How Long Does It Take?

The question that clients often ask is, how long will it take? In February 2022, the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine published, “Dosing of Health and Wellness Coaching for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Research Synthesis to Derive Recommendations.” Eighty-eight peer-reviewed articles were identified and session length, duration, number, and frequency were synthesized. It was found that coaching for obesity lifestyle changes was slightly longer (15 sessions over 7-8 months) than the diabetes programming (12 sessions over 9-10 months). 

Not only is this a guideline for coaches and how they structure and market their coaching programs, but it is important for individuals who are seeking coaching for behavior change. Having a realistic understanding of the length of time needed is important. The guidelines are also useful when working with integrative teams that incorporate other health personnel. Most doctors are used to prescribing a course of action for a length of time. Until now we haven’t had an evidence-based answer for health and wellness coaching. 

We have been walking in a direction that got us to where we are, wherever that is on the illness-wellness continuum, for a while. Turning around and walking in a new direction, one that course corrects us toward wellness will take time and is well worth the effort.