Becoming a Health Coach: A Mentor Within the Healthcare Continuum
Updated: Mar 30, 2022
From weight loss to managing diabetes, health coaches are motivationalists – professionals who assist people in adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyles as well as helping to manage chronic conditions that require significant lifestyle changes.
While health coaches may work alongside licensed healthcare providers, they do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe care. Rather, they provide emotional support, accountability, and encouragement by guiding their clients throughout their healthcare journey and empowering them to become active participants in their own care.
Regulation
As of 2021, health coaching is an unregulated profession. That means anyone can become or claim to be a health coach. However, it is recommended that aspiring health coaches seek additional education and certification to prepare them for a career in this ever-evolving, $7 billion field.
So while it remains unregulated today, organizations such as the National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) are actively working towards regulating the profession through accreditation, certification, and education.
Education
Health coaches are strongly encouraged to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree program in nutrition, biology, psychology, nursing, counseling, human physiology, or a related field.
Not only does it provide a solid theoretical and technical foundation, but it prepares coaches to assist clients more effectively within their specialization or area of expertise.
Additionally, if you plan to work for an organization or healthcare facility, you may be required to meet certain educational requirements. Remain competitive by investing in your education.
Certification
As the profession grows, more and more organizations are establishing credentials and certification programs for health coaches entering the field. Acquiring a certification is a great way to showcase your knowledge, skill, ambition, and dedication to the profession.
Here are some programs that come highly recommended by health coach professionals: