Wellness Coaching
Wellness coaching is a free service available to students via self-referral or referral from a campus partner by completing the initial request form through this page.
Centered around eight dimensions of wellbeing (social, emotional, physical, environmental, financial, spiritual, intellectual, occupational), wellness coaching provides the opportunity and framework to reflect on your wellbeing, establish + achieve goals, and build self-awareness + skills for a fulfilling and meaningful life. Our wellness coaches create a supportive environment where you are the expert. You know what is best for you based on personal priorities and values.
Wellness coaching offers peer-to-peer support with UW–Madison students who have completed an extensive onboarding process. Coaches participate in training throughout the year and have the support of the wellness coach team and professional staff. All coaches have learned and practiced wellness coaching, motivational interviewing, and peer education skills. Wellness coaches offer motivation, connection, accountability, and campus resources to be there for you through your wellness journey.
Request Wellness Coaching
Receive free Rec Well swag during your first coaching session.
What is Wellness Coaching?
Wellness coaching…
- Focuses on holistic health and wellbeing
- Centers on your strengths, interests, and personal goals
- Starts with self-reflection and goal setting
- Requires active participation and collaboration
Wellness coaching is not…
- Mental health therapy, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment
- If you are looking for mental health support, visit University Mental Health Services.
- If you need mental health support immediately, call the 24/7 crisis line to talk with a mental health provider: 608-265-5600 (option 9).
- Personal training
- If you are looking for personal training, visit Personal & Small Group Training.
One-on-One Wellness Coaching
One-on-one peer wellness coaching provides an opportunity for you to meet individually with a wellness coach. The first meeting will be approximately 60 minutes and follow-up meetings will be approximately 30 – 60 minutes in length. Most students who participate in coaching complete the wellbeing self-assessment prior to or during their first meeting. During the self-assessment, you will begin to discover how the eight dimensions of wellbeing may be impacting your health and wellness and often inspire personal goals for coaching. Meetings may occur across campus or at our private meeting rooms at the Nicholas Recreation Center or Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center. Virtual wellness coaching is also available depending on the student and coach preferences.
After completing the initial request form, you will be matched with a wellness coach based on coach availability and your preferences, interests, and goals.
As a bonus, you will receive a free Rec Well swag item of your choice during your first session!
Wellbeing Community Group
Rooting for Ourselves, Together
Wellbeing Community Groups are free and available to all UW–Madison students to take some time for their wellbeing. Participants discuss the weekly wellness topic, reflect on their wellbeing, and create goals. Throughout these groups, students will build connections while learning and practicing skills for improving personal wellbeing with the support of the student Peer Wellness Coach facilitators. There is no limit to how many Wellbeing Community Groups a student can attend. While there is a structure in place, coaches offer opportunities for each participant to personalize their experience. Each week, participants receive a new item to add to a self-care wellness kit!
Welcome to Campus Community Group Series
This group is ideal for students new to campus and looking to connect with others. Students will talk about their overall wellbeing and what it’s been like to come to campus. Everyone who attends will get a reusable bag to build their own self-care kit!
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 15 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Multicultural Student Center (MSC) Classroom
Discuss social wellbeing and how to meet new people. You will connect with other students may even make a new friend! Attendees will get a set of Pop-It Cards for little boosts of motivation for themselves or to share with others for their self-care kit!
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 22 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Multicultural Student Center (MSC) Classroom
Explore occupational wellbeing which could include managing time, balancing time for school and work, and setting career goals. Attendees attends will get a mindfulness coloring book and colored pencils for their self-care kit!
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 22 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Multicultural Student Center (MSC) Classroom
Reflect and set goals for your physical wellbeing whether that’s nutrition, sleep, movement, or hydration. Attendees will get hand fidget putty for their self-care kit!
Date & Time: Tuesday, October 6 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Multicultural Student Center (MSC) Classroom
Check in with your financial wellbeing and understand how your money habits impact your personal goals. Attendees will get a phone case wallet for their self-care kit!
Date & Time: Tuesday, October 13 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Multicultural Student Center (MSC) Classroom
Midterm Momentum Community Group Series
Join us for the first Wellbeing Community Group in our Midterm Momentum series. This group is ideal for students who want to maintain or improve their wellbeing through midterms. You will check in on their overall wellbeing and make a plan for moving forward. Attendees will get a canvas pencil pouch for a self-care kit!
Date & Time: Friday, October 23 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Bakke – Willow Room
Reflect on the vibes of your environment and how you can adjust to feel your best during midterm prep. Attendees will get a lavender essential oil roller for their self-care kit!
Date & Time: Friday, October 30 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Bakke – Willow Room
Connect with the group and set a personalized goal for managing your time, schedule, and responsibilities for midterm success. Attendees will get a notebook and pen for their self-care kit!
Date & Time: Friday, November 6 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Bakke – Willow Room
Explore how to manage you stress and set a goal for you emotional wellbeing during exams. Attendees will get fun mental health stickers for their self-care kit!
Date & Time: Friday, November 13 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Bakke – Willow Room
Reflect on your current spiritual practices and whether they are supportive for your wellbeing. Whether or not you connect with religion, there are lots of ways to be spiritual. Attendees will get affirmation sticky notes and multi-colored pen for their self-care kit!
Date & Time: Friday, November 20 from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Location: Bakke – Willow Room
Expectations
One-on-One Wellness Coaching
Please fill out the one-on-one wellness coaching request form. After completing the form, you will be notified via email when a wellness coach is available, and you have been matched. They will facilitate the scheduling process for your first meeting together. Matching depends upon coach availability and schedule alignment. You will be notified if a coach is not available and that you have been placed on the waiting list. Then, when a coach becomes available, you will be notified via email.
Wellbeing Community Group
You must register on services.recwell.wisc.edu. Use the menu on the left side of the page to choose Wellbeing > Wellbeing Community Group to select which sessions you would like to join.
If you sign up and find that you are no longer available, please cancel your registration online before registration closes. This occurs the week before sessions start.
Our peer wellness coaches are students just like you, juggling responsibilities for classes, jobs, friends, and family. We ask that you please respect their time by making every effort to attend scheduled appointments.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, email your coach at least 24 hours in advance. This allows them to plan their time accordingly and maintain their own sense of wellbeing. Space in the wellness coaching program is available on a first-come, first-served basis: If a student is consistently missing or rescheduling appointments, we will need to reevaluate whether coaching is a fit within their schedule right now.
Although wellness coaching is a free service at UW–Madison, if you miss a meeting without advance notice, you are subject to incurring a fee. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Wellbeing Community Cancellation Details
- Go to services.recwell.wisc.edu.
- Click Log In in the top right corner of the page and log in using your NetID or Guest credentials.
- Once logged in, click your name in the top right corner of the page and select Profile from the drop-down menu.
- From the menu on the left side of the page, click Wellbeing.
- Find the group wellness coaching session registration you’d like to cancel. Click the three dots on the right side of the class listing,
select Cancel Registration, and follow the on-screen prompts.
All are welcome in this space, and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.
We offer opportunities for all people to exchange ideas, share experiences, and achieve personal fulfillment. This pursuit of wellness is a right afforded to everyone, regardless of identity or ability. We have a collective responsibility to foster a culture of mutual respect, courteous interactions, and equal opportunities. Through our programs, services, facilities, and staff, we are committed to cultivating and upholding an inclusive environment in which we celebrate the differences of every member of our community.
Become a Coach
Applications for the peer wellness coach position open each spring semester. Professional staff will review all applications, hold interviews, and hire the next cohort of coaches for the following fall semester. Applications can be submitted on the Student Jobs website. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with an interest in promoting health and wellness, from all educational backgrounds and experiences are welcome. Students pursuing professions related to counseling, public health, healthcare, education, and other helping professions have been especially successful within this role!