Duration: 5 weeks | CEUs: 7 (6 learning, 1 ethics)

This foundational module establishes the core competencies and ethical framework for health and wellness coaching while distinguishing coaching approaches from traditional BCBA interventions. Students will learn to create professional coaching relationships that honor both the collaborative nature of wellness coaching and the evidence-based principles of behavior analysis.

From the NBHWC perspective, this module focuses on establishing rapport, creating safe coaching environments, and understanding the collaborative nature of coaching relationships. Students develop essential skills in active listening, powerful questioning, and goal exploration while learning to maintain appropriate coaching boundaries. The module emphasizes the coaching mindset and presence required to facilitate client self-discovery and empowerment. Ethics coverage includes the NBHWC Code of Ethics, scope of practice guidelines, and professional standards that govern wellness coaching practice.

From the BCBA perspective, students learn to differentiate between coaching conversations and behavioral programming, understanding when each approach is most appropriate. The module clearly defines scope boundaries between coaching support and clinical intervention, helping BCBAs understand how coaching can complement but not replace behavioral services. Students explore how coaching assessments differ from functional behavioral assessments, while learning to recognize natural reinforcement processes in coaching relationships versus programmed reinforcement schedules used in ABA interventions.

Key outcomes include developing a professional coaching identity, establishing effective coaching relationships, and beginning to integrate behavioral science principles within appropriate coaching scope while maintaining clear professional boundaries.

Duration: 6 weeks | CEUs: 7 (6 learning, 1 supervision)

This module provides an in-depth exploration of Motivational Interviewing techniques and principles, integrating behavior change theory with coaching practice through both wellness coaching and behavioral science perspectives. Students learn to facilitate meaningful conversations that support sustainable behavior change while honoring client autonomy and self-determination.

From the NBHWC perspective, the module emphasizes facilitating client self-discovery, supporting autonomous goal development, and creating accountability structures that empower rather than control. Students master the MI spirit, processes, and skills within coaching conversations, learning to support intrinsic motivation and self-directed behavior change. The focus remains on respecting client choice, supporting self-efficacy development, and creating conditions where clients can explore their own motivations for change without external pressure or judgment.

From the BCBA perspective, students examine motivation through an ABA lens, understanding how antecedents, consequences, and establishing operations influence behavior change readiness. The module explores how MI techniques can help uncover behavioral functions and how natural versus artificial reinforcement systems support sustainable change. Students learn to apply behavioral principles in tracking and supporting client progress while maintaining the collaborative spirit essential to effective coaching relationships.

The integration of these perspectives helps students develop sophisticated skills in facilitating behavior change conversations that honor both coaching principles and behavioral science, preparing them to support clients in making lasting improvements to their health and wellness.

Duration: 5 weeks | CEUs: 4 (3 learning, 1 supervision)

This module explores psychological principles, positive psychology, stress management, and chronic illness considerations in coaching practice, integrating mental health awareness with behavioral wellness approaches. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of how psychological factors influence wellness outcomes and learn to support clients holistically while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. The module covers specialized topics including chronic illness management, physical activity and exercise coaching, sleep optimization, and comprehensive wellness interventions.

From the NBHWC perspective, the module covers integration of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness domains in coaching practice. Students learn strengths-based approaches, resilience building techniques, and meaning-making processes that support overall client wellbeing. Special attention is given to coaching considerations for clients with ongoing health challenges including chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and autoimmune disorders, learning how to provide appropriate support while recognizing when referrals to other professionals are necessary. The module includes evidence-based approaches to physical activity coaching, understanding exercise motivation and barriers, and supporting clients in developing sustainable movement practices. Sleep coaching principles are covered, including sleep hygiene, circadian rhythm optimization, and addressing sleep-related wellness challenges. Evidence-based stress reduction techniques and lifestyle modification strategies are explored through a coaching lens that empowers client choice and self-direction.

From the BCBA perspective, students examine behavioral health through the understanding of behavior-environment interactions in wellness contexts. The module explores how chronic illness and physical limitations function as establishing operations that affect behavioral repertoires and decision-making capacity. Students learn about behavioral momentum and environmental modifications that support sustainable wellness routines, applying antecedent strategies that make healthy behaviors more likely to occur naturally within the client's environment. Exercise and physical activity are examined through behavioral principles including habit formation, reinforcement schedules for activity maintenance, and addressing behavioral barriers to movement. Sleep behaviors are analyzed through a behavioral lens, understanding the environmental and behavioral factors that influence sleep quality and duration.

This integrated approach helps students support holistic client wellness by combining psychological wellness principles with behavioral science while maintaining appropriate referral practices and professional boundaries, preparing them to work effectively with diverse health conditions and wellness challenges.

Duration: 3 weeks | CEUs: 6 (5 learning, 1 supervision) | Format: On-Demand

This advanced module integrates ACT principles and techniques into coaching practice, bridging third-wave behavioral therapies with wellness coaching through values-based action and psychological flexibility. Students learn sophisticated approaches to helping clients align their behaviors with their deepest values while developing psychological flexibility to navigate life's challenges.

From the NBHWC perspective, the module emphasizes values exploration processes that help clients identify and connect with their personal values and life purpose. Students learn to ensure coaching goals align with client values and support authentic goal-setting processes. Mindfulness integration and present-moment awareness practices are explored as tools for supporting client self-awareness and acceptance. The module covers values-driven action planning and commitment processes that help clients maintain motivation and persistence in pursuing their wellness goals.

From the BCBA perspective, students explore Relational Frame Theory and how language and cognition affect behavior patterns. The module covers functional contextualism, examining behavior in context and understanding the function of thoughts and feelings in behavioral repertoires. Students learn acceptance strategies that reduce experiential avoidance and increase psychological flexibility. The module explores how values function as powerful reinforcers that can guide and maintain behavioral repertoires over time, creating sustainable motivation for wellness behaviors.

This integration prepares students to facilitate sophisticated coaching conversations that support values-based goal setting and help clients develop psychological flexibility for sustainable behavior change that aligns with their authentic selves.

Duration: 6 weeks | CEUs: 8 (5 learning, 2 ethics, 1 supervision)

This capstone module develops advanced coaching skills, addresses complex ethical considerations, covers legal requirements, and focuses on professional development topics that prepare students for independent practice. Students learn to work effectively with specialized populations and integrate evidence-based interventions while navigating the complexities of professional coaching practice. The module includes advanced topics in nutrition coaching, hydration and wellness, substance abuse considerations, and specialized population coaching approaches.

From the NBHWC perspective, the module covers advanced skills for managing complex coaching conversations, working with client resistance, and handling challenging client situations with professionalism and competence. Students develop cultural competency skills and learn about health disparities and diverse client needs, preparing them to work effectively across different populations and contexts. The module includes evidence-based nutrition intervention coaching, understanding nutritional behavior change, and supporting clients in developing sustainable eating patterns. Hydration coaching principles are covered, including behavioral approaches to adequate fluid intake and addressing hydration-related wellness goals. Students learn appropriate coaching boundaries when working with clients who have substance abuse histories, understanding when and how to make referrals while providing supportive coaching within scope. Advanced ethical dilemmas, boundary management, and continuing education requirements are thoroughly explored. The module emphasizes evidence-based practice integration, helping students learn to incorporate research and best practices into their coaching interventions while maintaining the collaborative coaching relationship.

From the BCBA perspective, students learn to view coaching as a consultation model within behavioral frameworks, understanding how coaching can complement traditional ABA services and when referrals are most appropriate. Nutrition and eating behaviors are examined through behavioral principles, including understanding food-related behavioral functions, environmental influences on eating patterns, and behavioral strategies for sustainable dietary change. Hydration behaviors are analyzed as part of broader health behavior repertoires, applying behavioral momentum and environmental design principles. Students learn to recognize behavioral indicators of substance use issues and understand how substance use affects behavioral repertoires and coaching effectiveness. Systems thinking approaches help students understand environmental and social determinants that affect behavior change success. Cultural responsiveness is explored through a behavioral lens, examining how behavioral interventions must be adapted across diverse populations and contexts. Professional integration topics help students understand how coaching enhances rather than replaces traditional ABA services.

This comprehensive capstone prepares students to demonstrate advanced coaching competencies, navigate complex ethical situations, work effectively with diverse populations, and integrate both coaching and behavioral science perspectives in their professional practice, creating practitioners who can work ethically and effectively in both domains while addressing the full spectrum of wellness topics.