10109159Health and Wellness Coaching
Course Information
Description
This course is designed to give you both the knowledge and skills needed to assess a client’s lifestyle behaviors and then support them through behavior change. This course is designed to help you prepare for the ACE Health Coach Certification exam.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Establish trust and rapport with clients using evidence-based coaching strategies in order to build and maintain collaborative relationships and elicit information about client goals, values, and beliefs
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use the principles of client-centered coaching (e.g., open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, summarizing)
    Listen with an intent to understand each client’s perspective (e.g., active listening, reflective listening)
    Give and interpret verbal and nonverbal cues effectively
    Establish a positive client–coach relationship
    Foster a positive and inclusive environment for effective communication
    Honor the client as the expert in their own life
    Foster a sense of community among participants in group settings (e.g., social support, collective learning)

  2. Guide clients to identify strengths, barriers, and available resources using established methods and appropriate tools in order to support them in making sustainable health behavior changes
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Identify and address barriers to change
    Identify and encourage facilitators of change
    Support clients in their discovery of personal strengths (e.g., character strengths survey, personality tests)
    Assist clients in identifying and using available resources
    Collaborate with clients to manage setbacks and celebrate successes
    Support clients in gaining insight and awareness of their health behavior–related actions
    Support clients in gaining an understanding of their role in making healthful choices
    Empower clients to be accountable for their decisions and actions (e.g., reflections, self-tracking)

  3. Facilitate client-directed behavior change using evidence-based coaching strategies in order to promote and enhance well-being
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Apply theories and models of behavior change
    Identify appropriate coaching strategies to promote self-efficacy
    Use evidence-based coaching strategies to promote learning (e.g., elicit-provide-elicit)
    Use evidence-based coaching strategies to promote behavior change (e.g., motivational interviewing)

  4. Gather information about the client using interviews and other methods in order to select relevant tools and assessments in collaboration with the client
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Conduct interviews (e.g., motivational interviewing, open- vs. closed-ended questions, active listening, listening for change talk)
    Select appropriate assessment tools based on gathered information from client interviews
    Identify social determinants of health specific to the client
    Identify a client’s health literacy
    Communicate with clients about the selection, use, and interpretation of assessments

  5. Conduct client-centered assessments in order to obtain health, medical, wellness, and lifestyle information and discover client values, strengths, and beliefs
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Conduct interviews (e.g., motivational interviewing, open- vs. closed-ended questions, active listening, listening for change talk)
    Select appropriate assessment tools based on gathered information from client interviews
    Identify social determinants of health specific to the client
    Identify a client’s health literacy
    Communicate with clients about the selection, use, and interpretation of assessments

  6. Interpret results in order to identify the need for medical clearance and/or referrals, establish baselines, and facilitate collaborative plan development
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Communicate with clients about the selection, use, and interpretation of assessments
    Interpret assessments, including, but not limited to, physical activity, nutrition, lifestyle, wellness, medical and health history, and behavioral health
    Differentiate types of risk factors (i.e., modifiable vs. non-modifiable)
    Identify social determinants of health specific to the client
    Identify the need for referral
    Refer to appropriate healthcare professionals
    Make appropriate referrals

  7. Establish the client’s goals and objectives collaboratively using assessment data to guide the development of the plan
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Incorporate client values, strengths, and vision in setting goals and objectives
    Identify appropriate behavior-change strategies based on assessment findings
    Use motivational interviewing with clients for goal setting
    Facilitate client-centered goal setting
    Guide clients to prioritize health behaviors and related goals

  8. Co-create a client-centered plan consistent with client values, strengths, and beliefs in order to support the client in achieving their goals and objectives
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Guide client-centered improvement of dimensions of health and wellness
    Use motivational interviewing with clients for plan development
    Select appropriate tools for plan development
    Facilitate client-centered plan development
    Incorporate health, medical, and safety considerations into behavior-change plans
    Identify and exploring triggers and barriers that affect sustainable change
    Develop a culturally responsive plan that reflects client values, beliefs, and vision

  9. Integrate relevant community resources and health professionals into the behavior change plan in order to support the client in achieving their goals and objectives
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Build a referral network
    Collaborate with other health professionals (e.g., communicating, reporting client updates)
    Refer clients to appropriate community and professional resources
    Guide clients to appropriate sources of information
    Foster client self-management

  10. Implement client-centered plans collaboratively using evidence-based coaching practices in order to facilitate client progress toward their healthful lifestyle and behavior change goals
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Apply evidence-based coaching strategies
    Determine each client’s attitudes, preferences, and readiness to change as it relates to desired outcomes
    Provide relevant information and guidance to clients
    Leverage available technology in program implementation (e.g., telehealth, digital, apps)
    Facilitate behavior change
    Identify barriers to sustainable change in collaboration with the client
    Incorporate health, medical, and safety considerations into behavior-change plans
    Apply evidence-based coaching strategies
    Determine each client’s attitudes, preferences, and readiness to change as it relates to desired outcomes
    Provide relevant information and guidance to clients
    Leverage available technology in program implementation (e.g., telehealth, digital, apps)
    Facilitate behavior change
    Identify barriers to sustainable change in collaboration with the client
    Incorporate health, medical, and safety considerations into behavior-change plans

  11. Provide the client with opportunities for further learning and feedback on health topics, behavior-change strategies, skill development, and overcoming barriers in order to empower and support the client in implementing the plan
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Engage clients in the change process
    Incorporate support systems into the plan
    Identify appropriate opportunities to provide clients with information, education, and resources
    Identify and address barriers to change and goal achievement
    Use motivational interviewing
    Provide effective feedback
    Provide information and resources within the coaching process
    Facilitate self-efficacy and adherence

  12. Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan in collaboration with clients and stakeholders to consistently monitor outcomes, support progress toward program goals, and refer as needed
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Recognize changes in client behaviors and health status
    Leverage available technology and data (e.g., telehealth, digital, apps)
    Reevaluate client goals
    Determine each client’s attitudes, preferences, and readiness to change as they relate to desired outcomes
    Identify and address barriers to sustainable change in collaboration with the client
    Recognize and address the client’s triggers, lapses, and relapses
    Select appropriate self-monitoring techniques

  13. Adjust client-centered plans collaboratively based on ongoing program evaluations in order to address barriers to change and encourage progress, accountability, motivation, and learning
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Interpret and communicate progress toward client goals
    Collaborate with clients to modify goals and adjust plans
    Collaborate with clients to identify strategies for overcoming barriers
    Collaborate with clients to develop coping strategies
    Empower clients to take responsibility for their decisions and actions
    Support progress toward goals (e.g., celebrating success, using affirmations)
    Implement lapse-prevention strategies
    Adjust methods of delivering behavior-change program components (e.g., in-person, telehealth, digital, group settings)
    Display empathy

  14. Adhere to responsible business practices, legal requirements, the ACE Code of Ethics, and scope-of-practice guidelines in order to maintain professional standards and manage risk
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Establish and maintain professional and personal boundaries
    Build a referral network
    Recognize when to refer clients
    Recognize, prevent, and manage risk
    Establish and maintain responsible business and marketing practices (e.g., use of social media, technology, email, communications)

  15. Maintain accurate and confidential records adhering to applicable standards, guidelines, and laws in order to ensure quality care and protect client privacy
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Retain client information in a secure and confidential manner
    Communicate professionally and with respect for client confidentiality
    Leverage available technology for secure and confidential storage of client information
    Adhere to appropriate workplace guidelines and applicable laws

  16. Respond to emergencies, potential safety hazards, and high-risk situations by developing and following policy and procedure in order to ensure safety and reduce liability
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Recognize the need to activate emergency medical services
    Recognize, mitigate, and manage risk
    Create and execute emergency action plans

  17. Enhance professional competence by staying current with health and wellness technology, research, and evidence-based coaching practice in order to build proficiency as a health coach and optimize client outcomes
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Identify sources of credible information
    Apply current evidence-based information to practice
    Leverage available technology in health coaching

  18. Create an inclusive and equitable environment for diverse individuals and respond to their needs in order to promote behavior change, well-being, and long-term positive health outcomes
    Assessment Strategies
    You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Demonstrate a commitment to culturally and linguistically appropriate health coaching
    Provide an inclusive environment
    Recognize social determinants of health and their influence on health equity
    Participate effectively as a member of a diverse interdisciplinary team