Health and Wellness Coaching is both art and science, constructs and craft. To go beyond competency to proficiency, and ultimately to mastery it is the craft that has to be learned, practiced, and advanced. Yet, it is just that development of skill, awareness, and wisdom that is so seldom written about. This blog is dedicated to just that: ADVANCING THE CRAFT OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING.
My work in the helping professions spans five decades, evolving from counselor to psychologist to coach. I was very fortunate to have that growth catalyzed by the Human Potential Movement; incredible mentorship from Gestalt Therapy masters, mind-body and biofeedback pioneers and tough-minded psychology professors. Already drawn toward the humanistic slice of the psychology pie, I was even more fortunate to become involved in the wellness field when it was in its infancy, attending the world’s first wellness conference in the late 1970’s. That dive into the world of wellness and health promotion became my passion, and as a psychologist, I saw the need for more ways to help people be successful at lasting lifestyle improvement. When life coaching emerged in the mid-1990’s I quickly climbed on board and saw that wellness and coaching was not only a natural fit, but that synthesizing the two was vital to the success of people wanting to grow and be healthy. In 2006 I wrote Wellness Coaching For Lasting Lifestyle Change – the first major book on health and wellness coaching. Now, in its second edition (2014), (and also published in Mandarin) it has helped spread the work of wellness coaching around the globe.
Let me share with you in this blog what I’ve learned from thousands of clients, and the thousands and thousands of health & wellness coaches that me and my company – Real Balance Global Wellness Services, Inc. (https://www.realbalance.com) – have trained. That journey continues as I finish my next major book that will share the title of this blog. Look for its publication later this year.
Please climb on board and share the journey with me!
Michael
Michael Arloski, Ph.D., PCC, NBC-HWC, is a person who is endlessly fascinated with this world and our relationship to it. He says the last time he was bored was about 40 years ago! A wellness psychologist, professional certified coach (PCC), author, trainer and speaker, he travels worldwide helping people discover ways to be well that work, and last. His company, Real Balance Global Wellness Services (www.realbalance.com) has trained thousands of wellness and health coaches and continues to be a leader in the field. He is a Co-Founder and Board Member Emeritus of The National Board For Health and Wellness Coaching as well as Dr. Arloski is a Past President of the Board of Directors of The National Wellness Institute, the Colorado College Counselors Association and the Ohio Society for Behavioral Health and Biofeedback. A pioneering architect of the field of Health & Wellness Coaching, he has authored some of the foundational books of the field: Wellness Coaching for Lasting Lifestyle Change, 2nd Ed.; Your Journey to a Healthier Life, 2nd Ed.; and Masterful Health & Wellness Coaching: Deepening Your Craft. https://wholeperson.com/cgi-wholeperson/sb/productsearch.cgi?storeid=*101fd218a90764414afb
Michael and his wife Deborah, live, work and play in Fort Collins, Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. They are blessed with an incredible blended family of adult children and now grandchildren as well. A photographer, writer, Tai Chi practitioner, and avid outdoorsman, Michael’s passion for the natural world and our connection to it comes through in his work and his own “re-creation”.
Learn more at http://www.realbalance.com
Advancing The Craft Of Health & Wellness Coaching 
Thanks Michael, I look forward to reading more.
David
Thank you David. Hope to hear more from you “in here”! What are some wellness and wellness coaching topics you’d love to see us explore on this blog?
Love your blog. I am starting a therapeutic lifestyle change business and am finding your blog very helpful.
Thank you.
Hi Michael
I thoroughly enjoyed and valued reading your book “Wellness Coaching For Lasting Lifestyle Change”. I am in the process now of writing an ebook titled “The Teenager’s Search For Meaning”
In one of the modules I would like to include your list of “10 Qualities Of Wellness” verbatim and of course acknowledge your name and book as the source.
Would you grant me permission to do so?
Warm Regards
Paul
Thanks folks for your warm responses and support. We are truly all in this together!
Be well!
Hi Michael
I wanted to comment on your most recent post – about marketing oneself as a wellness coach – but could only find the option to comment here so I hope I’m in the right place! I’m refocusing on a midlife niche and am in the early stages of market research to see what the issues are (here in the UK). What’s coming up is less ‘health issues’ and more aspects of wellness (though they don’t call them that) such as time for self, difficult emotions around new roles eg caring for older relatives, not knowing what they enjoy after a lifetime of caring for children…and worklife balance. I’m a bit worried that this is starting to take me away from being a ‘wellness coach’ (not a common term in the UK but one I like) – and more into something like a well, transition coach? Reading other of your posts eg on baby boomers and self-employed business owners reassures me a little though. Is what I”m doing wellness coaching? I can certainly see all aspects of wellness, including physical, being relevant to my clients judging from the interviews, although they may not see it that way at them moment! Many thanks for your blog, I find it most helpful.
Dr. Asloski, I read your 2011 post on what to look for in a wellness coach certification program. Did you ever get the opportunity to post a list of reliable organizations offering these programs? I am trying to do the research but can’t seem to find any reliable information. Can you please advise?
Hello Ana
My apologies for the terribly late reply. I’m not used to checking my comments section.
You are probably beyond the need for a reply to your question, but the one and only source you can trust is to look at the programs that have already been approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching – http://www.nbhwc.org
Be well!
Coach Michael
http://www.realbalance.com
Hi Michael,
My name is Anuj Agarwal. I’m Founder of Feedspot.
I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog Real Balance Wellness has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 100 Health Coach Blogs on the web.
http://blog.feedspot.com/health_coach_blogs/
I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world. This is the most comprehensive list of Top 100 Health Coach Blogs on the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this!
Also, you have the honor of displaying the badge on your blog.
Best,
Anuj
Hello Anuj
My apologies for the terribly late reply here. I am not used to checking my comments section on the blog. Thanks for the honor.
Let me know if you still want to connect.
Thanks,
Coach Michael
Any chance we can find this book digitally. I’m currently disabled and need text read. Nothing offered on Amazon.
Hi Dana. Sorry for the terribly late reply. I’m not in the habit of checking in the comments section.
Yes! The book is available in PDF format (which you could enlarge) through my publisher – Whole Person Associates.
Contact books@wholeperson.com. https://wholeperson.com/cgi-wholeperson/sb/productsearch.cgi?storeid=*101fd218a90764414afb
Thanks for your interest!
Coach Michael
Your posts are of great help to Health and Wellness Coaches. I can totally relate to the insights and perspectives that you share. I am starting my independent practice and thrilled to learn and grow along the client.