Health Coaching
Health Coaching
Health Coaching serves as an active health promotion strategy to positively influence
behavior change. Health Coaching benefits students with a wide variety of health concerns
associated with overall wellness.
During this service, students will meet with a trained and certified professional
staff member from the Center for Student Well-Being (SWELL) in a safe and welcoming
environment. Students can openly discuss their concerns, identify areas of priority
in creating a healthy lifestyle, and work towards attainable goals. Students being
coached are directly involved in shaping goals, as well as determining the steps needed
to achieve the desired outcome for a particular health behavior.
Areas of focus include:
- Stress Management
- Disease Management
- Sexual Health
- Substances
- Sleep Habits
- Body Image
- Life Transitions
- Social Connections
- Creating a Healthy Routine
what to expect from health coaching sessions:
First Session 鈥� The first session will consist of an initial intake and introduction to the coaching process. Students will work with their coach to identify priority areas and spaces for growth. Students will focus on identifying strategies and tools to begin this process. The first session will last 60 minutes.
Follow-up Sessions 鈥� Students may schedule follow-up sessions as needed with a Health Coach. At least one follow-up session will be scheduled ranging from 30 minutes to 60 minutes.
Throughout the coaching process, students can expect:
- A foundation to be set between the Coach and the student, establishing a set of coaching agreements.
- The student and Coach co-creating the coaching relationship, establishing trust, and understanding.
- Effective communication through active listening, question asking, and directly conveying expectations.
- A path to be created setting the stage to plan and set goals, outline action steps and strategies, monitor progress towards goals and accountability.
Difference Between Coaching and Therapy:
Both coaching and counseling can be incredibly valuable for students. If the student
you are working with is experiencing a mental health concern, please connect them
with the USF Counseling Center at 813-974-2831. If your student is looking for support
in one of our areas of focus above, Health Coaching could be a great fit for them.
The chart below provides a distinction between health coaching and therapy.
| Health Coaching | Therapy |
|---|---|
| Focus and work is on the present and future | Focus and work is on the past |
| Focus on the how | Focus on the why |
| Focus on clarifying goals, identify obstacles, and create action plans | Focus on past reflection and therapeutic treatment |
| Focus on process-oriented items towards results | Focus on feelings and events and better understanding them |
| Focus on solving the problem | Focus on introspection and the root of the problem |
| Focus on mindset and meeting goals | Focus on addressing mental health concerns through recovery and healing |
Will information shared by students remain confidential?
All information shared by students will remain confidential unless action is needed to protect the student or others from harm.
Referral Process:
Please refer the student to Jennifer DiPrete, Senior Director of the Center for Student Well-Being, at jennifer87@usf.edu. She will connect the student with the appropriate Health Coach to schedule an appointment.