What is Wellness? The Balanced Life Magazine June 2003
Many people ask me what a Wellness Counsellor does. Wellness can be defined in general terms as achieving balance in one's emotional, mental, physical and spiritual life.
Achieving wellness is an incredibly flexible process that bends to meet an individual's personal needs and concerns. To illustrate this we will look at three possible clients: Maggie, Kim and Phil.
Maggie is a 42-year-old housewife. Maggie's life revolves around her two children, who have recently taken to spending more time with their peers. Maggie feels depressed and restless, and has noticed she has put on a lot of unwanted weight. She spends most evenings watching television with her husband, with whom she feels quite distant.
Kim is a 31-year-old lawyer. She is very successful in her career. Kim is physically fit and her social calender is overloaded. Although she has many friends and dates frequently, she feels lonely and realizes she has no one she can really confide in because everyone assumes she has the 'perfect life'. She hasn't had a boyfriend in over two years.
Phil is a 54-year-old entrepreneur. Phil maintains that he had been living an extremely balanced and happy life. He had achieved financial success and raised a happy, healthy extended family. He describes himself as spiritually based and has regularly attended his church. A year ago Phil suffered a heart attack. Although his family has been supportive, they are busy with their own lives and Phil has begun to feel like a burden. Phil struggles with his new diet and exercise regime, and questions his religion.
A qualified wellness counsellor is trained to provide detailed assessments and assist clients to develop individualized wellness plans. Maggie, for example, may find herself beginning an exercise program, expanding her social network, and developing some personal interests that are not directly related to her children. Kim's mental and physical quadrants are already quite well developed. She might complete a 'needs assessment and beliefs inventory', or perhaps decide to complete a 'family of origin assessment' to uncover the roots of her difficulty connecting deeply with people. Phil may need assistance reevaluating and deepening his spiritual direction, and identifying his beliefs around his role in the family. He may also need coaching on his diet and exercise regime.
Three people, three different roads to wellness. A qualified wellness counsellor can help you achieve excellence in your life.
