What is a wellness coach? How do you differ from a life coach? Therapist?
In my world, a wellness coach encompasses both health coaching and life coaching. So in order to answer this not-easy-to-answer-succinctly question, let’s start at the very beginning... (a very good place to start)
I am a certified health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, the largest nutrition school in the world. (Side bar: This is slightly misleading as we don’t just learn about nutrition, we learn about about several lifestyle aspects that can affect one’s health: diet, exercise, hormonal health, finances, career, relationships, family, etc.)
Health Coach vs. Life Coach
There are a variety of descriptions for life coaches (just google it!). But as someone who’s worked with a few, what I consider to be an important differentiating factor between a health coach and a life coach is this: I’ve had the education, training and resources on (nearly) all aspects of nutrition and physical health in addition to the other aspects of “life” that affect your well-being (career, finances, self-worth, etc.).
The other difference is this: life coaches tend to focus on goals, achievable steps to reach said goal, etc. As a wellness coach, I too do this. But as I’ve stated before, I believe that feeling good is an important and non-negotiable prerequisite to successfully and SUSTAINABLY achieving said goal (e.g. losing weight vs. keeping the weight off without perpetually being on a restrictive diet and working out 7 days/week by examining nearly every other aspect of your life that you don’t realize contributes to your weight).
Coaches v. Therapists
I like Tony Robbins’ answer to this question. A wellness coach is not a substitute for a therapist, but is often a great complement to one. A wellness coach can also help you determine whether therapy is a good option for you.
Bottom Line
I help women feel better. Period. And I’ve unknowingly done this pretty much my entire adult life. Now I just have the resources, tools, education, curriculum AND life experience to do so even better.
Will wellness coaching...
Help me find a way to pivot out of my soul-crushing job?!
YES. In fact, this is a specialty of mine as I spent 10+ years in a soul-crushing job.
Help with anxiety?
YES - whether you struggle with an anxiety disorder, chronic anxiety, or situational anxiety.
Teach me how to stay motivated when eating unhealthy food is your way to release stress?
Yes and No. YES - I can help you work on emotional eating. NO - motivation is not the secret sauce to success. I can work with you to help you determine what is and how to use it successfully.
Will you only offer to domestic US clients? And what is the frequency/timeframe?
No! This offer will be open to EVERYONE (ah the beauty of the internet). Sessions will be virtual (unless you’re local in which case in-person coaching may be available). As stated above, the initial coaching package will be a six-week program, which includes 6 sessions (ideally one per week). That being said, I am flexible and will work with you to determine the best days/times/etc.