Wellness Coaching - What's it all about?

1 – Let’s Start by Defining Coaching

The word “coach” originally comes from the 1800s term “stagecoach”—a horse-drawn vehicle that helped people get from A to B. That’s a fitting metaphor: modern coaching is also a vehicle for change, helping people clarify their goals and supporting them to move towards where they want to be.

The term “coach” was first used academically, referring to someone who helped Oxford students prepare for exams. Later, it took root in sports—rowing, football, and beyond—and by the 1980s, it had entered the business world. From there, coaching has expanded into many areas of life: leadership, parenting, relationships, and of course, wellness.

Unlike medicine or law, coaching in the UK is not a regulated profession. Anyone can call themselves a coach, just as anyone can call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist. However, there are professional bodies that set high standards. I trained with an organisation accredited by the Association for Coaching, one of the UK’s most respected bodies. Accreditation means I work under a code of ethics, commit to continual professional development, and hold appropriate insurance.

There is no single definition of “coaching,” so what follows is a description of the type of coaching I offer—and how it compares to other helping professions.

2 – The Coaching I Offer

My work focuses on wellness, resilience, and wellbeing. Where a sports coach might focus on physical performance, my focus is on helping clients explore their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

This might include:

• Building resilience to stress and burnout

• Reconnecting with core values and purpose

• Developing emotional literacy and body awareness

• Creating healthier relationships

• Navigating periods of transition, illness, or inner change

I work client-led—not as an expert telling you what to do, but as a facilitator helping you reconnect with your own inner knowing. Through presence, curiosity, and open-ended questioning, I support you in uncovering your own solutions. My role is to hold space, offer structure, and help you move forward in alignment with your values.

3 – How This Differs from Counselling

There’s definitely overlap between wellness coaching and counselling—both involve listening, reflection, and emotional exploration. But there are key differences too:

• Purpose: Counselling is a form of therapy, typically used to help someone recover from emotional or mental illness. Wellness coaching is not a treatment—it’s a forward-looking process that supports growth, balance, and self-discovery.

• Focus: Coaching is usually goal-oriented and future-focused. Counselling may involve deeper exploration of the past and underlying emotional wounds.

• Role: A counsellor may offer advice or interpretation. A coach does not give advice—we work on the belief that you are the expert in your own life.

• Training: Counsellors train specifically to support mental health recovery. Coaches train in supporting clients through change, motivation, and wellbeing practices.

Some tools may overlap—like mindfulness, body awareness, or elements of Cognitive Behavioural Coaching (CBC). But the intention and context are different.

Ultimately, the client chooses the approach—and the person—that feels right for them.

4 – Regulation in the UK: Coaching vs Counselling vs Psychology

Coaching, counselling, and psychotherapy are not statutorily regulated in the UK. This means anyone can use these titles, even without formal qualifications. However, many professionals (myself included) choose to work within voluntary accreditation systems to ensure quality and ethics.

Voluntary Accrediting Bodies:

• Coaching: Association for Coaching (AC), International Coach Federation (ICF), European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)

• Counselling/Psychotherapy: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

To work professionally and obtain valid insurance, most practitioners must hold a recognised qualification and operate within ethical frameworks. Protected and regulated titles include:

• Psychologist (Clinical, Health, Counselling, etc.) – must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) [The term "psychologist" itself is not a protected title, but specific (practitioner) roles are]

• Psychiatrist – a medical doctor specialised in mental health, regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC)

Final Thoughts

If you're considering working with a coach, it's worth checking:

• What training they’ve done

• Whether they’re accredited

• How they describe their approach

• Whether it feels like a good fit for your needs

Ultimately, coaching is a collaborative partnership designed to support your unique journey. In wellness coaching, that means reconnecting you with your vitality, values, and inner resources—so you can live with more balance, clarity and resilience.