We released a movie titled “How Coaching Works” as a way to explain coaching, via YouTube, using an animated cartoon. This blog series aims to share the psychological underpinnings of the coach approach demonstrated in the carton and utilized by master coaches.

 One key to masterful coaching is the idea of being “in flow.” This happens in two ways in the coaching relationship:

1) Flow in the relationship between the coach and the client; a dance-like conversation in which both parties are fully engaged and stretched and neither is controlling the dance.

 2) Flow in the relationship between the client and the client’s wellness goals; in other words, finding goals which match their level of readiness and confidence while stretching their skills.

 I recently wrote an article about the “Flow to Health and Happiness“  for Idea Fitness Journal. Check it out and let me know what you think.

 Masterful coaches share these and many other pathways to flow to enhance the life experience of their clients. Stay tuned for another introduction to the tools and philosophies of coaching, which you can apply in your own life today.

The fledgling alliance for national coaching standards and coaching research includes the Institute of Coaching and Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, both at Harvard Medical School, and other academic leaders in coaching.

There are four organizations that focus on training professional coaches in healthcare: Wellcoaches Corporation, Duke Integrative Health, University of Minnesota, and RealBalance. Wellcoaches trains around 1,000 coaches per year (4,000 to date in 32 countries).

We’re also working on important publications – two new papers are about to be submitted to journals –
• a literature review of coaching research in healthcare
• a study of coaching in a Medicaid population with depression and co-morbid medical conditions 

Most health and wellness coaches aim to ultimately build an independent practice, supported by consumer demand and medical reimbursement (initially will likely start with Medicare as part of healthcare reform).

Around 10% are independent and successful now, and most have part-time or full-time jobs in health-related fields.

We’ll keep the Coaching Commons community updated as the Center for Coaching in Healthcare gains awareness and support.

Click here for more information.