Lifestyle Coaching Skills Review. Lifestyle Coaches Our purpose is to support & facilitate lifestyle...

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

1. Stages of ChangeStage of Change Characteristics Techniques 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

Relapse Resumption 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”

ListenExplainDon’t push hardFocus on positive reasons to changeMake aware

Contemplation

“I might” Encourage focus on changing behaviors instead of final outcomeHelp to find strong motivatorDefine barriersGive HOW TO info

Preparation

“I will” Help set small goals and plan next stepsGive helpful materialKeep reminding of benefitsCreate systems of monitoring progress

Action

“I am” Check in regularlySet small weekly goals to reach larger goalsBe aware and plan for relapses

Maintenance

“I still am” Focus on long term goalsRemind of positive benefits of changeHelp learn to anticipate and cope with relapse

Relapse

“I messed up”

Ease back better habitsBeware of all or nothing attitudeBest is within 72 hours of plan to get back on trackWrite 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 strategies1. 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

I Restoring my Integrity

N Fulfilling my top Needs

W What I Want in my life

Working in the Zone

Urgent Not 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