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 Arkansasedmink@uark.edu

Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert,PhD, MCHES, CWHCDirector, STAR CentralPat Walker Health CenterUniversity of Arkansasmwyandt@uark.edu