Privacy Policy
The health coaching relationship, including all the information that the client shares with the coach as part of this relationship, is currently not bound by HIPAA. However, as a matter of best practice, we believe in operating as if we were:
Any information provided electronically by clients (forms, emails, etc.) is secured by encryption.
No identifiable client information (such as testimonials or before/after pictures) is shared by the coach without the express written consent of the client.
For anonymous information (for example, sharing a client's social media post without sharing their name), consent will be obtained at the discretion of the coach.
Health coaches use the information provided by clients (forms, verbal information, emails, etc.) to personalize educational content for that client. We do not share any information with third parties.
If this ever changes, we will let clients know via email.
Payment
Our payment processor is Stripe.
Here is their privacy policy.
Cookies
Describe.health staff think cookies are gross; we don't use digital or dessert cookies 'round these parts. However, our web host, Google Sites, tracks our website visitors per their norm. They also host our email, forms, drive, and documents. It's safe to assume that they know a disturbing amount of information about everyone.
Terms and Conditions
The information provided on this website, during coaching sessions, and on social media is for informational purposes only; it is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before undertaking a new health regimen, and do not disregard medical advice or delay seeking medical advice because of information from us.
Copyright
Our content is, well, ours. Don't steal.
If you share one of our videos, memes, or other content, don't remove our logo or otherwise modify it.
Affiliates
We only recommend products that we use ourselves and believe in. Product recommendations are not paid sponsorships unless otherwise noted, and we'll make it obvious when they are.
Disclaimer
What we do:
provide individualized coaching, educational materials, support, and accountability in order to optimize their health
What we do not do:
Provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
Replace your doctor
Replace your therapist
Scope of Practice
Health Coaches have a complimentary role to medical providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, PAs), who ultimately have the authority to diagnose disease and prescribe medications. Health Coaches can provide information regarding nutrition, but cannot prescribe a specific meal plan. To clarify the difference, "diet" is a general way of eating, while a "meal plan" is eat-this-at-this-time direction.
Registered Dieticians can prescribe a specific meal plan; they share this authority with physicians.
Registered Nurses have a wider Scope of Practice than Health Coaches and have additional oversight that varies state by state.
FAQ
Is this going to be easy?
A better question: will not changing be easier?
Many health problems are overwhelmingly complex, but their solution can be incredibly simple. Simple, however, doesn't mean easy.
If you don't start down a new path now, how easy will being in your shoes feel five years from now? Being diabetic isn't easy. Having chronic pain isn't easy. Mental illness isn't easy. Insomnia isn't easy. Change is hard, but not changing is worse!
I want to get off my SSRI. Can you help?
Yes, we can help, BUT our services are a complement to those of your prescriber who alone has the authority to change your prescriptions. Here's how we help:
The journey to being on as few medications as possible (including possibly no meds) can take a long time; this process varies greatly and can even take years. As health coaches, we don't want a relationship that lasts years - our program is designed to foster your autonomy. We believe there is a universal foundation to wellness too often ignored by the current medical establishment, and that is where we start; often, clients will have only just begun their taper before the end of their coaching. Why? Because you need to set your foundation before you can progress to deprescribing, and tapers can take a long time.
If your starting point is the Standard American Diet (SAD), the metabolic changes your body needs to make take time; these metabolic changes will impact every area of your health, including mental health.
Never let anyone tell you that it isn't a good goal to reduce or eliminate medications. That is always a goal worth striving for.
My doctor says you are spreading dangerous misinformation.
If you have a provider who is themselves the picture of health and your life is steadily improving under their care, your probably don't need a health coach.
If you have been following the recommendations of the medical establishment for years and don't feel like you are moving in the right direction, you will fit right in with our community: people who have had their lives drastically improve after making lifestyle changes that make some doctors raise their eyebrows. We believe that with our help you will not only be able to tell your doctor how much better you feel, but will also show undeniable, objective improvements in your health (such as weight, A1C, blood pressure, etc.). Individual results will vary (of course).
Who is NOT a good fit for your coaching?
If you hope to maintain a plant-based diet, this is not the right program for you.
If you are not ready to change what you eat, this is not the right program for you.
If you are not ready to change how you move, this is not the right program for you. The good news is that our exercise advice is probably a lot more manageable than you might expect; it can reasonably be done by anybody, even from a sedentary starting point, even with minimal time available, even without a gym membership or equipment.