Top 8 Reasons Doctors Would Advise You To Invest In A Wellness Coach

What is Wellness Coaching?

Wellness coaching is traditionally defined as a collaborative, client-centered approach aimed at guiding individuals toward achieving their health and wellness goals. It involves the use of evidence-based strategies to support clients in making sustainable lifestyle changes.

As a physician here are the 8 reasons I recommend wellness coaching:

You Are Ready To Benefit From Personalized Wellness Guidance

Wellness coaches conduct thorough assessments of their client’s current health status, lifestyle habits, and wellness goals.  Customized wellness plans that align with the client’s specific needs, preferences, and objectives can be developed after thorough assessments are completed.

As a physician who started to feel burnout with the traditional healthcare system and pathways by which care is being delivered, I can easily say that understanding and recommending personalized wellness coaching has improved the care that I provide to my patients. This transition in my practice style has been akin to recommending mostly fast processed meals to advising in the investment of a quality meal delivery service that has personalized menu options to fit your needs. 

You Have Struggled W/ Goal Setting

This is more common than you may think, but it does not have to limit your optimal wellness potential.  While working with a wellness coach you may use the SMART goals model. This model allows wellness coaches to help clients set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals to ensure clarity and focus.  Action plans can be individually outlined to achieve the above goals.

Consider how this model may improve your goal setting, alignment with optimal wellness, the journey down this pathway, and commitment to health practices that serve YOU.

You Thrive Off Support and Accountability

Oftentimes seeing a clinician for medication, diagnostic work-ups, or routine screening is not enough when considering a whole health plan.

Regular check-ins with a coach provide consistent support whether in person, via phone, or online.  Various forms of progress tracking can assist you with monitoring achievements that matter to you and leave room to adjust the plan as needed to ensure continued improvement and success.

You Seek Motivation and Encouragement From Your Wellness Team:

Admittedly, I have been on the other side of motivational conversations and being hyper-focused on telling my patients what they were not doing right, had yet to achieve, and could consider doing more of. Time and time again these conversations started not to feel good AT ALL.

If I was feeling this way as the clinician, how were my patients feeling with this approach?  When I pivoted my practice style, I made it a priority to engage in motivational conversations that encouraged my patients to be present, celebrate current wins, or do more constructively when appropriate.

Coaching can offer positive reinforcement that offers encouragement and motivational strategies to keep clients engaged and inspired.  A thorough wellness coach assists clients in identifying and overcoming barriers that may hinder their progress.  This balanced approach is necessary to live from a mindset and take action from a place of whole wellness.

You Appreciate Reliable Education and Resource Guidance

If you are an individual who enjoys being a part of your wellness decision-making, having guidance and access to reliable wellness education is an important part of your journey.

A comprehensive wellness program should involve information sharing on various aspects of wellness via approachable levels of understanding. A knowledgeable wellness coach provides access to resources, tools, and information to clients while helping them make informed decisions about their health.

You Are Ready To Invest In Behavior Change Facilitation:

Techniques to create behavior change such as motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and habit formation principles are vital for quality wellness coaching. Wellness coaches often aim to facilitate sustainable changes to assist clients develop and maintain healthy habits that lead to long-term wellness.

You Think You Can Benefit From Wellness Coaching

Having a mindset shift and being receptive to attaining different health results by implementing different methods will almost certainly position you to achieve success in wellness.

Of course, anyone may benefit from wellness coaching, but worth considering if you are one of the following:

• An Individual Seeking Lifestyle Changes: Those looking to improve their overall well-being.

• A Person with Specific Health Goals: Individuals aiming for weight loss, stress reduction, improved fitness, etc.

• A Part of a Corporate Employee Program: Professionals whose company offers incentives for wellness program participation at reduced or no out-of-pocket costs.

• An Individual with Unique Learning and Applications Needs: In this scenario having a personalized action plan and individualized accountability may close the gap to unique learning styles and barriers while curating a path that can be successfully achieved.

• Chronic Illness Patient: Those managing long-term health conditions who need ongoing support.

You See Your Wellness As An Investment

Recognizing your health as a necessary investment is a mindset shift that sets you up for success in prioritizing the associated costs.

In addition to a mindset shift of how you financially invest in your wellness, do not be afraid to ask for the details of the program and make an informed decision based on the specifics of the offer. Cost considerations are valid and it is very reasonable to ask: what is an investment like this is going to cost?

It is also very reasonable to consider the cost of not investing in yourself and your health goals. Considering wellness coaching as an investment into your greatest asset, your health, is the first step.

If wellness coaching is not covered by insurance, initial out-of-pocket costs can have long-term benefits and potential cost savings from improved health and productivity.

Inquire about payment plans or even group coaching options if modifications in pricing can be offered in those ways.

Are You Ready To Choose The Wellness Coach Right For You?

If this article has made you think about approaching your health in a variety of ways, I hope you take the time to consider who should be a part of your wellness team.

If ready to hire a wellness coach, please consider credentials and experience when reviewing program options.  Compatibility with their treatment approach and personality should align with your needs as a client. If looking for a particular specialty, i.e. functional medicine, midlife transition, gender-specific concerns, etc, be sure that the specialty experience is highlighted in their program offerings.

Also, consider asking for testimonials and reviews from past clients before committing to a coaching program.  An initial consultation may be offered in a way to allow potential clients to assess fit and approach.  If not advertised as an option, please ask about a free consultation or discovery call directly. 

More than anything, be comfortable with your decision to design your wellness plan as you see fit.