What is a Health Coach and What Do They Do?
Have you ever wondered what health coaching is all about?
At Kiasma, we believe it's the secret sauce to achieving your mental and physical wellbeing goals. Our platform offers a unique advantage – the opportunity to collaborate directly with accredited Physical or Mental Health Coaches in-app while also being supported by our resources and support tools. But what exactly is a health coach?
Certified health coaches receive training in various behaviour change techniques, enabling those they work alongside to adjust lifestyle factors to their mental and physical wellbeing goals. With their coach, people can navigate complex feelings and behaviours that may be holding them back from reaching their goals. You can talk to a Health Coach about anything on your mind and they will guide you through what they can help you with, or suggest someone else who may be of better help.
While health coaching is, at its core, about compassion and empathy, coaching itself is grounded in science and evidence-based interventions. Without crossing the line into counselling this includes, but is not limited to motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy and some aspects of cognitive behaviour therapy.
Behaviour change coaching entails building solid relationships through open and non-judgmental communication, strengthening patients' confidence in themselves, and providing reinforcement and a sense of partnership.
Health Coaching through Kiasma
All of the coaching in Kiasma happens within the app through direct messaging or if preferred, an initial voice call is also offered. Our Health Coaches have been trained in digital coaching to optimise the coaching experience for you. It’s like having a Health Coach at your fingertips!
Our coaches are real people, based here in New Zealand who have extensive training in Health Coaching through The Holistic Performance Institute and are board-registered through Health Coaching Australia New Zealand (HCANZA).
When you first sign into Kiasma you are given the option to work with a Health Coach (and we recommend you do). Your coach will then reach out to you through direct messages within the app and work alongside you as you navigate your goals and any challenges you encounter.
Key Components of Health Coaching at Kiasma:
a. Goal setting: Health coaches work with participants to establish realistic and achievable value-based health goals. These are tailored to the individual's specific needs and circumstances.
b. Motivational interviewing: Coaches use motivational interviewing techniques to help participants explore their intrinsic motivations for change and overcome ambivalence (being on the fence about change).
c. Education and support: Coaches offer credible information and resources to support behaviour change efforts, empowering individuals to make informed decisions based on the latest evidence.
d. Accountability: Regular in-app check-ins with a health coach help participants stay accountable for their progress and provide ongoing encouragement and feedback rooted in their intrinsic motivations.
“… people have innate wisdom, strength and creativity that, when skilfully recruited, will guide them to health more efficiently than will external advice”
(Smith et al 2013, p. 69).
