How a Live, Virtual Coach Can Help You Achieve Your Well-Being Goals

What Is Well-Being Coaching?

Just like a sports coach motivates their team to develop skills to overcome obstacles on their path to victory, well‑being coaches help their clients discover what’s most important to them, get clarity about their goals, and identify and develop the tools to overcome difficulties that block them from living their best lives.

“People often seek coaching for common challenges like burnout, anxiety reduction, stress management, resilience-building, strengthening relationships in and outside work, and so much more,” says Marina Borukhovich, CEO and co-founder of YourCoach, a best-in-class health and well‑being coaching service (and partner of Twill).

A well‑being coach can support you in understanding and achieving your goals, brainstorm sustainable behavior changes you can make to help reach them, and identify and overcome obstacles along the way.

How Is Coaching Different from Therapy?

Both well‑being coaching and therapy are valuable tools for addressing mental health concerns, but there are a few key differences. Therapists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders.

“Therapy focuses on psychological and emotional challenges that are often linked to past experiences, aiming to heal and reframe thought patterns,” says Borukhovich. Therapy helps people connect events and relationship patterns from the past with their situation in the present.

Coaches use evidence-based methods to reinforce the health and well‑being goals their clients have set for themselves. “Health coaching is non-clinical and helps individuals identify and achieve their health and well‑being goals,” explains Borukhovich. “While therapy provides deep internal healing, health coaching supports practical steps for lifestyle improvement making both coaching and therapy powerful resources to use individually or collaboratively."

What Are the Benefits of Live, Virtual Video Coaching?

Although coaching can be done in person or over the phone, studies suggest that coaching sessions carried out via videoconferencing can have a positive effect on mental health outcomes.

When you sign up for video coaching, you’re able to:

• Schedule sessions at convenient times.
• Take less time out of your day than in-person visits.
• Find a coach that suits your needs without worrying about location.
• Choose between real-time video, audio, or chat-only sessions allowing you to connect in the way that is most comfortable for you.
• Connect with your coach from the comfort of your safe space.

“Through coaching, we empower individuals to achieve their well‑being goals through supplemental mental health support and lifestyle modification techniques,” says Borukhovich. “Video coaching is a key component, allowing clients to connect with certified health coaches for personalized support in real time.”

What Does a Typical Coaching Session Look Like?

The first step is establishing with your coach what goals you want to work toward. From there, each coaching session is tailored to your needs.

Your coach will work out a schedule for how often you’ll meet. This can vary depending on:

• The types of issues you’re working on
• The time frame you may be working toward
• Your company’s benefit plan
• Your availability and that of your coach

Each session may last anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour. YourCoach, for example, offers monthly, live 30-minute sessions via video, voice notes, or live chat. “During these sessions, the health coach will actively listen to your concerns, goals, and challenges, creating a safe space for open expression,” says Ashlee Honeycutt, Director of Health Coaching Operations at YourCoach and a coach herself. “Together, you’ll identify specific and meaningful health and well‑being goals, breaking them down into manageable steps.”

Between sessions, some coaches may monitor your progress or make themselves available for check-ins. For example, YourCoach offers unlimited text chats in between sessions and coaches check-in to provide support in overcoming obstacles and celebrate successes. "A coaching program may span several weeks or more than a year," Borukhovich says. "Our coaches are here for clients as long as they need coaching."

As you develop your relationship with your coach, check in with yourself on how it’s going. “An exceptional coach acts as a goal catalyst, working alongside the client to ignite their potential,” Honeycutt says. “They ask insightful questions that spark self-discovery and guide them toward a clear vision of their well‑being.” With their support and guidance, you’ll feel more empowered to take action and achieve lasting positive change.

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