A health coach is often employed by a person who has some type of chronic illness. This isn’t always the case though, sometimes people need a coach to guide them through making healthy changes on their own. These coaches become models in the area of self awareness and are able to engage in a caring relationship with the person being coached. People who enjoy this type of work have to complete one of the many health coaching certification programs offered, either online or in a traditional classroom.
People who are already licensed health care providers can train to be health coaches, but this isn’t a certification in health coaching. The types of professionals who seek our training include; physicians, nurses, health care administrators, physical therapists, massage therapists, pastoral care associates, psychotherapists, and social workers. This training can take anywhere from several weeks to a more comprehensive 12 month program and it also includes many classes that are necessary for certification.
The certification program may include specific training modules that must be completed, in order to gain certification for health coaching. After taking all the required courses, there is an application for a certificate that must be submitted within the following year’s time. Besides turning in proof of course completion and the application, there are a few other steps that need to be taken before certification can be achieved.
One online program requires that a person seeking certification must show proof that he/she has been employed as a health coach for 6 months or been paid for at least 60 hours of health coaching. An application fee of 250 dollars needs to be submitted, as well as the following; current resume, 3 references from professionals, sample contract for a client, written description of some sort of scope of professional service, and promotional materials.
Once all the proper documentation has been gathered and is ready for submittal, there is an evaluation of skill that needs to take place. The person applying for certification will need to demonstrate the following:
- Understanding of how to practice emotional wellness
- Ability to avoid prescriptions and medical diagnosis
- A vision for what their practice will be
- Ability to be non-judgmental and work with this type of attitude
- Ability to perform a Health Assessment
- Understanding of several health strategies
- Ability to listen in both a somatic and verbal manner
The seven classes necessary for health coaching certification include a course on the basic fundamentals, skills needed, personal mastery, personal mastery partnership in coaching, the business of coaching, how to coach from an integrative health perspective, and the seven steps of change.
At least 80 percent of these classes need to be attended in order to gain certification. If any classes are missed, the person enrolled in the course must listen to the tapes of the missed class.
There is a lot involved in attending these programs; above is an example of just one, but the benefits are fantastic. Being able to help others through their feelings of powerlessness against the physical and emotional issues they may be going through is a great feeling. wellness coach