving goals that are meaningful to you.
As you reflect on what value coaching may offer you, remember that coaching: is driven by your unique goals and priorities, taps into your own inner resources to bridge the gap between intention and action, and empowers you to go beyond the limits of your thinking, rational mind to access deep levels of knowing and pursue your vision of optimal health and wellness. And that’s what’s in it for you!
If you are curious about coaching, I invite you to join me for a free, fun, no-obligation 30-minute phone Coaching & Discovery Session. Simply jump on over to my “Contact Me” page and request to schedule your session. I look forward to collaborating with you!
Partnering with an Integrative Coach-What Could Be in it for Me?
