Wellness Coaching

What is a wellness coach?

A wellness coach works with students to help them feel their best, but they are not a therapist. Think of them as a friendly guide who doesn’t judge and is here to support you. They believe you know your own life best and assist you in setting and reaching goals that are important to you.

Our trained wellness coaches come from different backgrounds. A list of our coaches is at the bottom of this page. They include Wolverine Wellness staff, graduate students, and other university staff.

When you have a session with a wellness coach, here’s what you can expect:

Exploring your vision, values, and what motivates you to make changes.
Learning new skills and strategies to balance your well-being, such as time management, mindfulness, staying active, and having tough conversations.
Setting and achieving your goals.

If you have an emergency and need help quickly, go to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) during the week or call 734-764-8312 (press 0) after hours to talk to someone immediately.

How to schedule your first session

1. Review types of coaching

Alcohol and other drugs

Explore your use of alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs in a non-judgmental environment. Decide what, if any, changes to use you'd like to make.

Typically two sessions, 2 – 4 weeks apart
The first session is 90 minutes and the second session is 60 minutes
Additional sessions are available on request
Can be required by OSCR or a court
We encourage self-referrals

Nicotine cessation

Discuss strategies for quitting nicotine products. Suitable for anyone who is vaping, smoking, or using smokeless tobacco products. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is free for students who participate in coaching.

Vape deposit bins are available to dispose of e-cigarettes, disposable vapes, and vape pods. Good for those in coaching to quit, and good for the planet!

Eating and body image

Wellness coaching from a Health At Every Size perspective provides a non-judgmental space for clients to explore how to take care of their holistic well-being without focusing on weight or weight loss. Our coaching sessions are structured to cover the following content:

Session 1 – Eating and body image exploration through discussion and exercise(s). Discuss intake assessments as necessary.
Session 2 – Examine diet culture and the dominant narrative surrounding bodies and eating. Use avenues like body appreciation, media literacy, and broadening the conception of beauty to challenge unhelpful beliefs and behaviors.
Session 3 – Investigate the 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating.
Session 4 – Next steps, which can include long-term goal discussion, referrals, and connection to community resources.

General wellness coaching

Discuss anything on your mind that is impacting your well-being. Some examples include:

Adjustment to life on campus
Academic concerns, time management, impostorism, perfectionism
Stress, low motivation, sleep, physical activity
Family, personal/intimate relationship, sexual health

Wellness coaches typically see students in general wellness coaching 2-5 times.

Group coaching

We have regular, rotating groups throughout the year. Check back for current offerings!

2. Complete our intake forms

Please note: we can only accept your uniqname@umich.edu address.

3. Look at the class calendar or wait for the "Next Steps Wellness Coaching Meeting Registration" email from U-M Wellness Coaching

Select a time and location that works best for you. We offer Zoom and in-person meetings.

If you are out of the country and your time zone does not align with our calendar, please email WellnessCoachingQs@umich.edu and include your availability and time zone.

Plan for your first session

Allow enough time. Take note of the length of time for each type of session. Most first sessions will be 60 minutes except for the first Alcohol and Other Drug sessions, which are 90 minutes.
Know where and how you’re meeting your coach. You will receive a calendar invite for the date, time, and location of your wellness coaching meeting at the time of registration in your confirmation email. If you’re meeting in person, ensure you know how to get to our office – Wolverine Wellness is located on the ground floor of University Health Service (207 Fletcher St.) – or another location, depending on your coach.

Accessibility needs

Please email your coach before your first appointment if you require any accommodations for a successful and comfortable coaching session. Your coach's email is included in your appointment confirmation email. Accommodations can include, but are not limited to:

Using clear masks for lip reading.
Finding the right the correct entrances for wheelchairs or mobility concerns.
Using the chat feature to converse with your coach on Zoom rather than speaking.

Wellness doesn’t have to wait until your coaching appointment!

You might consider using these tools while waiting for your first appointment:

Visit the Well-being Collective to search for other U-M campus wellness resources.
Join Wolverine Support Network peer-led groups for grads and undergrads.

Questions or concerns?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your wellness coaching appointment, please contact your coach directly using the email address provided in your session registration confirmation email. You may also log in to your portal to cancel your session and select a new day and time that works for you.

Access the student portal here: https://umich.impactfeedback.com. Click the UMICH login button to log in with your student credentials.

For all other inquiries:

Email: WellnessCoachingQs@umich.edu
Phone: 734-763-1320

Wellness coaching is not

Therapy

We do not help with the treatment of clinical depression or anxiety, unpacking family history, eating disorders, managing bipolar disorders, or other complex mental health issues. Alternatives to consider include:

U-M Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides free counseling for individual students and couples.
U-M Psychological Clinic provides therapy for individuals and couples and group therapy. There are fees, and insurance may help pay.
Therapists in the Ann Arbor community — see Community Provider Database for local therapists or use psychologytoday.com and filter by insurance and specific needs. In complicated cases, contact UHS Clinical Social Workers for referrals.

Nutrition counseling and meal planning

Students can visit the UHS Registered Dietician Nutritionist. Call 734-764-8320 to schedule an appointment.

HIV/STI testing and counseling

HIV/STI testing is available at Wolverine Wellness. Appointments are required (same-day appointments are not available). Make an appointment online or call 734-763-1320.