Holistic Health Coach: A Guide

by Jerald Dyson
holistic health coach

Holistic Health Coach: Taking a holistic approach to health and healthcare involves considering how all areas of a person’s life influence their wellbeing, including their diet, fitness regime, friendships and relationships, career and life balance, and so on.

Health Coaching is becoming an increasingly quick-growing profession. 

What Is A Holistic Health Coach?

A Holistic Health Coach is a certified practitioner who helps customers improve their health by using an integrative approach to nutrition and lifestyle modifications. They will examine their customers’ eating habits, relationships, physical activity, spirituality, and other factors in order to help them live healthy lives.

What Exactly Does A Holistic Health Coach Do?

holistic health coach

Holistic Health Coaches are mentors and wellness professionals that help people feel their greatest by implementing tailored lifestyle adjustments that address their specific diet, emotional and physical requirements. Clients work with these coaches to figure out how to nourish their bodies, live a healthy life, and establish the ideal wellness and health routines for them.

Health coaches promote overall health. The concept is that your relationships, job, spirituality, physical exercise, and surroundings all have an impact on your short- and long-term health just as much as the food you eat.

Holistic Health Coaches assist in enhancing health outcomes and extending the ripple effect of happiness and health by advising clients individually or in groups in their own coaching business, working with a physician, or beginning on an entirely other wellness paths.

Clients will often meet with holistic health coaches for an initial interview, which will include an assessment of their current health as well as observation of any illnesses that may be present. A Holistic Health Coach will do the following within a client-coaching relationship:

  • Educate

Clients are coached and educated on how to achieve and maintain excellent health through a daily regimen that includes whole, nutritious foods, exercise, stress management, and appropriate sleep.

  • Empower

Empower clients to attain optimal health now and in the future by correcting any imbalances brought on by inadequate nutrition, lifestyle stresses, low quality sleep, inadequate water, lack of physical activity, and comfort.

  • Creating Healthy Environments

Create healthy surroundings, engage in instructional events and demonstrations, and assist customers in achieving their individual wellness goals.

  • Identify

Identify when a client’s primary care physician should be consulted for treatment and diagnosis.

Why Become A Holistic Health Coach?

While dietitians and nutritionists can advise clients on specific food programs and medications, holistic Health Coaches help clients incorporate changes into their lives in the most effective way possible, including how to implement advice from these health experts. There are numerous advantages to becoming a Holistic Health Coach, including:

holistic health coach
  • Getting the knowledge and learning about the various components of health and wellbeing, as well as how to coach customers to achieve this knowledge
  • Creating a career that allows you to work when and when you want
  • Providing support to the greater healthcare system and bridging gaps in traditional healthcare
  • Learning how to provide all of the tools necessary for your clients (and yourself!) to maintain long-term lifestyle adjustments

From 2018 to 2020, the health and wellness market is expected to increase at least 6%, according to research firm Technavio. In a recent analysis, Nielsen points out that “most consumers are more interested in keeping out of the doctor’s office than they are in scheduling their next physical appointment.”

For individuals that specialize in health and wellbeing, this opens up a world of possibilities. Professionals in the health area, from personal trainers to nutritionists, may expect sustained client growth, especially if they continue to expand their offerings. It’s now or never to take advantage of the economic boom.

Career Possibilities As A Holistic Health Coach

Colleges And Universities: 

While college-level sports teams can benefit from Holistic Health Coaches, your knowledge can benefit more than just the athletes. Many schools and universities employ health professionals to help students, teachers, and staff cope with stress and improve general wellness.

Spas, Gyms, And Wellness Centers: 

The number of centers specialized in wellness, and healthy lifestyle changes are expanding, notably at resorts and retreat groups, as interest in wellness and healthy lifestyle changes grows. In order to differentiate themselves from the competition, gyms are increasing their services, and many now provide more than simply personal training.

Corporations:

 Businesses of all sizes are adopting employee wellness programs and providing incentives for healthy lifestyle choices, including quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and getting health tests.

Weight-Loss Programs: 

Even long-standing diet programs have seen significant modifications in recent years, shifting away from restrictive diets and focusing on good eating habits. Many experts agree that deprivation and extremely strict diet plans can lead to yo-yo weight gain, which is hazardous for customers. Holistic Health Coaches are a perfect fit for these programs as they evolve toward a better model.

Training Centers

Sports-specific training centers that cater to professional and amateur athletes can benefit from the addition of holistic health coaches. Those who are training frequently require a variety of measures, including not only diet for optimal performance but also stress management and recovery techniques.

Own A business: 

Some Holistic Health Coaches opt to run their own businesses and consult with a variety of organizations on a regular basis. Some current practices are eager to collaborate with holistic health coaches in order to expand their network and provide more services to their clients. With so many alternatives for where you can work as a Holistic Health Coach, you can continue to grow your business and diversify your revenue streams while also assisting clients in living their best lives.

holistic health coach

How To Become A Certified Holistic Health Coach?

To become a certified holistic coach, you must have holistic coach certification, and In order to acquire certification, you would have to be enrolled in a health coaching program, and you must have one of the following qualifications to enroll in the health coaching program:

  • Current NCCA-accredited certification in fitness, diet, medical services, wellbeing, human resources, or a similar field.
  • An associate degree or greater in fitness, exercise science, nutrition, medical services, wellbeing, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
  • A completed health coach training and education program approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC). 
  • A minimal amount of two years of documented work experience in coaching, lead, or management in the fitness, nutrition, healthcare, wellness, or human.

Difference between Wellness Health Coach and Holistic Health coach Programs

The Health & Wellness Coach (HWC) certification program focuses on coaching methods, how to be a good coach, and how to get your clients to modify their behavior. Holistic Health Coach Certification program emphasizes how health is influenced by a variety of factors, including supportive relationships, a meaningful job, work/life balance, spirituality, and more. Instead of focusing solely on nutrition and exercise, HWC examines various aspects of a client’s life that may be contributing to stress and bad health.

Holistic Nutrition (HN) is a certification program that focuses on meal planning and dietary guidance for illness prevention and optimal health through whole foods nutrition—not necessarily a vegetarian or vegan diet. When you create a 90 percent or more plant-based whole foods diet, you limit animal products—meat, eggs, dairy, and fish—to no more than 10% of your total daily caloric intake. Various other holistic dietary approaches are also covered, keeping in mind that one diet plan does not fit all.

The Health and Wellness Coach and the Holistic Nutritionist certification programs are included in the Holistic Health Coach Program. AFPA graduates can become certified Holistic Health coaches with the help of the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board once they have achieved HHC certification.

Can You Get Holistic Health Coach Certification Online?

The AFPA Holistic Health Coach Certification is an online program that provides thorough training in both health coaching and holistic nutrition. The demand for health and wellness is larger than it has ever been, and it is rapidly increasing. Not only the AFPA but there are a lot more health coach certification programs where you can get enrolled to become a certified holistic health coach.

Steps To Becoming A Holistic Health Coach 

Step 1

Do your homework. Step one in becoming a holistic health coach, like practically everything else, begins with a little Googling. There is no single organization that enforces precise course requirements or training hours, and there is no requirement for a license to practice. As a result, it’s critical to research programs to guarantee they need rigorous coursework and training in order to ensure you’re acquiring accurate information and skills.

Step 2

Speak with those who have already done it. Because you’re about to spend a few thousand dollars on health coaching school, it’s critical not to base your decision solely on the program websites. 

Consider the following questions when asking people about becoming a holistic health coach: 

  • How much time did you spend on the course per week? 
  • Do you have the opportunity to practice client sessions with other students so that when you graduate, you’ll be ready to work with paying clients? 
  • Is it enjoyable? Has it helped you advance in your career?

Step 3

Put in the effort. After you’ve made your option, the next step is to enroll and, well, finish your course requirements.

holistic health coach

Step 4

Make time for practice sessions. While enrolled in a certified holistic health coaching program, students must complete practice coaching sessions. You have the option of choosing friends, but others may choose family members or even other program students. This is a safer, less stressful atmosphere in which to improve your abilities working with clients, so you’ll feel more confident doing it on your own once you’ve graduated.

Step 5

Create a business plan. Start putting together your business strategy even before you finish your degree. Who do you want to be your clients? Are they busy moms who want to lose weight? Perhaps you’d like to specialize in something, such as vegan catering or executives in high-stress positions. Once you’ve identified your specialization, establish a strategy for attracting clients. Are you planning to establish a website and fliers? Are you going to approach medical professionals and propose a collaboration? Consider all these possibilities.

Many health coaching programs, like IIN’s, contain instructions on how to do just that. Some will even provide complimentary business cards or blueprints for fliers to their students. Most also include form templates that holistic health coaches can hand out to clients when they’re ready to fill out. But it’s entirely up to you to make connections in your community, such as locating other health experts with whom to collaborate. It’s up to you to contact out and request a meeting with doctors, nutritionists, or other specialists with whom you’d like to collaborate and see if they’re interested in hearing how you can improve their services.

Step 6

Make a profit. What kind of salary can you expect as a holistic health coach? Because you’ll be starting your own business in many circumstances, the amount you charge is entirely up to you. Some holistic health coaches may choose to keep their session fees cheap in order to reach out to those who might not otherwise be able to afford a holistic health coach, such as college students or people living in low-income areas. Others may charge $150 per hour to appeal to a different clientele. You must choose what you believe your services are worth (and what makes sense to support your business plan). According to Glassdoor, the average income for a hospital or clinic employee is $48,239 per year.

Conclusion

Being a holistic health coach gives you the opportunity to change someone’s life. You know how daunting it may be if you’ve ever dealt with stomach troubles, anxiety, weight gain, or any health concern. Consider assisting someone with it. What could be more beneficial than assisting someone in regaining control of their health? We hope this guide helped whether if you ever wanted to become a certified holistic health coach or seek knowledge before going to a holistic health coach. 

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