Frequently Asked Questions about the Health History
1. What is integrative health and wellness coaching and how is it different than a diet or therapy?
Integrative health and wellness coaching is a fully customized program created just for you. The client and counselor meet for one hour at a time scheduled in advance either on the phone or in person to discuss a curriculum of primary and secondary food. Number of sessions per month is determined at the first session and is modifiable on an ongoing basis. Client is charged monthly for services rendered. The client is asked questions and asked to set goals. The counselor serves to help the client solve problems and resolve challenges through Socratic method and recommended actions. The client and counselor work together as a team to help the client reach his or her personal goals. Nothing is considered "forbidden" in this way of eating and living. Instead, new foods are introduced and the client is given an education on the reactions of certain substances in the body such as sugar or free radicals generated from trans and polyunsaturated fats. The client is then free to make choices appropriate for his or her health goals.
2. What is Meredith's background, how did she become an integrative health and wellness coach?
Meredith holds an undergraduate degree in religion and a MS in public health administration from Harvard. She is also currently a student at Columbia University in the Nutrition Education program culminating in a Master of Science degree and eligibility for the Registered Dietitian exam. She teaches part time in the community impact program at Columbia University and is an adjunct professor at John Jay College, part of the City University of New York, in the Health Education department. She is also a triathlete and rower who discovered her own interest in health after undergoing a personal weight loss and fitness transformation while at the Harvard School of Public Health. Meredith has had several careers including prep cook, barista, bond trader, quantitative analyst, medical device marketeer and news reporter. Health counseling is her favorite!
3. Who will benefit best from one of your programs and what is expected of the client?
Meredith expects her clients to work with her as a team. My ideal client is motivated, not afraid of change and will follow my recommendations to the best of his or her abilities. I want a client who comes on time to sessions and is excited to learn about positive changes she can make to reach her optimum goals. Meredith works best with busy professionals, moms of children with ADHD, amateur athletes, and individuals who feel that conventional medicine has not addressed all their concerns and believe in the healing properties of food. I put a great deal of time and effort into customizing your program and being on time for your appointment. Please show me the same courtesy.
4. Who is not likely to benefit from your programs?
Someone not ready to make a commitment to life long change that will enable her to reach optimum health. Someone who cannot keep a commitment to an appointment or consistently arrives late to appointments. Someone who is not willing to at least learn a few tricks and simple tips to get comfortable in the kitchen at least once a week.
5. How can I guarantee to get the most of the program and reach my goals?
It's simple. Follow the steps and recommendations that Meredith sets for you. Trust the process and the gentle changes that will occur in your body. It will usually take three months for you to see a change that will be permanent and it often takes 6 months or more for new habits to form (and old ones to be broken!). My personal weight loss and wellness journey took two years and I still learn and change, every day! It is only safe to lose up to 2 pounds per week. Some people will only lose 1 pound a week safely. Some people will lose 1/2 a pound. This is ok! Trust and reward your body for reaching its optimum state of health which is not necessarily a certain number on the scale - but the weight and state of mind that feels best to you!
6. How much are the Sobel Wellness Programs?
The cost ranges from $150 for the first appointment to a few thousand dollars for platinum service fully customized programs. Program length is set by you there are no set length programs. We can meet once or for five years, it is really up to you. Programs are billed monthly or can be paid in full by cash, check or credit card. In extenuating circumstances, extended payment programs are available. Upon signing up and receipt of your first payment, you will receive your first package of goodies. There are additional program options available with cooking demonstrations and further customizations in exercise/lifestyle counseling which are available at higher pricing and can be discussed at the first session.
7. What is included in the Sobel Wellness Program?
So much is included in addition to counseling sessions. Each session involves some sort of free gift - either a food sample or a recommended book is lent. A lending library of books, email support, mp3s, DVD suggestions are also available. A resource list of books available through Amazon.com is also available and will be emailed after the assessment. Clients are also invited to monthly cooking classes.
Yes, there are bootcamp programs available that take place in one day. There are also group programs available if a group requests counseling together.