Health coaching, is a professional relationship that combines the sciences of positive psychology, behaviour change, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle medicine with the art of relationships, teamwork, and community engagement. Health coaches work with clients to help them develop resilience and achieve long-term behaviour changes that improve their health and wellness.
Health coaches guide clients through a process of self-discovery, helping them clarify their values, understand their lifestyle practices, and explore pathways to overcome their challenges. This approach is client-centred, focusing on eliciting the client's goals, motivations, and strengths, and supporting them to take actionable steps towards their health goals.
A key aspect of health coaching is the emphasis on self-responsibility and positive self-determination, enabling clients to bridge the gap between their intentions and actions. Health coaches listen and empathise, honour the client's autonomy, affirm their strengths, and facilitate conversations that lead to lifestyle changes.