Dear Participant,

Knowing the facts about healthy living and understanding what people can do to improve their lifestyles is so important, but what use is that knowledge if it does not help us to empower others to adopt and sustain behavior change? This requires skillful communication, empathy, and the ability to tailor our counseling sessions or our communications to each person's unique circumstances and readiness for change. Without these elements, even the most well-informed recommendations may never be translated into real, lasting behavior change.

In this program, you will be introduced to coaching for behavior change. Behavior change coaching is a powerful tool for empowering individuals to adopt and sustain healthy lifestyles across the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.

Whether you are a health care professional hoping to be more supportive and efficacious with your patients or a health enthusiast who is passionate about promoting health and wellness among your friends and loved ones, this program provides the tools you will need. By the end, you will be equipped with practical tips and proven techniques to inspire positive change in yourself and others.

Note: In this program, you will be introduced to the theories and skills of behavior change used in lifestyle coaching. It is important to understand that while you will be learning and practicing these skills, this program does not certify you as a coach. Your role is not to act as a professional coach but to apply these techniques within the scope of your current practice — whether you are a parent, nurse, teacher, fitness professional or in any other role. The goal of this program is to help you understand how to support others in adopting and sustaining healthy habits without exceeding your professional boundaries.

Specifically, this program will help you to:

• Communicate compassionately and effectively to address the six pillars of a healthy lifestyle.
• Utilize tools to build authentic rapport to support change even in challenging situations.
• Employ behavior change theories and interview techniques that foster collaboration and negotiation with individuals living unhealthy lifestyles.
• Empower individuals to navigate inevitable disruptions in life so they learn how to maintain healthy living patterns throughout stressful events.
• Apply the latest research and guidelines of the six pillars of lifestyle medicine as a coach to inspire and motivate people to adopt and sustain healthy behaviors throughout their lifetime.

I wish you the very best on your learning journey!