What is a wellness coach?
Because wellness coaches help their clients in so many ways, it is hard to narrow their profession down to a simple definition. An outgrowth of the life coaching field, in many ways, wellness coaching can be viewed as 'holistic life coaching'.
Just as an athletic coach helps an athlete achieve their maximum potential, the life coach strives to help an individual reach their potential and achieve their goals in life. The wellness coach takes this one step further and helps clients improve not only their personal and professional lives, but their physical 'wellness' or health as well. In the same way that a swimming or football coaches have some skills in common and others specific to the sport they are coaching, wellness coaches, too, differ. Some of the areas different wellness coaches may focus on include:
- Weight loss/diet.
- Achieving a balance between work and recreation.
- Overcoming obstacles to success.
- Achieving a positive attitude.
- Self development.
- Stress management.
- Disease and/or pain management.
If a wellness coach has expertise in a particular natural therapy, that may form the basis of their practice, but an added dimension that most wellness coaches share in common is the emphasis on self empowerment. Instead of just telling clients what to do, they help empower them to take control of the areas of their lives they may be in least control of. This is why it can be said that a wellness coach is a 'holistic life coach': their goal is to empower others to improve every aspect of their lives.
How to Become a Wellness Coach
In order to ensure a consistently high level of professional expertise and integrity, most wellness coaching schools require classroom (or teleconference) studies, peer coaching practice and supervised coaching sessions. At the conclusion of studies, both a written examination and at least one coaching session assessment determines a student's readiness to receive a certificate. A variety of wellness coach certificates are available. At some schools, students with diplomas or degrees in related fields such as counselling or natural therapies can enroll in Master Wellness Coach certificate programs without having to take the entry level course first.
Who Can Become a Wellness Coach?
If you want to help others help themselves, you are probably an ideal candidate for a career as a wellness coach. If you are already a natural therapy practitioner, becoming a wellness coach can be an ideal adjunct to your existing profession.
In our increasingly stressful society, wellness coaches are always in demand. The greater the level of service you are able to provide, the more successful your career can be. Both professional wellness coaches and their clients can find their lives enriched from the experience, making it potentially an ideal "win-win" career choice.
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