"Part therapist, part consultant, part motivational expert, part professional organizer, part friend, part nag —
the personal coach seeks to do for your life what a personal trainer does for your body." ~ Kim Palmer
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are you a Medical Doctor?
I am not a Medical Doctor. I do not diagnose or treat diseases, nor do I practice medicine. A Medical Doctor has the knowledge, tools, and licensure to diagnose and treat the symptoms of disease through the use of medical interventions such as prescription drugs and surgery. I, on the other hand, have the knowledge, tools, and certification to evaluate and support the healthy functioning of your body through nutrition and lifestyle. It is not my intention to treat the symptoms of disease, but instead to help clients reach optimum health and happiness before the need for medical intervention even arises. Of course, my work is not intended to take the place of conventional medical care and if you have serious health concerns, you should seek consultation with your Medical Doctor. However, I can and would be happy to assist you in working with your doctor on your road to wellness.
Are you a Nutritionist?
I am not a Nutritionist, nor am I a Dietitian. I am a professional in the field of health and nutrition and a Certified Holistic Health Coach. Because I chose not to be trained or practice my craft through the conventional and highly flawed USDA model of nutrition and guidelines set forth by the American Dietetic Association, I do not call myself a "Nutritionist". It is my educated opinion that the ADA (American Dietetic Association) is a special interest group, based on the fact that they receive millions of dollars a year in funding from agricultural organizations and corporations that manufacture food and food additives. Therefore, I will not use or seek a professional title that is regulated by such an organization. In the words of Dr. Pamela Popper, a well known nutrition professional with two PhDs who vigorously fought the ADA on their shady practices in food policy and putting qualified professionals out of business for not belonging to the ADA, "You can't take $50,000 a year from the sugar association and then say bad things about sugar. This organization controls the educational programming and registration of the thousands of dietitians in the US. It is my personal opinion that the influence of industry on the practice of dietitians is one of the reasons why nutrition in institutions such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes continues to be abominable."
Why the 6 Month Program?
I work with clients in a 6 month program because studies have shown that 6 months is the appropriate amount of time needed to create and maintain lasting habits. Supporting you for a full 6 months strongly increases the likelihood that you will maintain the improvements that you make while working with me long after our program is completed. If you need ongoing support after the initial six months, I am happy to offer you sessions on an "as needed" basis, or in a maintenance program of 2-3 months or longer if desired.
Where are Health Coaching sessions held?
Sessions can be held in a number of varied places and in different ways. In-person sessions can take place in an office, home, library, community center, park, coffee shop, hotel lobby, or other public place that offers a quiet area for talking privately. Busy people or those who are not in close proximity to my professional area may choose to conduct their sessions over the telephone in the privacy of their home. In fact, many people prefer this method. I am happy to offer various options in order to accommodate different lifestyle and scheduling needs.
If you have other questions, please feel free to contact me.
