BOSTON (CBS) – It can be a hard balance: work and family.

For Christine Silva, it proved to be too much.

“I was constantly exhausted. I felt like I was never able to keep up,” says Silva.

To regain control of her life, Christine hired a wellness coach.

“Within the first session I realized this is not about just getting exercise. It was about how do I see myself and where do I want to be,” explains Silva.

Unlike personal trainers, who concentrate on physical fitness, a wellness coach takes a more holistic approach, focusing on both the body and the mind.

They meet clients one-on-one and help them create an individualized health plan.

“The coach is really trained to help you take a bigger picture of you over all aspects of your health and wellness. And then come up with a formula that combines all of these things together,” says Margaret Moore CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation.

Of course, hiring the right coach is key. Right now there is no national certification for wellness coaches. So, experts suggest you ask a lot of questions especially to find out all the fees up front.

The medical community is taking notice of this new trend. A limited pilot program from Harvard Vanguard allows patients with health problems to try a coach at no charge.