TO: School of Medicine PhD Students
FROM: Beth Sullivan, PhD, Associate Dean for Research Training & Jessica Rowland, Director, Office of Biomedical Graduate Education (OBGE)
OBGE is excited to announce availability of Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching for biomedical PhD students in the School of Medicine. We are piloting this initiative in collaboration with the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology (MGM) and invite trainees from across programs to participate. The hope is that feedback from this pilot will frame the development of future Trainee Well-being support resources offered by OBGE.
Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching is not just about one’s physical well-being, it is about the whole person: their values, goals, work, balance, fulfillment, and life purpose. Any concern that gets in the way of achieving optimal health and well-being is the perfect subject for beginning coaching (for example: stress, exercise, rest, communication, relationships, physical space, professional development). Health and wellness coaching effectively motivates and supports behavior change through a structured partnership between the client and coach. The coach helps the individual develop and realize their optimal health vision through inquiry, personal discovery, and accountability. Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching is not professional counseling or psychotherapy.
Expected outcomes of a coaching session include:
- Clear understanding of your goals and values
- Motivation to support behavior change
- Strategies for moving toward your goals
Kristin Thole, Program Administrator for the MGM graduate program, is a Duke-trained Integrative Health Coach working toward professional certification within Duke Integrative Medicine. Interested individuals may schedule a coaching session with Kristin at the link below. The calendar is protected so that only Kristin can view client identity, and everything discussed in the coaching session is kept confidential. Please plan on a 30-45 minute session; follow-up appointments can be arranged after the initial meeting. There is no obligation to schedule subsequent coaching sessions.
Sign up for an Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching session here: https://calendly.com/dukesomphd-wellnesscoach
Once you have registered, you will receive a pre-session survey link and worksheet to help you prepare for your coaching session. Please contact Kristin Thole directly with any questions: kristin.thole@duke.edu