Cathy Liska Experience and education in different health and wellness areas are often in place when choosing to move into coaching. If the coaching expertise comes first, then a coach may be exploring specific niche areas, reading and researching, taking classes, acquiring certification or licensure, and / or working in a specific field to learn while gaining the appropriate experience.
Because health and wellness encompass such a wide range of possible expertise, the ideal is for the Health and Wellness Coach to specifically define their niche and clearly state education, experience, and expertise. In this way potential employers or clients have the information to make a decision.
Whether beginning as a coach or moving to the profession after gaining experience in one of the many health or wellness fields, coach training starts with the basics. Specifically, the International Coaching Feder
ation publishes Core Competencies. Coach training programs that are approved teach and develop some or all of these competencies. A professional coach is expected to have the training for developing all competencies. Training programs that are approved start at 30 hours. ICF requires a minimum of 60 hours for membership and this is fast becoming the standard for a coach. At advanced levels coaches pursue specialized training and ICF credentialing. For example, ICF offers three credentials and at the first credential level, the ACC, they require 60 hours of training – the same as is required for membership. At the second level, the PCC, 125 hours of training are required.
Specialized training often makes sense for coaches. This is true when coaching in specific niche areas such as health and wellness because there are special considerations in the coaching relationship. As the coaching profession grows there is an increasing awareness of the significance to seeking advanced coach training to best serve clients.
