While health coach is a new field, it’s becoming increasingly popular and is expected to grow even more. People want more support and motivation to change their unhealthy habits. Until recently, however, there wasn’t much of a formal career pathway for someone who wanted to become a health coach. But now, many colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in sports psychology with a focus on wellness and health coaching, which provides an excellent education for the field and helps graduates find employment as a wellness and health coach.
The premise behind health coaching is that rather than looking at what’s wrong with clients, coaches focus on harnessing their strengths to improve specific health behaviors. Often, this involves changing the client’s mindset, as well. For example, instead of focusing on how to stop binge eating or how to lose weight, the health coach will help the client identify what their goals are and then create a plan that is realistic given the current lifestyle and circumstances.
In addition to their one-on-one sessions with clients, health coaches also may conduct group coaching sessions. These are sometimes conducted at workplaces or via online platforms such as SKYPE or Zoom. These groups can be as small as 6-8 people, and the coach will facilitate conversations and set health goals and targets for the group.
Because the coaching profession is unregulated, not everyone who wants to be a health coach has a degree or certification. But most employers and clients prefer to work with professionals who have a formal education in the field. Many college and university programs offer degrees in sports psychology or other related fields that prepare students to become health coaches, and several reputable organizations also offer professional certification for those who wish to pursue this career path.
It’s important for aspiring health coaches to research the different programs available before making their choice. Some offer online courses only, while others provide in-person classes and internship opportunities. It’s also a good idea for potential coaches to speak with other professionals in the field to find out which programs they feel are most reputable.
Once a health coach is certified, they can start working with clients on a full-time basis or work on a part-time basis while they build their client base. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, a health coach can expect to earn an average salary of $48,860 per year, but this figure will vary depending on experience and location. For example, those who start out at a clinic will typically earn less than those who work in private practice. And the amount that health coaches can charge for their services will vary as well. Some coaches will accept a flat fee, while others will charge a percentage of the client’s total savings.