What is Health Coaching?

Health coaching is a collaborative, client-centred approach that helps people set and achieve sustainable health goals (physical activity, nutrition, sleep, chronic disease self-management). Coaches use behaviour-change techniques, motivational interviewing, goal-setting and accountability to support lasting change.

Core Principles

• Client-led: the client’s goals and values guide the plan.
• Evidence-informed: integrate best-practice health advice with behaviour science.
• Collaborative: coach and client co-create steps and measures.
• Incremental: focus on small wins and habit formation.
• Non-judgmental: strength-based language and empathy.

Step-by-step Coaching Process

1. Engagement & Rapport: build trust, explain coaching role and confidentiality.
2. Assessment: baseline measures (weight, BP, activity), readiness ruler, barriers & supports, medical clearance if needed.
3. Clarify Values & Goals: use SMART or WOOP frameworks to shape motivating, specific goals.
4. Co-create Action Plan: small, measurable steps with timelines, context and accountability.
5. Skill Building: teach self-monitoring, planning, problem-solving, relapse prevention skills.
6. Motivational Interviewing: explore ambivalence, elicit change talk, roll with resistance.
7. Follow-up & Accountability: scheduled check-ins, review progress, adapt plan.
8. Evaluate & Close: measure outcomes, celebrate gains, plan maintenance and relapse strategies.

Common Coaching Techniques

Measuring Success — Outcomes & Metrics

• Behavioural metrics: minutes of activity/week, servings of vegetables/day, sleep hours.
• Clinical metrics: weight, blood pressure, HbA1c (for diabetes), lipid profile.
• Psychosocial metrics: self-efficacy scales, quality of life, mood questionnaires.
• Engagement metrics: session attendance, completion of agreed actions, app logins.

Case Studies (Short & Practical)

Case 1 — Weight Management (12-week program)

Client: 42-year-old female, BMI 29, sedentary job, low energy.

Approach: Baseline measures, explored values (want to play with children without breathlessness). Set SMART goal: walk 15 mins/day for first week, increase by 5 mins each week. Used activity tracker, weekly 20-min coaching check-ins, nutrition ref to simple portion changes.

Outcome: After 12 weeks: +80% adherence to walking plan, -3.5 kg, improved sleep, higher self-efficacy. Maintenance plan created.

Case 2 — Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management

Client: 55-year-old male, newly diagnosed T2DM, anxious about medications.

Approach: Collaborative education with clinician, set goal to reduce refined carbs at two meals/week and check fasting glucose daily for first fortnight. Used MI to address ambivalence about lifestyle changes. Coach liaised with dietitian and primary care physician.

Outcome: Better glycaemic awareness, reduced fasting glucose variability, engaged in group education. Coach helped create a medication reminder system.

Case 3 — Stress & Sleep Improvement

Client: 30-year-old professional reporting insomnia and work stress.

Approach: Sleep hygiene plan, 10-minute pre-sleep relaxation routine, cognitive restructuring for bedtime worries, and daily wind-down cue. Short-term goal: consistent bedtime within a 30-minute window for 2 weeks.

Outcome: Improved sleep onset latency, reduced daytime fatigue, client continued relaxation practice and scheduled monthly check-ins.

Sample Session Flow (30 minutes)

Ethics, Scope & When to Refer

• Coaches are not therapists—refer for mental health treatment if clinical depression, suicidality, or severe psychiatric symptoms are present.
• Obtain medical clearance for clients with unstable cardiac, severe chronic conditions, or when exercise prescription is planned.
• Maintain confidentiality, record-keeping and clear boundaries about role and fees.

FAQs