What Education & Training is Needed to Become a Wellness Coach?
Learn how to become a certified wellness coach through the necessary education and training programs. Get to know what the day-to-day work is like, the projected job growth, and median income to determine if this career is right for you.
Career Information at a Glance
Wellness coaches work with individuals to help them develop plans to enhance their lifestyles. They collaborate with their clients during one-on-one sessions over long periods of time to guide them towards healthy decision-making habits and to help them maintain a positive attitude. In the table below, you'll find the education requirements, certification options, necessary skill set, projected job growth, and median income for a career in wellness coaching.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Education Required</b> </td><td> High school diploma or equivalent</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Training Required</b> </td><td> Certified wellness coach training programs such as Wellcoaches and the Institute for Wellness Education (IWE)</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Certification</b> </td><td> Certified Wellness Coach; additional specialty certifications available</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Required Skills</b> </td><td> Interpersonal skills, analytical skills, writing skills, problem-solving skills</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 17% (for all health educators and community health workers)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Median Income (2020)</b> </td><td> $48,140 (for all health educators and community health workers)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *US Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoesAWellnessCoachDo">What Does a Wellness Coach Do?</h3><p>Wellness coaches meet with individuals to facilitate conversations regarding one's physical and mental health. They are responsible for helping their clients develop plans that will allow them to maintain healthy lifestyles that foster positive thought and sustainable practices. Not only do wellness coaches work with individuals in the beginning stages of plan preparation, but they also schedule meetings to continuously check in with their clients in order to ensure that they are meeting their goals and to help them overcome any adversity they may face. They draw upon their knowledge of positive psychology and cognitive-behavioral-based approaches to help guide individuals towards a happier, healthier lifestyle.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTypeOfEducationAndCertificationIsRequiredToBecomeAWellnessCoach">What Type of Education and Certification Is Required to Become a Wellness Coach?</h3><p>Postsecondary education is not required; however, in order to become a certified wellness coach, an individual must undergo a wellness coach training program. The Wellcoaches Core Coach Training Program is designed to equip students with the skill set necessary to work with individuals looking to improve their lifestyles. This includes courses in science-based theory and application, such as positive psychology, goal-setting theory, and self-determination theory. The Wellcoaches certification is approved by the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaching (ICHWC). The Institute of Wellness Education (IWE) offers a similar training program to become a certified wellness coach; this curriculum is founded on a pedagogy that emphasizes evidence-based foundations, sound educational principle, self-reflective learning, and deliberate practice. The ICW training program is approved by the US Department of Labor's Wellness Coaching Program.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTypesOfSpecializedCertificationsAreAvailable">What Types of Specialized Certifications Are Available?</h3><p>After completing an initial wellness coach training program, certified coaches are able to earn more certifications within specialized fields of wellness coaching. These specializations allow an individual with the certification to work within a given industry, such as wellness coaching for businesses, schools, medical and behavioral healthcare, and within the health and fitness industry. Employers sometimes require that certified wellness coaches partake in continuing education courses in order to stay up to date with the latest news and studies related to wellness coaching. Programs that offer certification, such as Wellcoaches and the IWE, typically offer continuing education programs as well.
</p><h3 id="section---HowMuchDoWellnessCoachesMake">How Much Do Wellness Coaches Make?</h3><p>The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that all healthcare educators and community health workers earned a median annual income of $48,140 as of May 2020. Employment in this industry is projected to grow by 17% between 2020 and 2030. Schools, businesses, and healthcare organizations are all looking for ways to improve the quality of life for individuals while simultaneously reducing costs. Wellness coaches provide individuals with advice on how to live healthy, sustainable lifestyles, which may lead to less long-term medical care. Thus, the need for wellness coaches is projected to continue to grow during this ten-year period.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeSimilarProfessions">What Are Some Similar Professions?</h3><p>There are several professions that also allow individuals to promote a positive lifestyle while working with others. Substance abuse and mental health counselors are tasked with providing support with those struggling with addiction or other mental illnesses and helping them develop plans to achieve positive and healthy mindsets. Dietitians and nutritionists advise individuals on how to maintain proper eating habits or achieve health-specific goals. School and career counselors meet with individuals to guide them towards achieving their academic, personal, and professional goals and help them conduct plans to do so. These professions all allow an individual to work with others to promote health and happiness; however, all of these professions do require additional postsecondary schooling.</p>