Characteristics of Effective Wellness Practitioners: A Qualitative Study

The positive impacts of wellness programs have led to significant growth in the profession over the past 50 years as more and more companies, hospitals, and community organizations offer wellness programs. Despite the touted success of wellness programs and the growth in the industry, little is known about what competencies are necessary for effective wellness promotion. The purpose of this study was to explore which characteristics experienced wellness professionals believe are essential to effective wellness promotion practice at the entry-level. Ten experienced professionals who hold the Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) credential, and employed in diverse roles were interviewed. A thematic analysis revealed 14 major competency areas important for entry-level wellness practitioners. This study suggests that there are similarities in the characteristics expected of entry-level wellness practitioners by employers from multiple wellness-promoting fields. This research can be used as a foundational framework to identify specific competency items for wellness practitioners.