Applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Principles in Health & Wellness Coaching

Course Description:

This 3-hour course introduces NBHWC-certified coaches to the foundational principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and how they can be effectively integrated into health and wellness coaching. Participants will explore key CBT tools and frameworks to support behavior change, emotional regulation, and cognitive awareness while maintaining the appropriate scope of practice.

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Target Audience:

This course is designed for National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWCs) who wish to integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)–informed techniques into their coaching practice, while staying within the NBHWC Scope of Practice. It is ideal for coaches working with clients experiencing negative thought patterns, behavioral avoidance, stress, or mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. The course is particularly relevant for coaches in primary care, behavioral health, integrative health, and employee wellness settings, where emotional well-being and behavior change intersect.

Course Overview

Estimated Course Length:  3

CE Credits:  3

CE Information:

Toivoa Coaching has been approved by the NBHWC to provide continuing education for National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches.

Course Number: CEA-100118-4

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:  

  • Define core CBT principles and their relevance in coaching contexts  
  • Identify common cognitive distortions and their effects on behavior  
  • Apply CBT-informed tools such as the thought record and ABC model in client sessions • Understand ethical considerations and referral needs when using CBT techniques

Course Outline:

Course Schedule (3 Hours Total)  

Module 1: Foundations of CBT (30 minutes) – History and core principles of CBT – Connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors (including ABC model)- Relationship between CBT and behavior change theories  

Module 2: CBT Tools in Coaching (2 hours) – Identifying automatic thoughts and distortions – Introduction to thought records and other CBT informed tools – Client-centered application through practice scenarios  

Module 3: Scope, Ethics, and Integration (30 minutes) – Appropriate use of CBT techniques in a coaching context – Scope-of-practice boundaries and referral guidelines – Case studies and reflective discussion  

Course Includes

Materials Provided:

    • CBT Coaching Toolkit
      • Sample thought records
      • Worksheets
    • Scope-of-practice and ethics reference guide

Instructional Format & Assessment:

Instruction Methods: – Online, self-paced webinar – Interactive instruction with case examples  

Assessment Criteria: – Multiple-choice quiz (80% passing score)  

Instructional Method:

Asynchronous/Online

Instructor Qualifications:

Dr. Alex Kirk, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology & Neuroscience 

  • Faculty, Toivoa Coaching Academy 
  • Earned Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder 
  • Specialized clinical training and research experience in anxiety/fear disorders, chronic pain and neuroplastic conditions, and sleep problems 
  • Serves on Clinical Steering Committee for international Exposure Therapy Consortium, advancing research, dissemination, and training of approach-/exposure-based therapies 
  • Former US Naval Medical Officer in Psychology, prior clinical advisor to the Defense Health Agency 

 

Brenda C. Buffington, EdD, MS, NBC-HWC, EP-C    

  • National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach    
  • Faculty, Toivoa Coaching Academy    
  • Presenter at Mayo Clinic (April 2025)    
  • Co-investigator on multiple NIH-funded research projects    
  • Former faculty, The Ohio State University, Chief Wellness Office    

   

Christopher S. King, BA, NBC-HWC   

  • National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach    
  • Faculty, Toivoa Coaching Academy    

 

Laura Randa, BS Education, M.P.A-Healthcare   

 

  • Principle investigator on NIH-funded research project 
  • Chair, Toivoa Coaching Academy 
  • Faculty, Toivoa Coaching Academy 
  • Executive Board Member, American Association of People with Disabilities 

Participation Costs:  $75

Accessibility Accommodations:

Closed captioning of all audio and video components. In order to request further accessibility accommodations, please email: CKing@toivoacoaching.com

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