FAQ’s

Q: What is the difference between a Health Coach and an Integrative Health Coach (IHC)?

A: “Most health coaching today focuses on enhancing physical health. Exercising and eating a healthy diet…(IHC takes into account that) our physical health is unequivocally linked to the quality of our mental and spiritual health, as well. Integrative Health Coaching is a process that facilitates healthy, sustainable thought and behavioral patterns that lead to healthy outcomes and optimal functioning of the human mind, body and spirit. The goal is to solidify healthy habits by putting theory into action. (Integrative) Health coaching draws on the principles of positive psychology, synergy, energetic support, and the practices of Motivational Interviewing, goal setting, and mindfulness to assist you in becoming all that you were meant to be.”

Quoted from the Nickerson Institute Website

Q: Which organization is your certification through and is it accredited?

A: The Nickerson Institute. Yes, the program is accredited with the Health Coach Alliance and with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.

Q: What is the difference between an Integrative Health Coach and a therapist or counselor?

A: The difference between an Integrative Health Coach and a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or Counselor is that MFT’s and Counselors go through a two year Master’s Program. They have the authority to diagnose clients and tend to work with a wide variety of mental health conditions such as Trauma, Bi-Polar, Schizophrenia, and Major Depressive Disorder, to name a few.

While the IHC training through the Nickerson Institute focuses on mental health, it is based on the premise that the mind and body are intricately linked. IHC’s help clients who may have already been through therapy but may need help navigating through the following, and much more: Lifestyle changes; anxiety; depression; and/or phase-of-life changes—Some examples include graduation, new marriage, new baby, empty nesting, moving into a retirement community or figuring out next steps for those who may have been out of the workforce raising their children.

IHC’s and the client work collaboratively regarding goal setting and accountability. Clients become empowered when they are educated on ways they can help themselves mentally, emotionally and physically through proper nutrition and supplementation, exercise, understanding how energy frequencies and spirituality contribute to a client’s overall well-being. Various techniques such as, visualization and mindfulness, meditation, cognitive behavioral coaching, motivational interviewing and more are evidence-based modalities that assist clients in reaching their highest potential.

In addition, IHC’s earn a certification in the field. Integrative Health Coaches are an important component in bridging the gap of therapist shortages thereby providing help to those who may not have access otherwise.