How is Health Coaching different from Wellness Coaching and how does that compare to Functional Medicine?

Health coaching is differentiated from Wellness coaching, in that, health coaching is the use of evidence-based skillful conversation, clinical interventions and strategies to actively and safely engage client/patients in health behavior change. Health coaches are certified or credentialed to safely guide clients and patients who may have chronic conditions or those at moderate to high risk for chronic conditions.

Wellness coaching is a process that facilitates healthy, sustainable behavior change by challenging a client to develop their inner wisdom, identify their values, and transform their goals into action. Wellness coaching draws on the principles of positive psychology and appreciative inquiry, as well as the practices of motivational interviewing and goal setting.

I spend time with my clients, listening to their histories, mapping their personal timeline, and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex chronic disease, this is why our first client session is 1.5 hours. I do not interpret, order labs or diagnose, I educate and coach my clients on what has led them to where they are today, and help plan for where they would like to be in the future! This is also why my clients are asked to fill out paperwork 3 days prior to our session, so I can plan and review whatever is sent, so we have an effective and rewarding first session. My goal is simple: wildly satisfy each client!

Perhaps you have experienced being examined by your doctor, having blood tests done, x-rays or other diagnostic tests taken, only for your doctor to report back that “all your tests are normal”. Yet, both you and your doctor know that you are unwell.

Unfortunately, this experience is all too common. So, I aim to reduce this problem by applying a new model from Functional Medicine Coaching, that focuses on your body as a whole system, to identify the causes not only the symptoms, that sees the body as a whole organism, rather than simply a collection of organs dissected into individual parts. This emerging model is – called Functional Medicine better matches the need to improve the management and prevention of chronic disease. I work with client’s who suffer from complex, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. If your concern is not listed, please do still feel free to reach out, and I can refer you to a trusted colleague. There is nothing worse than thinking you have found someone who can help you, and hundreds or even thousands of dollars later, your concerns have still not been solved, I was in that same position myself with my own health situation, so I only refer to competent individuals, as my referral is also my reputation.

By changing the disease-centered focus of traditional medical practice to this client-centered approach, I am able to educate and support the healing process by viewing health and illness as part of a cycle in which all components of the human biological system interact dynamically with the environment. This process helps to seek and identify genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that may shift a person’s health from illness to well-being.

What’s the difference between Health and Wellness Coaching and working with an Allied Health Practitioner or a Therapist or a Personal Trainer or a Nutritionist or your Primary Care Physician?

The biggest difference between a Wellness Coach and other allied health practitioners is in the approach that they take towards helping you to achieve your goals.

A Wellness Coach won’t tell you what to do, but will rather ask you where you want to go with your wellness, why it matters to you and how you want to get there.

Unlike therapy, a Wellness Coach will not focus on your past, but will rather look towards your future.

Unlike a personal trainer or nutritionist, a Wellness Coach does not lead you through exercises or give you a specific diet to follow, but rather will help you establish fitness and nutrition goals and see that you accomplish them, little by little.

Unlike a primary care physician, a Wellness Coach has the time to spend with you on your health and wellness vision and objectives.

A Wellness Coach will support you and guide you to create your definition of wellbeing and what that means to you. The main focus of Wellness Coaching is to concentrate on your strengths and build on them to help you realize your goals.

Together, you and the coach will identify your motivators and obstacles as you create your wellness vision for the future.

Unlike a personal trainer or nutritionist, a Wellness Coach does not lead you through exercises or give you a specific diet to follow, but rather will help you establish fitness and nutrition goals and see that you accomplish them, little by little.

Unlike a primary care physician, a Wellness Coach has the time to spend with you on your health and wellness vision and objectives.

A Wellness Coach will support you and guide you to create your definition of wellbeing and what that means to you. The main focus of Wellness Coaching is to concentrate on your strengths and build on them to help you realize your goals.

Together, you and the coach will identify your motivators and obstacles as you create your wellness vision for the future.

What happens in a coaching session?

The process of wellness coaching progresses through several stages:

You provide background information through a well-being assessment so that you and your coach are well-informed on the key issues, including medical considerations.

During the first 60-90 minute coaching session, you identify your priorities and develop a personal wellness plan including a vision, three-month goals and the first steps.

In subsequent 30-40 minute coaching sessions, each week, month, or quarter, you and your coach review the progress toward your vision and goals, explore and resolve the most pressing issues, learn something new, and then agree on a set of goals for the following week. You will enjoy plenty of ah-ha insights along the way.

By the end of three months, you can expect to reach more than 70% of your three-month goals and feel energized and confident to embark on new areas with or without your coach.

What is Functional Medicine and why do we need it?

Credit: -Dr. Hyman

Functional medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.

Why do we need Functional Medicine?

Our society is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people who suffer from complex, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

 The system of medicine practiced by most physicians is oriented toward acute care, the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness that is of short duration and in need of urgent care, such as appendicitis or a broken leg. Physicians apply specific, prescribed treatments such as drugs or surgery that aim to treat the immediate problem or symptom.

 Unfortunately, the acute-care approach to medicine lacks the proper methodology and tools for preventing and treating complex, chronic disease. In most cases it does not take into account the unique genetic makeup of each individual or factors such as environmental exposures to toxins and the aspects of today’s lifestyle that have a direct influence on the rise in chronic disease in modern Western society.

 There’s a huge gap between research and the way doctors practice. The gap between emerging research in basic sciences and integration into medical practice is enormous—as long as 50 years—particularly in the area of complex, chronic illness.

 Most physicians are not adequately trained to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic disease and to apply strategies such as nutrition, diet, and exercise to both treat and prevent these illnesses in their patients.

How is Functional Medicine Different?

 Functional medicine involves understanding the origins, prevention, and treatment of complex, chronic disease. Hallmarks of a functional medicine approach include:

 Patient-centered care. The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centered care, promoting health as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease. By listening to the patient and learning his or her story, the practitioner brings the patient into the discovery process and tailors treatments that address the individual’s unique needs.

 An integrative, science-based healthcare approach. Functional medicine practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered, along with both internal (mind, body, and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors that affect total functioning.

 Integrating best medical practices. Functional medicine integrates traditional Western medical practices with what is sometimes considered “alternative” or “integrative” medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exercise; use of the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, or stress-management techniques.