Wellness Coaching @ Columbia Health

Last reviewed: 8/5/2024

Wellness Coaching is an evidence-based practice that takes a positive approach to personal development. It centers individual strengths, values, and motivations to support behavior change(s). Columbia Health currently offers both Wellness Coaching and Group Wellness Coaching.  

Wellness Coaching partners you with a certified Well-being Advocate to co-create your wellness plan. You can meet with your Well-being Advocate as many times as you need to celebrate wins, troubleshoot challenges, and stay on track with your plan.  

Wellness Coaching sessions are confidential and HIPAA-compliant. All sessions are offered virtually, unless otherwise requested. 

What makes Wellness Coaching different from therapy?

Wellness Coaching is a person-centered approach that encourages students to take charge of their health and well-being. Together with your coach, you will lay out a vision of what living well means to you and co-create a plan to help make that vision a sustainable reality. Although it's important to acknowledge one’s lived experiences in Wellness Coaching, it's not a space to process deep emotions, trauma, or receive a mental health diagnosis. 

Eligibility 

Wellness Coaching @ Columbia Health is available to any currently enrolled Columbia University student at the Morningside/Manhattanville campuses.  

How Wellness Coaching Works 

Step 1: Foundation Session – up to 90 minutes 

You’ll work with an advocate to clarify where you are at with your health and well-being right now. Together you and an advocate will: 

  • form a clear picture of the kind of life you want to live, your healthiest life possible for you 
  • compare where you’re at and where you want to be  
  • form a solid well-life plan to help you get there 

Step 2: Follow-up Session(s) – up to 60 minutes 

You’ll work with your advocate as an ally to help you:  

  • follow through on the steps you determine to help you achieve the goals in your plan 
  • find and develop sources of support that will make your changes last 
  • evaluate progress and adjust the course along the way 
  • be accountable to yourself 

There is currently no cap on the number of follow-up sessions.  

Curious about Wellness Coaching, but not sure if it is the right fit for you?  

Attend Alice! Virtual Drop-in Hours to connect with a specialist who can assist you in identifying what service is the best fit for your specific needs. 

Get Started with Wellness Coaching 

Complete the Wellness Coaching Intake Form. After submitting the intake form, you will receive a follow-up email with a link to schedule an appointment with a Well-being Advocate.  

About the Well-being Advocates 

Wellness Coaching @ Columbia Health is provided by a team of Well-being Advocates comprising graduate students from various Columbia University schools on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses and are members of the Alice! Health Promotion team. Advocates are Certified Wellness & Health Coaches through Real Balance, a global wellness coaching training organization recognized by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).  

Advocates are trained and closely supervised by professional Alice! Health Promotion staff who are also National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coaches. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Wellness Coaching: 

You meet one-on-one (individually) with a Well-being Advocate to explore, strategize, and plan out your health and well-being goals. You can schedule coaching sessions at a time that is convenient for you and there currently is no session cap.   

Group Wellness Coaching: 

Small groups of students who have similar experiences and goals meet with a Certified Coach. These groups foster peer support and social connectedness as each member works towards their own health and well-being goals. Groups meet for 6 to 8 sessions over a semester on a set schedule.  

Students who start with Group Wellness Coaching may continue getting support in Wellness Coaching after the group sessions are complete. Students should talk to your group Coach about available options for one-on-one coaching.  

Students participating in Wellness Coaching should talk with their Well-being Advocate to determine if joining a group is right for them.  

Yes! We are happy to accept this request and will do our best to accommodate. Please send an email with your request to [email protected] after completing the intake. 

Wellness Coaching is free or charge and is available to any Morningside/Manhattanville student with a valid UNI. There is no payment, health fee, or insurance needed. 

All wellness coaching sessions default to virtual and are held on Zoom. If you would like to request in-person coaching at John Jay, please email [email protected]. All Well-being Advocates work remotely, and due to limited office space, we can't guarantee we can accommodate the request.