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Within the NC HeAL program, certified health and wellness coaches help improve the physical health and well-being of adolescents and young adults served by the Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) Clinics of North Carolina.ÌýÌýÌý

• As outlined in the NC HeAL program, a health coach will partner one-on-one with clients to address lifestyle behaviors that can impact physical health and overall well-being. Together, they will work to improve nutrition, increase movement, improve sleep habits, and reduce or stop nicotine use.ÌýÌý
• Through an evidence-based process, the coach and client take time for self-exploration and discovery. Coaches create a space for clients to reflect on where they find themselves today and where they want to be. They may touch on personal insight and experience, strengths, values, and resources to create a vision of future personal health and wellness. They will collaborate to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals, commit to action steps, and set up accountability.ÌýÌý
• Coaches provide a structure to coaching sessions. However, the client leads the areas of focus – coaches do not act as experts giving advice; instead, they create a space to facilitate sustainable behavior change at a pace set by the client.ÌýÌý
• When called for and used minimally, health and wellness coaches offer evidence-based health information and approved resources and guidelines from nationally recognized authorities such as the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches, the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Department of Health and Human Services.Ìý
• NC HeAL employs national board-certified health and wellness coaches who abide by the scope and standards set out by that board ( scope of practice link)ÌýÌý

What is NOT coaching:ÌýÌý

• Coaches do not advise, treat, diagnose, interpret medical data, order labs, or provide psychotherapy or interventions. They do not give nutritional advice or create or supply meals or exercise instructions or plans.ÌýÌý
• Coaching is not directive – Clients choose what’s most important to discuss and focus on together. The primary role of coaches is not content experts or educators who instruct a client on what to do. (NBHWC)ÌýÌý
• Coaches do not offer opinions on what is best for the client. The client creates self-directed goals based on what they want to achieve in their lives. In the NC HeAL program, coaches are part of a multidisciplinary collaborative healthcare team. They may help clients understand their doctor’s orders and recommendations and develop a plan as a thinking partner to follow through on implementing care.ÌýÌýÌý

• • Ex. A coach brainstorms with a client on how they will start a walking program as recommended by their physician.ÌýÌýÌý
  • Ex. A coach works with a client to brainstorm an action plan to take their prescribed medication consistently as directed by their physician.ÌýÌý