Your Celiac Coach
What Is Celiac Coaching?
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Published November 18, 2025. Revised May 31, 2026 Staci Leibson - Life Coach at The Celiac Shift |
Celiac coaching is a structured, non-medical service that helps individuals and families translate a celiac disease diagnosis into safe, repeatable daily routines at home, in restaurants, at school, and during travel. At The Celiac Shift, coaching covers cross-contamination prevention, restaurant communication, school advocacy, travel systems, and family-wide implementation, complementing medical care without replacing it.
What Celiac Coaching Covers
A coaching engagement is built around the parts of celiac life that medical care does not address directly:
- Cross-contamination prevention at home, in shared kitchens, and at restaurants
- Restaurant communication scripts and order strategies
- School advocacy, including 504 plan preparation and lunchroom safety
- Travel planning, packing systems, and airport and hotel routines
- Family communication so that everyone in the household understands the stakes
- Confidence building and reduced day-to-day decision fatigue
Each plan is built around the client, not a generic curriculum.
Who The Celiac Shift Serves
- Newly diagnosed adults learning gluten-absent living from scratch
- Parents of children recently diagnosed with celiac disease
- Adults who still feel unsafe or uncertain
- Families managing a shared kitchen with one or more celiac members
- Caregivers and partners who want to support a celiac family member effectively
How Coaching Complements Medical Care
Coaching does not diagnose, treat, or replace medical care. Gastroenterologists confirm the diagnosis and monitor recovery. Registered dietitians address clinical nutrition needs. A celiac coach handles the implementation layer, the daily decisions about how to eat, advocate, travel, and live, which determines whether the diet actually stays gluten-free in practice.
| Role | What They Do |
|---|---|
| Gastroenterologist | Diagnoses celiac disease and monitors healing |
| Registered Dietitian | Manages clinical nutrition and deficiencies |
| Celiac Coach | Builds the daily systems that make gluten-free living workable |
About Your Coach
The Celiac Shift was founded by Staci Leibson after her son Jude was diagnosed with celiac disease in January 2022. Staci is a co-founder of Community4Celiac, a 501 (c) (3) in partnership with Northwell Health that funds pediatric celiac research. Her background in special education and social work informs how she structures coaching for both adults and families. Read more on the About Staci page.
How to Start
There are three ways into the work:
- Book a free consultation to discuss your situation directly. Visit the scheduling page to choose a time.
- Download a free guide for self-guided next steps. Choose from the NYC Gluten Free Restaurant Guide, the School and Social Guide, or the Advocacy Guide.
- Join the next group cohort. Learn about the structured Group Coaching Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a celiac coach?
A celiac coach is a non-medical professional who helps individuals and families apply a Celiac-friendly lifestyle in real-world settings. The work covers cross-contamination prevention, school and social situations, travel, family systems, and emotional adjustment after diagnosis.
How is celiac coaching different from working with a dietitian?
A registered dietitian addresses clinical nutrition, deficiencies, and meal composition.
A celiac coach addresses implementation, how to actually live gluten-free at home, in restaurants, on vacation, and in shared spaces, and how to advocate at school and in public.
Is celiac coaching a medical treatment?
No. Coaching is educational and behavioral support. It does not diagnose or treat any medical condition. Clients should continue working with their gastroenterologist and, where appropriate, a registered dietitian.
Who is celiac coaching for? Adults newly diagnosed with celiac disease, parents of newly diagnosed children, long-time gluten-free adults who still feel unsafe, and families adjusting to a shared celiac-aware home.
Where is the Celiac Shift based? The Celiac Shift serves clients across the New York Tristate area and works with clients nationally by video consultation.