The philosophy of both education and professional health coaching practice is one of holism. Health coaches help people connect their life’s experience to the well-being of their mind, body and spirit. Health coaches meet people wherever they are currently, and serve intuitively as a guide and a facilitator in their process of healing and growth. In health coaching, health is defined in the broadest sense of the word, as it involves a person’s whole life, including physical, intellectual, emotional, energetic, and spiritual aspects. Degrees of change and transformation require a certain level of support and containment. While some things can be done alone by an individual, most things require the structure and support of a partnership, which can be uniquely provided by a health coach. Deepest levels of healing and transformation may require yet a larger container--a community--the construction of which may be facilitated by the health coach, who is able to assemble necessary resources.
Although health coaches do not diagnose or treat illness, they can assist those with pathological conditions to enhance their health and change their lifestyle patterns. This assistance includes necessary referrals and the assembly of an optimal, interdisciplinary healthcare team. The ability to perform this function requires that a health coach have a comfortable working knowledge of and vocabulary in both conventional and complementary health care. Ideally, they can work preventatively with individuals to address optimal life choices and paths prior to the occurrence of any physical or mental pathology.
Health coaches are trained to work in a multitude of practice settings and delivery models, including hospitals, clinics, health educational facilities, private practice (via both phone and in person sessions), corporations, and schools. While they work in collaboration with practitioners in all disciplines, they do not duplicate the work of psychotherapists, counselors, social workers, case managers, or spiritual directors. Other types of coaches—like life coaches, executive coaches or personal trainers—have some areas which may overlap in skills, but do not have the full range of training and capabilities of health coaches, nor do they focus specifically on health and holism. Through the empowerment, support and education of the clients, health coaches will facilitate the evolution of the health care system.