Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions 〰️
What is a Health Coach?
Health coaches support clients to make diet, lifestyle and behavior change. You are in charge of YOUR life. You are going to make the decisions about what you want to change, and you will be the one doing it… but you don’t have to be alone. We will utilize your strengths in order to make the changes that are important to you. We will link the behavior change to match your specific needs. We can work to form or reverse habits so that these behaviors support your life and health. We work on these things using a positive strengths based approach, guidance when needed and ample support.
What are your qualifications?
I have a bachelors in Psychology and a Master’s in Education with an emphasis on Health promotion from the University of Texas at Austin. I desired to help individuals improve their quality of life so I continued in school to earn my Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Women’s University in Houston. I loved working with patients in an outpatient rehab setting to help restore functional use of their upper extremity. After having 3 daughters, I have developed a strong passion to help moms balance caregiving to their children with preserving and nurturing their own health. I am a certified ADAPT functional medicine health coach through the Kresser Institute. In 2020, I passed the national boards of health and wellness coaching. I recently completed a 200 hour yoga teacher certification. My motto is never stop learning and never stop growing.
What can’t a health coach do?
Health coaches are not doctors. I can not diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or heal a medical condition.
Are services covered by insurance?
Unfortunately not.
Why do I need a health coach?
Behavior change is hard. Only 6% of Americans engage in the top five health-promoting behaviors: not smoking, getting regular exercise, consuming less (or no) alcohol, maintaining a normal body weight, and getting enough sleep. It isn’t a knowledge issue. It is a life is hard/complicated/busy issue. That is where a health coach can come in. YOU are the expert on YOUR life, but in order to implement these changes, sometimes you need support, encouragement and accountability. Maybe you need someone to brainstorm ideas on how to make it happen with your specific situation. Maybe your doctor has given you a “to do” list, but you are already feeling maxed out with your regular “to do” list. I would love the opportunity to come along side you and help. Regular life can be hard, changing it can be even harder, let’s do it together!
What does a coaching session look like?
Is a referral needed?
No, but I am happy to work with your physician to implement the healthy lifestyle changes he/she recommends. For example, if your doctor suggests you try an elimination diet to explore food sensitivities, I can help you with that process. Another example would be if your doctor says to improve sleep due to an inadequate cortisol awakening response, I can help support you with needed behavioral changes.
Do I have to eat a paleo diet?
No. My training focuses on a nutrient dense diet that uses a flexible Paleo template. Listening to your body’s feedback will help guide you towards the template on which you thrive. You are in charge of your diet. Your dietary template may include keto, intermittent fasting, autoimmune protocol, or limitations due to food allergies. No one dietary template fits all! While I don’t prescribe diets, I can support your desired changes based on what your doctor recommends or what you feel best suits your needs.