Hi It's your Health Care Advocate Michelle Smith here, With the launch of my Health Care Shield Membership, I just wanted to make sure that you understand the journey that you will be embarking on. I will explore what most health-care providers and fitness coaches will overlook (like self-love, environmental influences, social determinants, and medical factual knowledge.
It's up to you to decide if you're comfortable with the level of training and experience of the coach you intend to hire.
This is guide is for you. As your Advocate my Goal is to make sure that you are knowledgeable regarding making all the right choices. Add theses 5 questions to your list and you'll get the best!
If you have a specific illness or medical concern, ask their experience
working with individuals like you. Are they licensed to treat people
with medical issues? Are they aware of specific needs you may have or
certain limitations? In some cases, it may be important to find someone who is both a licensed health care provider and a holistic health coach (there are a few of us out there!). We're trained to handle any medical issues that may come up and facilitate healthy changes in the safest and most effective way.
2. How do you work with people holistically?
As complex human beings, our health is a combination of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. When striving to make health changes it's important to be mindful of all areas of our well-being.
Many coaches are trained in one thing: nutrition, personal training, spiritual guidance, behavior change or weight loss.
Not all coaches or health care providers are equipped to handle all aspects of your health and that's OK! It's rare to find someone who is well trained in all these areas (and I would be leery of anyone who claims to have mastered all of them).
A coach should be aware of the importance of treating people holistically and have the tools — or a good referral network — to help you in key areas during your quest for better health.
3. What are your tools for helping me get unstuck?
Most people seek the help of a health coach when they're stuck. They've tried to make changes but have found blocks, resistance and challenges.
Usually clients come to me "stuck," it's because they haven't explored the mental, emotional or spiritual factors that affect their health. It's often here where fears, resistance, self-sabotaging behaviors and self-deprecating thoughts must be healed.
Exploring these areas can be intimidating and scary. A coach should be able to sit in this space with you and feel comfortable with the uncomfortable stuff that comes up. They also have the tools and training to do this with you in a safe, healing environment.
4. When would you refer me to a licensed health care provider?
It's very important to be clear with your coach what their scope of practice is. Many coaches are not medically trained and are not licensed to diagnose, treat or knowledgeable to support medical illness.
Just because a coach has worked with people with a certain disease doesn't mean they're certified or qualified to treat you medically.
A good (and confident) coach will know their limitations and be willing to discuss them with you. They should be comfortable admitting, "I don't know how to help you with this" or saying, "I think a more thorough work-up by a health care provider is needed."
5. Would I still be in control of my health?
If Your Answer is Yes Keep Reading
Lasting health changes only occur when a client takes ownership of her own healing. We're unique, intricate beings with different personalities, motivations and challenges.
It takes time for me to intimately understand my clients and guide them toward the best methods and approaches for them. One size does not fit all!
I love when people say to me, "that won't work for me" because we get to come up with lots of ideas on how to make health work better for them. In fact, when something doesn't work it usually helps us more specifically find what does ... and this is how we create success in our health!
Hiring a health coach can be a great addition to your health care team. Asking the right questions will help guide you in finding the best fit for your needs.
It's Time to be in charge of your health lets connect Do you want a more proactive approach to staying healthy?
If You answered yes then Keep reading http://ow.ly/W4zpQ
GET YOUR HEALTH AUDIT TODAY
Don't forget to check out my health tips in the Health and wellness section of Toronto's #1 Caribbean Newspaper The Toronto Caribbean http://torontocaribbean.com/beating-the-holiday-blues-a-guide-for-all/http://torontocaribbean.com/beating-the-holiday-blues-a-guide-for-all/
You can also send questions and comments to michelle@carib101.com
