Common questions about working with me

These are some common questions about what a Fibromyalgia Coach is and what it’s like working with me. If you these FAQs don’t answer your questions, please feel free to contact me or schedule a time for us chat so that I can answer your specific questions.

What is a Fibromyalgia Coach?
What is a Health Coach? How is that different than a Registered Dietitian (RD)?
How will you and I communicate?
How long and how often will our coaching sessions be?
What will you and I talk about during our coaching time?
What about food? Is there a specific program that you recommend?
How much does it cost for you to be my coach?
Do you take insurance? How about my HSA or Flex Spending Visa?
Do you have a guarantee and/or contract?

What is a Fibromyalgia Coach?

I’m a Certified Health Coach, who specializes in helping women with fibromyalgia. In fact, I not only specialize in it, it’s my entire focus. You see, I have fibromyalgia too. I also help women with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) because it has such an overlap with fibromyalgia.

I do all the things a Health Coach would do, but customized for the needs of those with fibromyalgia and CFS. (Read How I Can Help You.)

What is a Health Coach? How is that different than a Registered Dietitian (RD)? Or my doctor?

As a Health Coach, I’m more of a “wellness authority and mentor” and will coach you on anything related to your overall health. For example, you and I will be looking at: sleep, stress, emotions, diet, exercise, alternative therapies, coping strategies, goal setting, medications, supplements, etc.

RDs have a more scientific and nutritional focus. They will analyze your dietary intake and work with you in a doctor’s office setting. Having a healthy diet is very important; however, when you’re trying to recover from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Plus, you may only see them once a month.

As you know, working with your doctor can be tough. They may only have time for short appointments and you can’t call or email them if you have questions between appointments. My whole job is to be available for YOU.

Here is a fabulous article that explains the times when working with a Health Coach might be better than working with your doctor.

You can also check out this Wikipedia article on Health Coaching for a more detailed answer, including how health coaching was born.

How will you and I communicate?

Your weekly coaching appointment will be done over the phone. This allows us to meet no matter where you are or what your energy level may be like that day. (This also means that you and I can stay in our jammies and still get work done! *grin*)

Between appointments, I can also coach you by email and text message. You can even find me on Twitter and Facebook! In other words, you get to help decide how we should communicate.

How long and how often will our coaching sessions be?

I try to keep our coaching sessions short — no more than 15-30 minutes. I find that much more than that and overwhelm can kick in! I also want to teach you to manage your energy effectively. When you need it, we can do quick check-ins that take just five minutes or problem-solving sessions that may take longer. You and I will set your coaching schedule based on your individual needs, whether it’s once a week or every day.

What will you and I talk about during our coaching time?

In our coaching sessions, we look at your current habits, then focus on setting goals to incorporate healthy habits into your daily life. Often, I will suggest Dr. Wayne Scott Anderson’s books to give our coaching time some structure. Together, you and I will decide what we will focus on.

In our coaching sessions, we will also talk through any challenges that have come up since our last time together. In addition to the normal health goals you might think of, I’ve also been known to provide accountability for things like scheduling doctor appointments and going to bed on time!

You will always leave your coaching session with one or two items to work on until we talk again. This gives you focus and helps you build lasting results.

What about food? Is there a specific program that you recommend?

Most folks with CFS and fibromyalgia do best on a high-protein/low-carb diet. This doesn’t have to be as hard as it sounds! There are many different options, depending on what you need; you and I will work together to choose the best plan for you, your tastes and your lifestyle. Find out more about the program I recommend, which can be tailored to your needs. This is also the program that changed my life.

How much does it cost for you to be my coach?

Depending on how you choose to work with me, it could cost you absolutely nothing. If you choose to go on the nutritional program I recommend, the compensation I will receive is from Take Shape For Life®, not from you. So, let me make sure I’m clear: my coaching to you could be free! See the Individual Coaching section on How We’ll Work Together for complete details.

Do you take insurance? How about my HSA or Flex Spending Visa?

I can’t take insurance, but it MAY be possible for you to use your Health Care Spending Account. Each account is different on what they allow, so you’ll need to do some checking on your end.

If you HSA would cover you working with me, here’s the steps to take:

1. First, you’ll need to have your doctor write you a “prescription” saying that working with a Fibromyalgia Coach would be helpful. (If your doctor wants to chat with me about what I do, just have him or her contact me.)
2. Then you would pay me and I would provide you with a receipt. Unfortunately, I cannot bill your HSA Visa directly. (Their rules, not mine.)
3. You would submit that receipt to your HSA or FSA for reimbursement.

Do you have other questions?

Contact me directly; I’d love to answer your questions! If you have an in-depth question, however, I do suggest scheduling a time for us to chat (at no charge!) so that I have time to fully address your question.