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What is Health Coaching?

Health Coaching is a relationship-based practice in which the coach works together with clients in support of their health and well-being goals and dreams. As a health coach, people entrust me to assist them as they navigate a wide range of concerns: from feeling something is missing from their lives, to managing their life after a diagnosis of a serious illness. The common thread for all clients is their desire to feel better physically, mentally-emotionally, and/or spirituality.

In my Health Coaching practice you are the focus of our work. Together you and I will experiment with creative approaches, viewpoints, and exercises as we set goals, develop plans, and take steps that evolve into transformative, forward momentum. And throughout, our focus is on integrating you, the whole person—mind, body, and spirit into your vision of yourself.

If you’re interested in getting health coaching support as your undergo your own well-being transformation, contact me. I’d love to hear from you.       

What is Integrative Health Coaching?

Integrative Health Coaching is a relationship-based practice in which the coach works together with clients in support of their health and well-being goals and dreams. As a coach, people entrust me to assist them as they navigate a wide range of concerns: from feeling something is missing from their lives, to managing their life after a diagnosis of a serious illness. The common thread for all clients is their need to feel better physically, mentally-emotionally, and/or spirituality.

In my practice you are the focus of our work. Together you and I will experiment with creative approaches, viewpoints, and exercises as we set goals, develop plans, and take steps that evolve into transformative, forward momentum.  And throughout, our focus is on integrating you, the whole person—mind, body, and spirit into your vision of yourself.

If you’re interested in getting support as your undergo your own well-being transformation, contact me. I’d love to hear from you.       

My approach to health coaching

When I meet with a client, I see a whole person who possesses the inner resources necessary to shift themselves into their optimal healing state. My role as a coach is to assist and support them as they mobilize internal and external resources and take productive steps toward reaching this state. This typically involves discovering what this healing state means for the client, envisioning and exploring this healing state, and planning and taking next steps toward reaching this state.

The client role is not to take orders from me or do what I tell them. The client’s role is to actively reach into themselves and, with their coach at their side, co-create and own their unique transformation process.

We are more than just our bodies or minds

I see all people as made up of multiple layers. We are our gross body (physical manifestation—our bodies and minds) our subtle body (energetic/spiritual manifestation), and our universal body (the whole of humankind, of which we are an integral part). These bodies are of equal importance and are of equal value. I work on the premise that the consideration of all three of these bodies is necessary for healing to happen.
This means that while we know we need healthy bodies to thrive, we also need healthy energetic and spiritual lives, and healthy relationships with our fellow humans at an individual, community, and universal level in order to reach a healthy state of well-being. As Paul Wellstone said, “We all do better, when we all do better.”*

Influences

Many people and forces have influenced my evolution as a coach. These are some of the recognizable ones who come to mind now. There are many more (and this list will evolve).

More about health coaching | FAQ

A client-driven practice

In which you are the focus of the work. The client, in partnership with the coach, you set the agenda, establishes priorities, and determines the focus.

A safe and creative space

For support and guidance while pursuing your health and wellbeing goals.

A proven approach to lifestyle change

That will improve your health and well-being.

An opportunity to explore alternative approaches

To your health while also working within the conventional medical system.

How I serve clients

  • As a guide, I support clients as they develop a well-being vision, set goals, and take small steps toward meeting these goals. In this role, I encourage client action and commitment. While working with clients, I try to “walk the walk” of self-awareness thus encouraging self-awareness and self-observation in the client. An individual needs to be aware of a problem, at a deep internal level, before they can move toward fixing it.
  • As an educator, I provide information on alternative ways of being and living. Within this realm, I may offer complementary and/or alternative medical approaches to augment the choices provided by the physician. The client can then take an active part in their well-being by exploring these options and considering what might resonate with them.
  • As a partnership, the client and I negotiate the terms of our relationship up front, and as the client develops a stake in the relationship, a sense of mutual responsibility develops. This can become an effective agent for accountability and follow-up for the client and provides a mechanism for sustained behavior change.

Frequently asked questions

Why do people visit a health coach?

While some people have specific conditions for which they are seeking support, others may feel “out of sorts” or feel that something is missing from their lives. Here are some reasons for seeking health coaching support:

  • Chronic disease management: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, obesity, chronic pain, etc
  • Lifestyle changes: diet/nutrition, smoking cessation, stress reduction, sleep management, etc
  • Improved sense of well being, re ignition of creativity, a desire to feel more connected to the world, management of frustration with a toxic work environment or the state of the world in general
  • Preparation for surgery
What happens in a health coaching session?

The client, in partnership with the coach, determines the session’s agenda. What occurs in a session is never predetermined. Often there are assessments, conversations, questions, reflections, and “ah-ha” moments. Sometimes we do exercises or movement. I view a coaching session as a safe, non-judgmental place for the client to be totally themselves and to experiment with ideas for their own growth. It is my job to support the client in these approaches by listening, offering suggestions, educating, and providing ongoing accountability.

What’s the difference between health coaching and therapy/counseling?

Therapists often diagnose mental or behavioral conditions and work with clients to explore past emotional wounds. As a health coach, I do not diagnose and I keep my coaching sessions firmly anchored in the present. I focus on forward momentum. Occasionally clients are well served by working with both a therapist and a health coach.

How often do people see health coaches?

The duration of a client’s health coaching journey will vary.  I recommend a minimum of four sessions to fully experience forward momentum. But, how long you decide to work with a coach is up to you, and this can be (and often is) discussed with the coach during sessions.

The frequency with which I meet with clients depends upon the client’s needs and preferences. Often clients prefer to allow two weeks between sessions to allow time for processing the sessions and implementing ideas and plans. Sometimes the client prefers to meet every week initially and evolve to more time between sessions as they progress. Phone “check-ins” in between sessions are an option for those who want increased accountability and connection between major sessions.

Where do you meet with clients?

I offer a free, 30-minute initial consultation where you can get the experience of health coaching. It’s an opportunity for us to to meet and assess if we are a good fit. The assessment is conducted at a local “neutral” location (coffee shop, library, park building etc), or on the phone. If we decide to continue, I provide the address of my south Minneapolis location for ongoing sessions.

I also offer remote sessions via Zoom  (or other online platform if the client has a preference). Using an online platform is a good alternative clients not based in Minneapolis or St. Paul, as well as for “check-ins”. I can also conduct sessions over the phone.

What does it cost?

See the Services page for rates.

What inspired you become an Integrative Health Coach?

You can read my story in the About Mary page.

What are your coaching qualifications?

My health coaching credentials are on the About Mary page.

Research supports the use of health coaching and found it:

  • Enhanced the client’s applications of lifestyle change information and skills learned.
  • Increased accountability…encouraged the client’s continued focus on the changes needed for better self-management and improved synthesis of health care provider information.
  • Encouraged the client to move forward…helped the client to overcome barriers to progress.

Tillman, J. (2013). Health Coaching Interventions with a Heart-Healthy Lenoir Project Client

Location

Longfellow Neighborhood
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 418-2107

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