Learn More About Evidence-Based Coaching Modalities and Disciplines

"Everyone needs a coach, whether it’s a top-level executive, a graduate student, a homemaker, a homeless person, or the President of the United States." ~ Tony Robbins

"Great coaches help you see what you can be, not just what you are." ~ Ara Parseghian

“A great coach can lead you to places you never thought you could reach.” ~ Pat Summit

“A coach can be the guiding light that helps you find your inner strength, resilience, and determination.” ~ Serena Williams

What Are Evidence-Based Coaching Modalities and Disciplines Used by Welltality Coaching?

Here at Welltality Coaching, we aim to provide our clients with results-focused coaching outcomes. This develops from Head Coach Gabriella Testa's training and certifications in coaching, which lean upon key evidence-based coaching frameworks that lead to behavior change and tangible results in a client's health, wellness, longevity, vitality, and purpose, which highly contribute to overall life satisfaction.

Evidence-based coaching refers to practices grounded in empirical research and scientifically validated theories. These coaching modalities draw on interdisciplinary fields such as psychology, behavioral science, health, and education to create structured, measurable, and effective interventions. Below are some of the primary evidence-based coaching modalities and disciplines used by Welltality Coaching, along with their supporting research and principles.

1. Positive Psychology Coaching (PPC)

Foundations: Positive Psychology Coaching is rooted in the principles of positive psychology, which emphasizes strengths, well-being, and optimal functioning rather than focusing on deficits or problems. PPC helps clients identify and leverage their strengths, build positive emotions, and foster resilience to achieve their goals.

Core Components:

• Strengths-based coaching 
• Building positive emotions through techniques like gratitude exercises
• Cultivating resilience and well-being
• Meaning and purpose-focused coaching

Research:

• Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5-14.
  • Positive psychology interventions have been found to increase well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction.
• Grant, A. M., & Spence, G. B. (2010). Using coaching and positive psychology to promote a flourishing workforce: Insights from the literature. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice, 3(2), 109-124.
  • Positive Psychology Coaching has been shown to improve work-related well-being and job performance.

2. Motivational Interviewing (MI) in Coaching

Foundations: Motivational Interviewing is a client-centered, directive approach originally developed for behavioral change in healthcare settings, particularly in addiction. It has been adapted for coaching to help individuals resolve ambivalence and build intrinsic motivation to change behaviors.

Core Components:

• Engaging in open-ended questions to explore clients’ motivations
• Reflective listening to validate and clarify thoughts
• Eliciting "change talk" 
• Encouraging autonomy and collaboration

Research:

• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. Guilford Press.
  • MI has been widely researched and proven effective in various contexts, including health behavior change, substance abuse, and coaching for goal achievement.
• Rollnick, S., & Miller, W. R. (1995). What is motivational interviewing? Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 23(4), 325-334.
  • Studies have shown that MI increases commitment to change and enhances client motivation, making it a strong tool in coaching.

3. Solution-Focused Coaching (SFC)

Foundations: Solution-Focused Coaching stems from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). Instead of delving into problems or root causes, this approach emphasizes solutions, strengths, and the future. SFC helps clients envision their preferred future and identify steps to achieve it by building on existing strengths and successes.

Core Components:

• Future-focused questioning
• Identifying exceptions 
• Setting small, achievable goals
• Scaling questions

Research:

• Stams, G. J., Deković, M., Buist, K., & de Vries, L. (2006). Effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy: A meta-analysis. Journal of Family Therapy, 28(2), 107-118.
  • The meta-analysis concluded that solution-focused approaches have moderate to strong effects on problem-solving and client satisfaction.
• Grant, A. M., & O'Connor, S. A. (2010). The differential effects of solution-focused and problem-focused coaching questions: A pilot study with implications for practice. Industrial and Commercial Training, 42(2), 102-111.
  • Solution-focused coaching is linked to greater motivation and goal clarity than problem-focused approaches.

4. Health and Wellness Coaching

Foundations: Health and Wellness Coaching integrates principles from behavioral science, motivational interviewing, and health psychology to support clients in making lifestyle changes for better physical and mental health. It is often used in settings such as chronic disease management, stress reduction, nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being.

Core Components:

• Developing a health vision and setting specific health goals
• Behavior change strategies (e.g., habit formation)
• Self-monitoring and accountability
• Addressing barriers to lifestyle change

Research:

• Wolever, R. Q., Simmons, L. A., et al. (2013). A systematic review of health and wellness coaching literature: Defining a key behavioral intervention in healthcare. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 2(4), 38-57.
  • The review found that health coaching significantly improves physical activity, dietary habits, weight management, and health outcomes like reduced blood pressure and better glycemic control in diabetics.
• Sforzo, G. A., Kaye, M. P., et al. (2017). Compendium of the health and wellness coaching literature. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(6), 436-447.
  • The literature supports health coaching's effectiveness in promoting sustainable behavior change and improving health markers.

5. Narrative Coaching

Foundations: Narrative Coaching is based on the idea that people make sense of their lives through stories. By exploring these stories, coaches help clients rewrite narratives that limit their potential and create more empowering stories aligned with their goals and values.

Core Components:

• Exploring personal narratives (stories clients tell themselves about their lives)
• Identifying limiting beliefs and patterns in these narratives
• Re-authoring or creating new, empowering narratives
• Connecting goals with meaningful, future-oriented stories

Research:

• Drake, D. B. (2010). Narrative coaching. The International Journal of Coaching in Organizations, 8(1), 12-21.
  • Narrative coaching is shown to increase self-awareness and help clients shift their perspectives, leading to transformative change.
• White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends. W.W. Norton & Company.
  • Although originally focused on therapy, narrative approaches have been adapted for coaching and are effective in helping individuals reshape their identity and purpose.

6. Integrative or Holistic Coaching

Foundations: Integrative or Holistic Coaching blends various coaching modalities and disciplines (such as health, wellness, leadership, and life coaching) and may incorporate approaches from mindfulness, somatics (body awareness), and emotional intelligence. The focus is on the whole person, addressing physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspects of life.

Core Components:

• Holistic assessment (covering physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, work-life balance, etc.)
• Tailored interventions drawing on multiple disciplines
• Emphasis on mind-body connection and self-awareness
• Integration of mindfulness practices and stress reduction techniques

Research:

• Fava, G. A., Tomba, E., & Sonino, N. (2010). Clinimetrics: The science of clinical measurements. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 79(6), 323-329.
  • When applied in coaching, holistic approaches have been found to improve life satisfaction and health outcomes through their comprehensive scope.
• Keefer, L., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2010). Health psychology: An integrative approach. Annual Review of Psychology, 61, 427-457.
  • Integrative health coaching improves health behaviors and promotes mental well-being by addressing psychological and physical health aspects.