Behavioral Health Coaching

Coaching is similar to talk therapy, but instead of focusing on what is “wrong” with the person, we focus on what has, can, and will work better for you. Drawing on your natural strengths, we focus on setting achievable goals where you are in control of your health. Coaching is used for a variety of health issues including weight loss, stress reduction, the management of chronic conditions, improving diet and exercise, tobacco cessation, addiction, and adjusting to a life-altering health event. Coaching does not treat or diagnose, nor does it replace professional medical care or traditional talk therapy,  but works in harmony with these modalities to get you to a healthier place. 

Sessions are held either via video chat or over the phone. We will begin with an initial consultation to determine your main goal(s) and establish a treatment plan tailored to you. Sessions are 50 minutes long and length of the treatment program varies depending on goals. Typically programs last 12 weeks with maintenance sessions after, but can be as short as 2-3 sessions. We will work together to determine your needs. 

By using S.M.A.R.T goals, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, and adaptive thinking strategies, clients enrolled in coaching learn practical coping strategies when faced with life’s difficulties. Behavioral health coaching is an additional tool to support individuals through the mental and physical challenges of living with a chronic condition or medical diagnosis. Research has shown that those who engage in health coaching see a reduction in stress and is effective for people managing a variety of physical and mental health conditions. Recent peer reviewed studies found health coaching to improve patients health-related quality of life , including weight loss, improved blood pressure,  blood glucose levels, activity levels, nutrition habits, sleep, cholesterol, depression symptoms, and reduced hospital admissions in patients with COPD, citations below.

Anyone at various life stages can benefit from behavioral health coaching. At High Desert Behavioral Health and Wellness we specialize in supporting individuals and families with:

• Chronic illness support including: autoimmune disorders, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, CKD, heart disease, COPD, cancer recovery, and chronic pain. We do not diagnose or treat these conditions, but rather work with the diagnosis given by your medical provider and help implement their recommended treatment plan while offering unconditional support, education, resources, skills and tools to better manage, cope, and thrive, with your diagnosis. 
• Work Life Balance and Career Transitions 
• Stress Reduction 
• Caregiver Support 
• Overall Well being and Self Care 

We also can partner with other members of your health care team to offer a collaborative and holistic approach to your well being.

Gordon, N. F., Salmon, R. D., Wright, B. S., Faircloth, G. C., Reid, K. S., & Gordon, T. L. (2016). Clinical Effectiveness of Lifestyle Health Coaching: Case Study of an Evidence-Based Program. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 11(2), 153–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827615592351

Long H, Howells K, Peters S, Blakemore A. Does health coaching improve health-related quality of life and reduce hospital admissions in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Health Psychol. 2019 Sep;24(3):515-546. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12366. Epub 2019 Apr 29. PMID: 31033121; PMCID: PMC6767143.