Traditionally, in coaching we discuss the seven dimensions of wellness, which are:
- mental
- physical
- social
- financial
- spiritual
- environmental
- vocational
Webster defines wellness as the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal. I will say that wellness is that you’re thriving, not just surviving.
There are other models that you could explore that look at the intersections of health and wellness like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which is a pyramid framework where more specific needs build on larger, foundational ones. I’ve recommended to clients to create their own hierarchy using Maslow’s framework, but consider more fluidity. All areas of our lives are connected and we will go back and forth between levels – it will never be just about forward mobility.
Trauma-informed coaching helps clients who have experienced trauma by understanding how it affects them and guiding them towards positive growth. Trauma-informed coaches are trained in areas like client regulation, the mind-body connection, behavioral reactions, different types of trauma, and their causes and symptoms.
When I work with clients, I look at the intersections that impact you and the decisions you’re able (or not able) to make that help you live a healthy life, which are related to previous experiences that we may or may not have processed through.
Health coaches partner with clients to create strategic plans that break down their goals into more manageable daily and weekly goals. They do this by using motivational interviewing to assess where a client is in their mindset and journey, what their motivations are for change, what resources they have as well as what kind of support they have outside of coaching.
Coaches can add accountability, but aren’t just cheerleaders. They can be knowledgeable about a variety of health topics like nutrition, exercise, stress reduction and time management. They often have other health degrees that complement coaching and have the skills to support more than than just health goals too.
To learn about health coaching from the organizations I’m a part of visit: National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NB-HWC) as well as the American Council on Exercise (ACE). To learn about my other credentials check out Work with Cristina.