What is Holistic Coaching?
Coaching is a partnership between coach and client in order to develop a plan for a goal. The coaching belief is that clients have all the answers within; they just need the space and support to identify them. Holistic coaches will view the client’s topic across multiple areas of their life including mind, body, and spirit. Coaching is really just a conversation around what matters to you and how you will achieve success from it. You don’t need to come to coaching with a fully defined goal. Coaching is an opportunity to get clear on what you want, why, and how. Coaching is very “future-focused”.
What are the Benefits of Coaching?
Coaching can be highly beneficial for reaching new goals with the opportunity to learn new things about yourself along the way. Coaching can help you to identify your own beliefs as well as give you the ability to make more conscious decisions day to day. You may also identify limiting beliefs and gain control over your inner critic. Coaching will help you reach new levels of awareness and clarity around your desires while pulling you out of autopilot. Coaching offers you support and empowerment while you work towards clarity.
Why Hire a Coach?
Working with a coach can help you develop actions, planning, awareness, clarity and accountability around something you have been wanting to change or work on in your life. Coaching pulls you out of autopilot to explore something you desire. A coach will help you look at your topic from multiple angles so that you can find out what is truly important to you and focus in on your goals. Coaching can help you change unnecessary patterns of thinking and replace them with deeper levels of self-empowerment and self-confidence in order to chase after what you want in life.
How is Coaching Different from other Modalities?
Coaching is often confused with therapy or consulting. In therapy, the therapist is typically leading you through an exploration of past feelings and issues in order to identify problematic thought processes. The therapist is typically seen as the authoritative figure in the relationship. With consulting, you are looking for a more direct solution to a problem from the consultant. With coaching, coach and client work together in a co-creative partnership to explore your current and future potential. Coaches are not meant to be teachers or authoritative leaders. Unlike therapy or consulting, coaching is also typically a short-term partnership. Coaching is NOT a substitute for professional medical or behavioral treatment.
What you are Gaining:
- Someone to support you by helping you turn your goals and ideas into reality
- A fresh new creative process to shift your perspective about yourself
- A commitment to yourself by investing your time and money into hiring a coach
- Added structure to your dreams and desires, in order to work on consistency
- Time to sit down in a safe space and discuss your thoughts with an unbiased ear
- A chance to pull yourself out of autopilot to gain new clarity and awareness
- Belief in yourself through identifying areas of empowerment and self-confidence
The Dimensions of Wellness
A concept created by the National Wellness Institute in 1976*, the Dimensions of Wellness encompass the various areas of our lives which together make us “well”. These have expanded over the years in consideration of anywhere between 6-8 different areas.
- Physical
- Emotional
- Social
- Environmental
- Intellectual
- Occupational
- Financial
- Spiritual
*Reference: National Wellness Institute Inc. (2024, July 2). NWI History. National Wellness Institute. https://nationalwellness.org/
Dimensions & Coaching
The dimensions of wellness are not only a great starting point for deciding what to coach around, but realizing the impact each area has on your life can be beneficial for keeping you grounded during and after a session.
Physical
Health, Movement, Diet, Exercise
How is your physical health?
Are you getting enough movement?
Do you take care of yourself?
Emotional
Mental Health, Processing Emotions
How is your mental health?
Do you have control of your emotions?
How is your self-esteem and confidence?
Social
Friends, Family, Community, Belonging
How often do you interact with others?
Are you having meaningful discussions?
Do you feel loved and appreciated?
Environmental
Home, Feng Shui, Natural Surroundings
How often are you getting fresh air?
Is the space around you chaotic?
Are you comfortable in your surrounding?
Intellectual
Skills, Hobbies, Challenges
Do you find ways to challenge yourself?
Do you have hobbies you enjoy?
Do you push yourself to learn new things?
Occupational
Work, Contributions, Networking
How is your work-home life balance?
Is your job causing you stress?
Do you feel like you contribute to society?
Financial
Spending, Saving, Investments
Do you carry constant financial stress?
Are you saving for your future?
Are you financially secure?
Spiritual
Purpose, Peace, Higher Knowing
Do you understand your life’s purpose?
Do you have faith in the unknown?
Are you connected to something greater?