Lifestyle Coaching Skills Review. Lifestyle Coaches Our purpose is to support & facilitate lifestyle changes and goals participants have set for themselves.

Lifestyle Coaching Skills Review

Lifestyle Coaches Our purpose is to support & facilitate lifestyle changes and goals participants have set for themselves.

Information covered: 1.Stages of change 2.Communication skills 3.Wellness coaching models 4.SMART goals 5.Prep for 1st coaching meeting

Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change Model 1. Stages of Change Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change Model Stage of ChangeCharacteristicsTechniques Pre-contemplation Not currently considering change: "Ignorance is bliss" Validate lack of readiness Clarify: decision is theirs Encourage re-evaluation of current behavior Encourage self-exploration, not action Explain and personalize the risk Contemplation Ambivalent about change: "Sitting on the fence" Not considering change within the next month Validate lack of readiness Clarify: decision is theirs Encourage evaluation of pros and cons of behavior change Identify and promote new, positive outcome expectations Preparation Some experience with change and are trying to change: "Testing the waters" Planning to act within 1month Identify and assist in problem solving re: obstacles Help patient identify social support Verify that patient has underlying skills for behavior change Encourage small initial steps Action Practicing new behavior for 3-6 months Focus on restructuring cues and social support Bolster self-efficacy for dealing with obstacles Combat feelings of loss and reiterate long-term benefits Maintenance Continued commitment to sustaining new behavior Post-6 months to 5 years Plan for follow-up support Reinforce internal rewards Discuss coping with relapse RelapseResumption of old behaviors: "Fall from grace" Evaluate trigger for relapse Reassess motivation and barriers Plan stronger coping strategies

Pre-contemplation “I can’t” or “I won’t”  Listen  Explain  Don’t push hard  Focus on positive reasons to change  Make aware Contemplation “I might”  Encourage focus on changing behaviors instead of final outcome  Help to find strong motivator  Define barriers  Give HOW TO info Preparation “I will”  Help set small goals and plan next steps  Give helpful material  Keep reminding of benefits  Create systems of monitoring progress Action “I am”  Check in regularly  Set small weekly goals to reach larger goals  Be aware and plan for relapses Maintenance “I still am”  Focus on long term goals  Remind of positive benefits of change  Help learn to anticipate and cope with relapse Relapse “I messed up”  Ease back better habits  Beware of all or nothing attitude  Best is within 72 hours of plan to get back on track  Write down new plan Stage and Coaching Focus

2. Communication Skills  Stop talking (listen)  Empathize  Be patient  No distractions, disagreeing, criticizing or arguing  Client does the work  Mentor/guide in direction they chose  Believe person is “well” and is there to support & facilitate earlier attainment of goals for person

The following are Motivational Interviewing strategies 1.Ask open-ended questions. Avoid using questions that will elicit a short answer ("Tell me more about these difficulties" as opposed to "Have you had difficulties with this?") 2.Ask, don't tell. Spend far more time listening than you do talking. Allow the person to do most of the thinking for him/herself. Shoot for a 70/30 listening to talking ratio. 3.Reflective listening. Look for the underlying meaning of what is being said and reflect this back to the person. Focus on how the person is feeling. 4.Double-sided reflection. Use two-sided reflections in order to highlight ambivalence. For example, "So, on the one hand, you say smoking makes you feel more relaxed, but only the other hand, you know that it upsets your family and it's not good for your health." 5.Summarize. Summarize key statements. Connect motivationally relevant material, allowing the individual to hear their own words and thoughts again. 6.Affirm. Create the sense that you are supportive. Reinforce important statements with reflective listening and support as well as nods.

Communication is Body language –Eye contact –Open body language –Attentive Sings ‘Unfortunate souls’ about importance of body language

Top 5 Important to Remember: 1.Listen – Stop talking and Ask questions 2.Put other person at ease 3.Empathize 4.Watch own emotions (patience, criticize, argue, opinions) 5.Behavior change comes from the inside, and provides the proof on the outside.

3. What is a ‘model’? Tool to provide framework to coaching relationship There are a bunch! Why important? –To outline a plan with participant, helps direction conversation, not end up trying to “counsel”

Examples of Models include: GROW –Goal, Reality, Options, What next

Models INW Goals focus on IRestoring my Integrity NFulfilling my top Needs WWhat I Want in my life

Working in the Zone UrgentNot Urgent Important Not Important

Other model examples … Wellness Wheel Wellness Path, by Cooper Institute

4. Setting Goals Client sets the goal SMART

5. First session Prepare –Intro of you and your coaching –Assessment reviewed Determine current status Get to know Done before –Determine Model to use

Prepare on how to end first session: Conclude –Contact info –Feedback (how was this for you?) –Questions? –Next appt –Reminder that is positive