What is Peer Wellness Coaching?
Peer Wellness Coaching at Penn is a free and preventative service that enhances Penn students’ wholistic wellbeing. Our Peer Wellness Coaches are well trained to offer 1-1 coaching to students. Our coach training program (68 hours) is accredited by ICF at Level 1. You will feel heard, supported, and empowered after coaching. Moreover, you will be clearer about your wellness goals, make action plans toward those goals, and be kept accountable by your coach. When you have a session with a Peer Wellness Coach, here’s what you can expect:
- Explore topics that are important to you and impact your life
- Discuss your motivation to make a change
- Identify the obstacles and barriers to your success
- Develop new strategies to overcome your challenges
- Be kept accountable to your action plan
- Increase self-awareness: your vision, strengths, and core values
What topics are covered?
Peer Wellness Coaching at Penn uses the “8 Domains of Wellness” as its framework. Your Peer Wellness Coach will offer support, resources, and accountability in the following topics:
- Physical health: sleep, nutrition, physical activities, etc.
- Emotional health: emotion regulation, confidence, imposter syndrome, stress management, etc.
- Time management and procrastination
- Relationships
- Navigating transitions
- Finances
- Career
- Spirituality
Wellness Coaching is NOT…
- Counseling
- A clinical service
- Diagnosis or treatment for mental illness
Who should sign up for coaching?
You might try coaching if you’re…
- Navigating academic pressure – “I’m feeling overwhelmed and need new strategies. I want to accomplish hard things but also maintain my wellbeing.”
- Feeling lost or unmotivated – “I’m not sure what’s wrong, but I could use a friendly guide to help me find my way.”
- Figuring out what matters most to you – “There are so many doors open to me, but I'm unsure which path aligns with my values and long-term goals.”
- Seeking a healthier lifestyle – "I know exercising and getting better sleep would make me feel better, yet I never prioritize them."
- Searching for a sense of belonging – “I’m new to the city and want to make friends, but don’t know where to start.”
Eligibility
All Penn students are eligible for the Wellness Coaching service. However, please note that the first session is in-person.
Interested in signing up for a Wellness Coaching session?
Please fill out the Wellness Coaching Intake Form. After submitting the intake form, you will receive an email with instructions to sign up for your first coaching session. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Zihui Lu at luzihui@upenn.edu.
Information and Disclosure of Wellness Coaching at Penn
Student Testimonials
- "I always feel inspired and motivated after! She also is open with me about her wellness journey so I can feel like someone else is going thru the motions as well."
- "I got to organize my thoughts, create a plan and goals, and have someone to be accountable to."
- "The next step is achievable rather than just relying on abstract principles that lead nowhere. Analyzing the reasons behind my behavior is also very helpful because it can assist me in targeting those unconscious mentalities that influence some of my unwanted behaviors."
- "My coach leads me to think about what I can do, and that makes me feel powerful."
Our Peer Wellness Coaches
Meet Our Wellness Coaches
Visit our Instagram (@wellnessatpenn) to learn more about each of our Peer Wellness Coaches!