5 Easy Steps to Become a Holistic Health Coach

When we take a holistic approach to health and healthcare, we’re in a bigger picture here. It’s not just about what someone eats or how much they exercise. It’s about how the different parts of their life affect their overall well-being. That means, as a holistic health coach, you need to consider their relationships, their work-life balance, and so much more. 

As for the profession, the demand for holistic health coaching has seen a rise in recent years. As more people are seeking natural and integrative approaches to health and wellness, the role of a holistic health coach has become essential. You guide clients in achieving their overall well-being by addressing the mind, body, and spirit.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the 5 important steps to become a holistic health coach, from gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to starting a successful coaching practice.

What Does a Holistic Health Coach Do?

As a holistic health coach, your role is to guide clients towards achieving their health goals by focusing on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. You help clients develop sustainable lifestyle changes that promote overall well-being. 

Here’s a closer look at what you can and cannot do in your role:

What you can do:

1. Provide personalized support: You offer tailored advice and support based on each client’s unique needs and goals. This can include guidance on nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene.
2. Educate and empower: Your goal is to educate clients about healthy habits and empower them to make informed decisions. This includes teaching them about the benefits of whole foods, regular physical activity, mindfulness practices, and more.
3. Set realistic goals: You work with clients to set achievable health goals and develop actionable plans to reach them. This often involves breaking down larger objectives into smaller, manageable steps.
4. Offer accountability and motivation: Regular check-ins, whether in person or virtually, help keep clients accountable and motivated. You provide encouragement and adjust plans as needed to ensure continuous progress.

An easy way to set realistic goals and increase accountability in clients is to use a digital coaching platform like Simply.Coach, with in-built goal and progress tracking that helps you set clear, measurable objectives for your clients and monitor their progress.

5. Holistic approach: You consider all aspects of a client’s life, including emotional and mental health, relationships, and work-life balance, to create a comprehensive wellness plan.
6. Behavior change support: You use behavior change techniques to help clients develop healthier habits and overcome hardships. This can be identifying triggers for unhealthy behaviors and finding strategies to address them.

What you cannot do:

1. Diagnose medical conditions: Unlike doctors, you cannot diagnose clients with specific medical conditions or prescribe medication. Your role is to support overall wellness, not to treat illnesses.
2. Create specific medical treatment plans: While nutritionists and dietitians may put clients on specific eating plans to address medical issues, your role is to guide clients towards healthier eating patterns without prescribing a specific diet for medical treatment.
3. Provide specialized medical advice: You should avoid giving advice that falls outside your scope of practice, such as detailed guidance on managing complex medical conditions. Clients with such needs should be referred to appropriate healthcare professionals.
4. Perform medical procedures: Any type of medical procedure, even something as simple as a blood test, is outside your scope of practice. Always direct clients to licensed medical practitioners for these services.

Your primary focus is to help clients find the tools and skills they need to reach their health goals. By offering personalized support, education, and accountability, you play a big role in guiding clients towards a healthier and more balanced life. 

While you may not provide medical diagnosis or treatment plans, your holistic approach helps clients receive comprehensive support on their wellness journey.

5 Steps to Become a Holistic Health Coach

Becoming a holistic health coach involves a blend of education, practical experience, and personal development. Follow these five steps to build a successful career in this rewarding field, helping others achieve their health and wellness goals.

Step 1: Develop a great business plan

In this next phase, it’s time to create a business plan. Let’s turn your coaching vision into a concrete plan. You’re building a coaching business, and a key step is identifying who you want to help.

Are you passionate about helping college students find their career path? Perhaps you envision working with small business owners to boost their profits. Or maybe your ideal client is a group of retirees looking to rediscover their passions. 

Clearly defining your target market is important for building a thriving coaching practice.

Set clear goals: Outline the specific objectives you want to achieve, both for your clients and for your business. Establish short-term and long-term goals to guide your efforts.

Think about what sets you apart and start crafting a successful strategy to draw in your ideal clients. Develop a marketing plan that integrates social media to share valuable content and engage with your audience.

Here are some tips to get you started:

Develop a marketing strategy: Identify the best ways to reach your target market. This could include designing a captivating website, posting engaging content on social media, or partnering with local businesses. Make sure your marketing efforts are aligned with your business goals.

Marketing strategy:

• Build a strong online presence:
  • Create a professional website: Ensure it’s user-friendly, visually appealing, and highlights your services and testimonials.
  • Use social media: Share valuable content, engage with your audience, and build your brand.
  • Start a blog: Publish articles relevant to your niche to establish expertise and boost SEO.
• Network and collaborate:
  • Join professional organizations: Network and improve your credibility.
  • Collaborate with other professionals: Partner with gyms or wellness centers for workshops.
  • Attend events: Participate in health fairs and community events to connect with potential clients.
• Use testimonials and referrals:
  • Collect testimonials: Showcase satisfied client feedback on your website and social platforms.
  • Execute a referral program: Offer incentives for client referrals to grow your client base.

Also, you can offer supplementary activities like writing, consulting, or speaking, and develop online courses to boost income and attract a broader audience.

Keep in mind that even the most talented coaches can’t flourish if they remain hidden. It’s your moment to step into the spotlight, showcase your unique offerings, and build those valuable connections.

Step 2: Choose your niche

Holistic health is broad, consisting of various programs that contribute to an individual’s overall well-being. There are diverse opportunities across various settings. Healthcare institutions and wellness centers often employ you to support patient care. Schools and educational institutions may hire you to work with students and staff. Corporate wellness programs are another growing area, as companies recognize the benefits of promoting employee health and well-being. 

While “holistic” often pertains to nutrition, in health and wellness coaching, it involves examining the entire picture to achieve a balanced, well-rounded body. 

Here are some niches you might consider focusing on:

Nutrition

Nutrition extends far beyond advising clients to follow standard dietary guidelines. As a health coach, you’ll need to delve into supplements, allergies, managing potential food intolerances, and finding the optimal balance of different types of food and nutrients that your client needs.

It also involves using food as medicine to address illnesses or pain. This could include using essential oils to remedy certain conditions. For clients who want to lose weight, you can recommend implementing a series of small but sustainable dietary changes to expedite the process.

Fitness

When helping a client achieve their fitness goals, you first need to assess their abilities and limitations. Specializing in this niche of holistic coaching involves tailoring workouts and therapeutic activities to assist with recovery from injuries, major surgery, or childbirth. 

For those seeking to enhance overall fitness, you would help them establish a fitness regimen and find sustainable ways to incorporate activity into their daily routine. This could involve activities like yoga, pilates, dancing, and strength training. Additionally, you would need to develop an action plan for various activities to minimize the risk of injury, harm, or stress.

Use the client management features of Simply.Coach to welcome new clients on board. You can set up personalized workspaces and start chatting with them right away using the chat and collaboration tools. You can also share helpful resources, manage action plans together, and keep an eye on progress to keep your clients motivated and engaged!

Holistic health goes beyond just training and exercise. It may also involve exploring specialized treatments provided by massage therapists, acupuncturists, and chiropractors.

While having a niche is useful for addressing specific needs, as a true holistic health coach, it’s important to consider the nutritional, physical, and mental aspects of your client’s life to effectively guide them toward their goals.

Step 3: Earning a certification

If you’re serious about a career in this field, getting certified with a reliable and legit certification is important to work with clients effectively.

Accreditation is a critical factor when choosing an online program. Accredited programs meet established standards of quality and are recognized by reputable organizations like the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). Completing an accredited program ensures that you receive a high-quality education and makes you eligible for certification, which is essential for establishing credibility and trust with clients.

Here are some of the best holistic health coaching programs:

• ACE Fitness Certificate
• Dr. Sears Wellness Institute Health Coach Certification
• Emory University Health and Wellness Certificate
• HCI Dual Life & Health Coach Certificate Program
• IIN Health Coach Training Program
• National Society of Health Coaches Evidence-based Health Coach Certification

Step 4: Pursue training and education in multiple disciplines

A well-rounded education in holistic health has several core areas. To effectively support your clients, consider pursuing training in the following key areas:

Nutrition: Understanding the impact of dietary habits on overall health is fundamental. Courses in nutrition will equip you to guide clients toward healthier eating patterns.

Recommended program: Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification  

Wellness and stress management: These courses offer insights into maintaining balance and managing stress in daily life, which is crucial for overall well-being.

Recommended program: Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART): A Relaxation Response Resiliency Program®

Habit change coaching: Learn techniques to help clients modify behaviors for better health outcomes, ensuring lasting improvements.

Recommended program: Wellcoaches Certified Health and Wellness Coach Training

Life coaching: Develop the skills needed to guide clients through personal and professional challenges, providing a comprehensive approach to their well-being.

Recommended program: Institute for Life Coach Training’s Certified Professional Life Coach Program

Kinesiology or physical therapy: Focus on physical health and movement to address clients’ physical well-being and injury prevention.

Recommended program: American Council on Exercise Functional Training Specialist Program

Naturopathy or homeopathy: Explore natural and traditional medicines to offer alternative health solutions and holistic care.

Recommended program: Bastyr University’s Naturopathic Medicine Program or School of Homeopathy’s Online Homeopathy Programs

Mental health coaching: Expand your expertise by pursuing psychological studies to include mental health coaching.

Recommended program: Integrative Health Practitioner Institute’s Level 2 Certification

Step 5: Gain some practical experience

After completing the theoretical portion of your training, it’s essential to apply what you’ve learned before working with paying clients. The IIN certification program mandates that students complete five practice coaching sessions before graduation.

You can refine your skills by practicing with friends, family members, or fellow students in the program. This experience will give you a sense of what it’s like to work with real clients. Building confidence and expertise through practice is crucial for attracting clients. The more you practice, the more comfortable and proficient you’ll become.

So, get your name out there and watch your coaching practice thrive!

How to Improve Your Skill as a Holistic Health Coach?

1. Seek advice and mentorship from industry experts

One of the best ways to gain insights into the field is by connecting with active holistic health coaches. Reach out to professionals in your network or through social media platforms to seek advice and mentorship. Experienced coaches can provide you with valuable guidance on the best educational programs, the realities of the job, and strategies for building a successful practice.

Here are some questions that you can consider asking seasoned coaches:

1. What educational programs or certifications do you recommend for someone starting out in holistic health coaching?
2. What are some common challenges you faced when you first started your practice, and how did you tackle them?
3. How do you stay updated with the latest trends and research in holistic health and wellness?
4. What strategies have been most effective for you in building and retaining a client base?
5. Can you share any tips on maintaining a work-life balance while running a holistic health coaching business?

2. Continuously educate yourself

Stay updated with the latest research and trends in holistic health. Enroll in advanced courses, attend workshops, and participate in webinars to expand your knowledge. This continuous learning not only enhances your expertise but also ensures you provide the best possible advice and support to your clients. Keeping abreast of new methodologies and scientific findings helps you to offer great solutions to your clients’ health challenges.

3. Develop strong communication skills

Effective communication is key to building trust and understanding with your clients. Work on developing active listening skills, empathy, and the ability to convey complex information in a simple and relatable manner. Strong communication helps in understanding your clients’ needs and providing personalized guidance. Basically, clear and compassionate communication can improve client satisfaction and adherence to health plans.

4. Cultivate a niche specialization

One of the most effective ways to stand out and enhance your skills as a holistic health coach is to specialize in a specific niche. Whether it’s focusing on nutrition for chronic illness management, stress reduction techniques, or wellness coaching for corporate clients, having a niche allows you to develop deep expertise in a particular area. This specialization not only makes you more attractive to clients looking for specific help but also positions you as an authority in that field. As you become known for your niche, your reputation grows, and you can command higher rates while delivering more targeted and effective solutions to your clients’ needs.

Following these steps can help you improve your skills as a holistic health coach, providing exceptional guidance and support to your clients while building a successful and fulfilling practice.

Read: How to Become a Certified Mental Health Coach (2024)

Conclusion

Part of the rewarding journey towards becoming a holistic health coach involves understanding that your client’s needs are always evolving. What may be right for them today may not be the case next week – and that’s okay. 

Stay focused on their goals, keep track of their progress, and make changes along the way if you need to. Embrace the flexibility and adaptability required to help your clients achieve their dreams.

Finally, remember that with the right mindset and strategies, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful, sought-after health coach.To make your coaching journey smooth, book a demo with Simply.Coach.