What does a health coach do?
"So you're kind of like a nutritionist?"
That’s almost always the first reaction when I say I’m a health coach. Usually accompanied by a slight look of uncertainty, as if people are trying to figure out whether it’s a real profession. I get it. The term is vague, the field is crowded, and many people use the title to describe very different things. So here’s what it means when I use it.
In a nutshell
A health coach helps people understand the underlying causes of their physical symptoms and develop routines they can incorporate into their daily lives—unlike nutritional counseling, which is limited to diet, and therapy, which treats medical conditions. In Germany, “health coach” is not a protected professional title; without a license as a naturopath, a health coach may neither make diagnoses nor treat medical conditions. Their work complements medical care, not replaces it. Common concerns include stress-related exhaustion, irritable bowel syndrome, and a nervous system that fails to wind down in the evening.
Who I Work With
Women in their late twenties to mid-forties, mostly in corporate, consulting, or tech roles. People who continue to perform well at work and would not describe themselves as sick.
The reasons that bring them to me are almost always the same: something in their body isn’t right, they’ve had it checked out, and the results came back normal. Irritable bowel syndrome. Exhaustion that doesn’t improve with sleep. A nervous system that can’t wind down in the evening.
You were told it was nothing. You know that's not the same as saying, "I'm fine."
"It's nothing" isn't the same as "I'm fine."
What We Do, Specifically
We start with the pattern, not the symptom.
Most people come in with a list of symptoms that they’ve been treating individually up to this point. The first thing we do is lay everything out side by side and see what the symptoms have in common. Most of the time, it’s not three separate problems, but one problem in three different guises.
Then we'll work with the nervous system.
This is the part that’s new to most people. There’s a reason why your stomach reacts to a full inbox, and it’s not “psychological” in a pejorative sense—it’s a physical process. The gut and the brain are in constant communication via nerve pathways, hormones, and neurotransmitters (Mayer, Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2011).
Understanding when your system switches to survival mode and what it takes to get out of it changes what you try in the first place.
Then let's make it short enough to fit into a real week.
This is where most health advice falls short. It assumes you have a life with some breathing room. My clients don’t have that breathing room—they have back-to-back appointments and a commute. So we build things that fit into their daily lives, not around them.
What It Is Not
I don't make diagnoses. I don't treat anything. I'm not a substitute for your primary care physician, your gastroenterologist, or your psychotherapist—and if it becomes clear during our sessions that you need one of them, I'll tell you right away.
This isn't just a matter of modesty; it's the legal reality: "Health Coach" is not a protected professional title in Germany, and practicing medicine is not permitted without a license as a naturopath. I work alongside your medical care, not in its place.
Anyone who tells you otherwise in this area should make you suspicious.
Why I Do Exactly That
Why I Do Exactly That
In 2020, my body stopped cooperating after I’d neglected it for years. Burnout, followed by irritable bowel syndrome, and then chronic fatigue after a COVID infection in 2024. I went through the whole process—the tests, the normal results, the feeling that I really just had to keep going.
Before that, I worked for ten years in corporate and consulting environments. That means nothing my clients describe comes as a surprise to me. I know what it’s like to be the person holding the project together while quietly falling apart on the inside. I know how normal that’s considered in those settings.
This combination is the very reason why I do this. Not because I have a method that no one else has—but because I recognize the space.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What exactly does a health coach do?
A health coach helps people understand the connections between stress, the nervous system, nutrition, sleep, and digestion, and develop routines that work in everyday life. The work takes place through conversations, usually over several sessions, and is aimed at people with persistent symptoms for which there is no clear medical explanation. A health coach does not treat medical conditions but rather helps people change their behavior and daily routines in ways that relieve strain on the body.
What is the difference between a health coach and a nutritionist?
Nutrition counseling focuses on what you eat—nutrients, food composition, and specific meal plans. Health coaching views nutrition as one factor among many and takes into account stress levels, sleep, the nervous system, and daily routines. If you need medical nutrition therapy for a diagnosed condition, a qualified nutritionist is the right person to consult.
Does health coaching replace therapy or doctor's visits?
No. Health coaching is not a substitute for medical treatment or psychotherapy. It is a supplement to existing care. In cases of acute symptoms, severe psychological distress, or unexplained symptoms, a medical evaluation is always the first step.
Is "Health Coach" a protected professional title?
In Germany, the title “Health Coach” is not protected—in principle, anyone can call themselves that. That’s why it’s worth taking a look at their training. I am a certified health coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN, New York), have over 600 hours of yoga teacher training, and ten years of professional experience in a corporate setting.
Who is health coaching for?
For people with persistent, nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue,
Digestive problems or sleep disturbances for which medical examinations have not revealed a clear cause. It’s particularly helpful if you’re already managing symptoms without fully understanding them—that is, if you’re organizing your daily life around these issues. It’s less suitable for acute illnesses or if a medical evaluation is still pending.
What happens during an introductory interview?
The free introductory consultation lasts thirty minutes and takes place via Google Meet. We’ll talk about where you’re at right now, what you’ve already tried, and what’s weighing on you the most. By the end, you’ll know whether and how coaching could help you. There’s no sales pitch and no obligation.
If you're thinking right now, "I'm fine, I'm just tired"
That was my line, too—for about two years.
My name is Petra Psenner, and I’m a health coach in Munich. I help working women manage stress, stress-related exhaustion, and irritable bowel syndrome. Every week, I reserve a few slots for a 30-minute introductory session—with no obligation, no set program, and no pressure. Sessions are primarily held via Zoom, though in-person appointments in Munich are available upon request.
→ During the free introductory consultation , we’ll take a look together at where you’re at, what you’ve already tried, and how I can support you. No strings attached, no pressure.
Note: This post describes personal experiences and general concepts. It is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis, treatment, or psychotherapy. If you are feeling persistently distressed, please consult your doctor or a mental health professional.
