Wellness Coaching as an Emerging Trend in
College Health Centers
Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert, PhD, MCHES, CWHC
Ed Mink, EdD, CHES, CWHCUniversity of Arkansas
Disclosure
Although we have obtained our training and certifications through The Wellness Coach Training Institute of Real Balance Global Wellness Services, Inc, we do not represent Real Balance and its enterprises.
There are numerous wellness coaching training programs. We are not here to endorse one over the other. Individuals should investigate options and decide what is best for their individual and professional goals and needs.
Introductions
Introductions
▪ 6 lab, 1 x-ray, 1 dietician ▪ 10 counselors▪ 9 graduate assistants▪ numerous support staff
Pat Walker Health Center health staff▪ 4 health educators▪ 9 physicians▪ 4 advance practice nurses▪ 17 nurses
Wellness and health services provided for a population of 23,917 students and 4,327 staff/faculty through▪ Wellness and Health Promotion Department▪ Primary Medical and Women’s Clinics▪ Counseling and Psychological Services
Introductions
Wellness and Health Promotion Department consists of: 4 professional health educators
▪ 3 with doctorate degrees and 1 ABD▪ 3 CHES, 1 MCHES▪ 4 CWHC
3 graduate assistants 1 sexual violence prevention educator 16 peer educators between two
programs
Agenda
Define wellness Roots of wellness coaching Define wellness coaching
Cornerstones of coaching The Wellness Coach Coaching options
Current uses of wellness coaching Vision for future Q & A
Wellness is….
A conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential.
Multidimensional and holistic … encompassing such factors as lifestyle, mental, emotional, relational and spiritual well-being and one’s environment.
Positive and affirming.-Judd Allen, PhD
Wellness is…
A choice, a way of life, a process, an efficient channeling of energy, an integration of mind, body, spirit and a loving acceptance of one’s self.
Calls for options, individuality, and choices freely made.
-John Travis
Wellness is…
A process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful existence.
-The National Wellness Institute
Living your life very consciously in ways that enhance your health and well-being.
-Michael Arloski, PhD, PCC, CWP
Travis – The Illness-Wellness Continuum
There are many degrees of wellness, just as there are many degrees of illness
Illustrates the relationship of the treatment paradigm to the wellness paradigm
Wellness Coaching and The Mind-Set Shift Traditional Modes:
“Prescribe and Treat”▪ Relies on authority of position
“Educate and Implore”▪ Relies almost totally on education and information
Shifting to a New Mind-Set: “Advocate and Inspire”▪ See clients in a whole-person way▪ Focus on building client self-efficacy▪ Facilitates client’s own process of growth and change▪ Resource – not director
Wellness Coaching is…
Evidence-based and rooted in behavioral science Carl Jung and Alfred Adler▪ Individuals have the capacity to develop creative and fulfilling
lives through their own actions and beliefs
Carl Rogers▪ Growth and healing is fostered in the therapeutic relationship
…”helper as ally.”
Positive Psychology - Martin Seligman▪ Based on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and
fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves (strengths), and to enhance their experiences of love, work and play
Stages of Change/Transtheoretical Model
Wellness Coaching is…
the application of the principles and processes of professional life coaching to the goals of lifestyle improvement for higher levels of wellness.
It is an alliance between a professional coach and a person (or persons) who, through the benefit of that relationship, seeks lasting, lifestyle behavioral change.
Wellness Coaching is…
about accompanying the client along their path toward well-being and vitality.
it is a client-centered process that can be applied to many different health-related professions and may enhance the effectiveness of behavior change.
Wellness Coaching is…
about possibilities. about vision, planning, and
accountability.
The Four Cornerstones of Coaching
The client is naturally creative,
resourceful, and whole.
Coaching addresses the client’s whole life.
The agenda comes from the client.
The relationship
is a designed alliance.
The Wellness Coach is…
the health professional who helps their client succeed at lasting lifestyle improvement while utilizing a unique skill set
Wellness Coaching Options
Individual Coaching
coping with a health challenge
shifting to thriving and not just surviving
prevention after warning signal
building medical compliance
come back after significant health event
Group Coaching
clients with shared challenge give support/empathy
others perspectives lead to personal solutions
cost effective group may be more
attractive to some or serve to introduce more focused individual coaching
accountability to group may foster greater engagement
Wellness Coaching & SEC Schools
SEC schools offering coaching services to students and not just faculty/staff.
University of Arkansas, Missouri, and Florida
SEC schools offering coaching services for faculty and staff only as part of campus employee wellness initiatives.
Vanderbilt, Alabama, S. Carolina, and Kentucky
Current Use of Wellness Coachingat the University of Arkansas
Academic Classes Lifestyle Improvement Series (CHLP 2101:
Special Topics)
Example ▪ Assertiveness Training for Wellness & Resilience▪ Individual behavior change focus and experiential practice, contracting, accountability through journaling and progress reports.▪ Includes assertiveness training group coaching.
Current Use of Wellness Coachingat the University of Arkansas
Individual Wellness Coaching
Referrals are made from the Medical Clinic and CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services) of the PWHC.
Students may also voluntarily seek wellness coaching.
Current Use of Wellness Coachingat the University of Arkansas
Support Group Format
Example▪ Survivors’ Chat Group▪ Psycho-educational, peer-based support group for survivors of sexual violence and/or relationship violence
▪ Tools of group coaching are used as participants self-discover and provide healing from within and share personal strategies
Current Use of Wellness Coachingat the University of Arkansas
Individual Victim Advocacy
Example
▪ Sexual assault advocacy services…use principles and tools of individual coaching to help clients decide the course they wish to pursue with
reporting options counseling options assessing peer relationships other issues as they arise
“Wellness Mapping 360”Personal Life Wheel (Principles and Practice)
Readiness for change and exploration.
Can be adapted and applied to specific areas of health and wellness.A tool from Real Balance Wellness Coaching Institute 360 Wellness Mapping.
“Wellness Mapping 360”Personal Life Wheel (Principles and Practice)
Our Vision for Future Use of WellnessCoaching Within a University Health Center
Integrated Behavioral Health Model
A system of health care service delivery that reconnects the mind and body
Mental health professionals and wellness coaches are integrated into primary care
There exist various levels of wellness/mental health/medical integration.
Integrating wellness and mental health services into primary care clinics can increase access to needed care for college students.
-Ana J. Bridges, PhD
Expand Wellness Coaching to include Health Coaching
Health coaching takes wellness coaching into traditional medical treatment through skilled work with people with health challenges.
As part of lifestyle medicine, lifestyle improvement is a key part of effective treatment.
Health coaching merges behavior/lifestyle change with the medical model as part of a wellness revolution.
Our Vision for Future Use of WellnessCoaching Within a University Health Center
Path to Wellness
On-line array of wellness and mental health information and “virtual practices” that a student may access
▪ as she/he awaits a clinical appointment
▪ as part of a personal proactive strategy
▪ as a supplement to face to face interventions
Our Vision for Future Use of WellnessCoaching Within a University Health Center
Benefits of the inclusion of coaching: Greater accountability for healthier
lifestyle as solutions come from within Enhanced access to resources from a
client-centered approach Group coaching helps clients discover,
share, and provide peer support Greater potential for medical compliance
with health challenges Enhance the potential for overall student
success
Our Vision for Future Use of WellnessCoaching Within a University Health Center
Our Vision for Future Use of Wellness Coaching Within a University Health Center
A Wellness Center (our dream, and plan…)
A center founded on the guiding philosophy and practices of wellness, with the thread consistently interwoven throughout all services offered and provided. Where the pursuit of wellness is primary!
Concluding Thought
“…the preventative posture is defensive and largely reactive. That is, it is designed to protect you against illness or disease; wellness, on the other hand, achieves the same end by advocating health enrichment, or health promotion, and life enhancement.”
-Don Ardell, PhD
Questions?
Contact information:Ed Mink, EdD, CHES, CWHCDirectorWellness & Health PromotionPat Walker Health CenterUniversity of [email protected]
Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert,PhD, MCHES, CWHCDirector, STAR CentralPat Walker Health CenterUniversity of [email protected]