help with many things in order to make the changes,” recalls Cutbill, which is why she turned to a health coach at Duke Integrative Medicine. Margaret Moore, founder and CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation and co-director of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, in Belmont, Massachusetts, identifies two primary forces that enable behavioral change: autonomous motivation (people want to do something for their own reasons, not because someone tells them to) and confidence (they believe they can do it). “The most powerful motivating forces of all are what you treasure most in life, your life purpose and contri- bution,” she remarks. Both Smith and Moore emphasize that the priorities in any health coaching relationship are client driven, based on the client’s chosen goals and personal intrinsic motivators.


Confidence in attaining ultimate success is built through positively framed experiments and experiences. “A health coach is trained to help clients break up their goals into manageable steps, focus on strengths, track progress and identify and overcome personal roadblocks,” explains Dr. Karen Lawson, an integrative physician and director of integrative health coaching at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing, in Minneapolis. A help- ful approach sets goals that can be met and exceeded, not insurmountable ones.


“The key is always keeping a positive lens, helping clients see the progress they achieve,” continues Lawson. This involves speaking in terms of growth through trial and error, in which outcomes are explored without judgment and clients feel empowered to modify.


This is vital, explains Moore, because experiencing at least a three-to-one ratio of positive to negative emotions creates the conditions for the brain to learn, change and thrive, making people feel more capable of taking care of their health.


Mindful awareness is another essential tool; being self-aware and reflecting on what we are doing while it is happening. Unlike thinking, analyzing and planning, mindfulness involves observing while experiencing. Dur- ing sessions, coaches use it to give their full attention in a non-judgmental way, modeling how clients can bring such compassion to themselves. A mindful state calms mental noise and puts reflective distance between individuals and their beliefs, emotions and behaviors. It improves their ability to handle negative emotions and to make a conscious choice to respond with a different attitude or new behavior, according to Moore. For Cutbill, maintaining a personal relationship with her coach over time has been the most significant factor in the improvement of her health. “The relationship was healing, because my coach regularly pointed out my progress with profound encouragement and validation. I wish all primary care doctors had health coaches on staff to help them and their patients attain the success they both are aiming for.”


Lauressa Nelson is an editor and contributing writer for Natu- ral Awakenings. Connect at LauressaNelson@gmail.com.


natural awakenings January 2014 23


Hallmarks of a Good Health Coach


by Margaret Moore


In the past 10 years, approximately 10,000 health profes- sionals have become coaches through dedicated training schools and university programs focused on life, corporate or health and wellness coaching. The selection of the right partner to help in the quest for lifelong wellness entails assessing the following qualifications. Credentials and training: A reputable health and well- ness coach training program typically requires six months to two years of education, skills training and practice with clients, followed by a certification process that tests for knowledge and core competencies. Employment background: Additional desirable cre- dentials in the medical, physical or mental health fields will likely include exercise physiology, physical therapy, psychotherapy, nutrition counseling, nursing or medicine. Structured relationship: A coach should be able to ex- plain how coaching works and why successful results are more likely with a coach. Coaching sessions are typically conducted by phone and last between 30 and 60 minutes. Coaching services are generally not covered by insurance. Personal character: Effective health coaches are good listeners, interested in clients’ unique stories. They foster self-acceptance and self-respect, pointing out personal strengths, values and desires. Coaches engage, energize and challenge clients through a positive, non-judgmental focus, while at the same time asking courageous questions. As skilled partners, they help clients become clear about personal motivations and an overall vision for life, so that they can help design a detailed, attainable plan that suc- cessfully moves them toward fulfilling their goals.


Margaret Moore is CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation and holds a master’s degree in business administration. Email her at Margaret@Wellcoaches.com or visit CoachMeg.com or Wellcoaches.com.


We Wish Everyone A


Joyful and Healthy New Year!


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