Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions about coaching services at Mind Body 7, please email Shoshana at shoshana@mindbody7.com

What is the difference between wellness coaching and therapy or counseling?

While therapy and coaching both involve having meaningful and potentially powerful conversations within a safe and confidential space, considerable differences exist between the two types of relationships. The primary difference is that therapy and counseling are clinical interventions that are intended to help the patient/client alleviate mental and emotional suffering, resolve traumas, address dysfunctional behaviors, and process difficult emotions and experiences. In contrast, coaches are not clinical providers. They do not diagnose, treat, or prevent health or mental health challenges. Rather, their goal is to empower, motivate, and mobilize. They ask powerful questions, help clients craft visions and come up with action steps that align with their self-determined goals.

Is wellness coaching covered by insurance?

Coaching is typically not covered by health insurance. Most coaching clients pay out of pocket for their coaching support, or they have employers that offer this service to their employees as part of an overall employee wellness service. Some flexible spending accounts or health spending accounts will allow you to use funds to cover coaching services, but it is up to the client to check with their FSA or HSA to learn if this option exists. 

Can I use wellness coaching as a substitute for therapy?

No. If you are experiencing mental or emotional distress, including depressive symptoms, anxiety, panic, acute or chronic stress, suicidal thoughts, or any other distressing psychiatric symptom, it is critical that you reach out to a licensed clinical provider (such as the clinical team at MB7) right away to obtain appropriate mental health care. Once you have been seen by a clinician and are receiving care, you and your clinician(s) may determine together if coaching could provide helpful support to assist you in making additional gains, especially in the areas of healthy habits and sustainable lifestyle changes that support overall well-being. Sometimes clinicians make lifestyle recommendations that are challenging to implement due to the stresses of daily life. In this case, a health and wellness coach can help you act upon your clinicians’ recommendations and come up with strategies to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle changes that fit within your busy life.

What topics can I address in wellness coaching?

Health and wellness coaches typically address topics related to health and well-being, including the six dimensions of lifestyle medicine: physical activity, nutrition, sleep health, stress management, healthy relationships, and avoidance of risky substances. However, since wellness is a holistic concept, health and wellness coaches acknowledge that many aspects of our life influence our well-being, including career, creativity, spirituality, hobbies, volunteering, and more. Making improvements in these areas may have a direct impact on your experience of health and vitality. Coaches are skilled and empathic listeners and can provide support in many areas of life. If topics arise that indicate the need for clinical support, the coach must bring it to the client’s attention that the topic falls outside the coach’s scope and the coach will support the client in finding appropriate care or resources. 

Are coaches licensed providers?

Generally, no, but sometimes, yes. A National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) is a certified coach who has completed a rigorous training program in coaching skills, theories, and methodology and has gained the necessary experience to sit for and pass the national board exam that the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching administers in collaboration with the National Board of Medical Examiners. As a consumer of coaching services, it is important for clients to be familiar with the training and credentials of their potential coach because coaching is not a nationally- or state-regulated profession; technically, anyone may call themselves a “coach.” However, only someone with the appropriate training and knowledge can call themselves a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). NBC-HWCs come from many different backgrounds and professions. It is possible for some coaches to also have licensure as a clinical provider. However, these coaches must disclose to the client the type of role they are serving in at the time of service.  As a general rule, a licensed mental health provider may provide coaching support, but a certified coach (when serving in that role at the time of the professional engagement) may not provide therapy, counseling, nutritional guidance, or other health care services, as that would be outside of the coaching scope of practice.

Will wellness coaching help me feel better and achieve my goals?

Health and wellness coaching is a powerful, evidence-based modality that has been shown to help clients make meaningful and sustainable changes in many different areas of life, including in areas that impact health and well-being. The relationship is a client-centered partnership designed to empower you as you design your own vision of a well-lived and healthy life and find sustainable ways to move toward that vision. The coach helps create the structured container for exploration, but the client is in charge of their goals, actions, and results. As a result, we cannot guarantee your success in any particular area. You are responsible for your decisions and outcomes. The client will do their best to show up for you and support you in your journey, assisting you in staying focused and committed to your goals.