Wellbeing Coaching - Office of Wellbeing

Wellbeing Coaching is a free service through the Office of Wellbeing that is available for students, faculty, and staff on the Reynolda campus.

What is Wellbeing Coaching?

Wellbeing Coaching is an evidence-based practice designed to help you reach your personal health and wellbeing goals. Health and wellbeing coaching is structured around the changes that you want to make in your life when you are ready to make them – you are empowered through this process to identify the life you want to be living and are not told by a coach what your life “should” look like. Certified health coaches meet one on one with you to provide support and accountability to reach your health and wellbeing goals over a period of weeks together. Coaches apply strategies and practical skills as they partner with you to work through lifestyle challenges and to help you reach a quality of life that is meaningful, self-sustaining, healthy, and value-driven. If you’re ready to make healthy, goal-directed changes in your life – Wellbeing Coaching is for you!

What types of goals can a Wellbeing Coach offer support?

Goal Setting
Stress Management
Resiliency
Time Management
Sleep Hygiene
Chronic Disease Management
Self Care
Lifestyle Management

Fall Program Structure

Traditional Coaching

The Office of Wellbeing is offering fall sessions for wellbeing coaching starting in early September. Clients will meet with their coach for an initial session, and then bi-weekly for the next ten weeks, for a total of 5-7 sessions. Sessions will be scheduled directly with the coach and there is some flexibility to accommodate skipping a week or moving a session, if needed. Sessions will be 45-60 minutes long and will take place via video chat or telephone.

Open enrollment for traditional coaching has closed for the semester. If you are interested in enrolling, please schedule a drop-in appointment below to get started. At your session, just let your coach know that you would like to continue meeting for the remainder of the semester and they will work with you to set up a schedule.

Drop-In Coaching

Additionally, we will be offering drop-in hours Monday-Friday for students to find out more about what coaching has to offer, to talk through making a decision, set up a daily schedule, or to discuss other short-term goals. Drop-in coaching offers the opportunity to see what coaching is like as you look at situations from all angles and get a different perspective, without a longer-term commitment. You can choose to move to traditional coaching after a drop-in session, but it is not required.

Schedule A Drop-In Appointment

Drop-In Coaching Schedule

Mondays	9am – 10am and 1pm – 3pm	Karin Reese
Tuesdays	4pm – 6pm	Karin Reese
Wednesdays	9am – 11am	Karin Reese
Thursdays	10am – 12pm	Karin Reese
Fridays	11am – 1pm	Brenda Smith

Meet our Wellbeing Coaches

Ashley Hawkins Parham, MA ('12), CHWC

Ashley is a dedicated ally to those who decide that it’s time for a change and are ready to take steps towards becoming a healthier, happier and more holistically well you. What’s amazing about the coaching experience is the opportunity to engage in self-exploration and growth through a relationship that gives you support and holds you accountable for the changes you want to see in your life. Whether you come to coaching with a specific goal in mind or with a vague sense that it’s time for a change, Ashley is here to meet you exactly where you are on your path and then move forward together towards a healthier and happier you.

Ashley’s journey towards Wellbeing Coaching began early in college, where she fell in love with the study of psychology – specifically, with understanding how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors develop and how they can change over time.

Ashley dedicated time as a student and professional over the last 15 years to understanding the science of behavior change and motivation, addiction, risky health behaviors in college students, personality and personality change, character development, post-traumatic growth, mindfulness and meditation, the mind-body connection, and resilience.

As a certified Health and Wellness Coach, Ashley first gets to know your experience and goals for change. In combination with her expansive background knowledge around the human condition and how to change our behaviors – you’ll work together to develop the steps needed to reach your unique health and wellness goals.
Brenda Smith, BS, CHWC

Brenda began her journey in the health and wellness industry by starting as a fitness trainer after graduating college. Her passion grew and continued to expand from this experience. After 28 years of corporate experience, Brenda decided to pursue her passion to fully dedicate her skills to fitness and wellbeing. Brenda has 20 years of experience as a Certified Personal Trainer, and 13 years of experience as a Certified Yoga Instructor. While working as an Associate Wellness Director managing an on-site fitness center for Hanesbrands headquarters, Brenda became a Certified Wellness Coach through Wellcoaches. Brenda’s vast experience provides her with a foundation to coach individuals around stress management, physical activity, smoking cessation, nutrition, weight management through body positivity, work life balance, and holistic wellbeing for life satisfaction. Brenda is committed to coaching and guiding people holistically to empower them to become aware of how to live healthier lives through proactive and preventative measures. Brenda’s experience includes coaching clients from a variety of ages, backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Her motto is, “give a person a fish and he will eat fish for a day. Teach him how to fish and he can eat whenever he wants.”

As a fellow navigator on this journey called life, Brenda is passionate about traveling alongside others as a wellbeing coach. Her goal is to inspire others to not just survive the hard times and challenges, but to learn, grow, and THRIVE!
Karin Reese, MA, CHC

Karin is passionate about walking alongside people through life, working together to solve problems holistically, and learning to live wholeheartedly. As a wellness coach, she works to encourage and empower clients, using each person’s unique set of strengths to facilitate achieving their goals.

Karin earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1988, then returned to school as a non-traditional student in 2011. She completed a BS degree in psychology from University of Alaska/Kenai Peninsula College in 2014 and graduated in 2017 with an MA in counseling and human services from University of Colorado – Colorado Springs. Her professional background includes helping with goal setting and boundaries, stress management, special dietary needs, multi-cultural/ international adjustments, grief, chronic illness, anxiety, sexuality including LGBTQ+, personal values, spiritual concerns, and relationship issues.

Drop-in sessions are open!

Book a session by selecting the button above.

What makes Wellbeing Coaching different from counseling?

Wellbeing Coaching	Counseling
Coaching is an evidence-based practice offered as a free service for students, faculty and staff at Wake Forest University.	Counseling is a service that supports college students by providing confidential support and treatment for mental health needs.
Coaching supports clients to enhance their holistic wellbeing through utilizing strengths and goal-directed behavior change.	The University Counseling Center staff are licensed mental health providers who are committed to being a safe, nonjudgmental space.
Certified coaches empower clients by applying fundamental communication and motivation strategies to promote behavior change for a healthy lifestyle and quality of life that is meaningful, self-sustaining, health-promoting and value-driven.	Counseling staff work with you through a variety of options to cultivate emotional wellbeing by addressing interpersonal concerns, anxiety, depression, and more.