CBT Informed Health Coaching

in Cancer Care

NBWHC-Approved

About the course:

This 12-hour specialty certificate program is designed for National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches (NBHWC) and other allied health professionals seeking to enhance their coaching skills with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles within the unique context of cancer care. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the psychosocial challenges faced by individuals affected by cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship, and learn how to effectively integrate evidence-based CBT techniques into their coaching practice. The program emphasizes a holistic, client-centered approach, empowering coaches to support clients in managing stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and other common concerns, ultimately fostering resilience and improving quality of life. This specialized training will equip coaches to provide more targeted, impactful, and ethically sound support to this vulnerable population.

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Course Overview

Estimated Course Length:  12 hours

CE Credits:  12

Course Includes

Materials:

    • CBT Coaching Workbook (provided)
    • Curated evidence-based readings
    • NBHWC Scope and Ethics Guide

Instructional Format:

Pre-recorded Lectures/Webinars:

    • Video Content: Instructors record lectures, presentations, or demonstrations that
      learners can watch at their convenience. Including slides, visual aids, and sometimes
      demonstrations of coaching techniques. 
    • Narrated PowerPoints: Similar to video lectures, these are often PowerPoint
      presentations with synchronized audio narration by the instructor.
    • Recorded Webinars: Previously live webinars that have been recorded and made
      available for asynchronous viewing.

Course Manuals/E-books:

Comprehensive written materials that delve into the course topics, theories, and practical applications.


    • Articles and Research Papers: Curated readings from academic journals, industry publications, or reputable sources to provide in-depth information and evidence-based
      perspectives.
    • Case Studies: Written scenarios that describe client situations, allowing learners to apply theoretical knowledge to practical coaching challenges.

Discussion Forums (Facilitated Asynchronously):

    • While not synchronous, discussion forums allow for interaction among learners and
      with the instructor (or a teaching assistant) over time.
    • Instructor Moderation: A qualified instructor or facilitator typically monitors and
      participates in the forums, answering questions, guiding discussions, and providing
      insights.
    • Peer-to-Peer Learning: Learners can post questions, share experiences, and respond
      to others’ comments, fostering a sense of community and collaborative learning.

Target Audience:

This NBHWC CE course targets any allied health professional working with cancer patients, including Nurses (Oncology, Palliative Care, Nurse Navigators, Nurse Practitioners), Social Workers (Oncology Social Workers), Dietitians (Oncology Dietitians), Physical Therapists (Oncology Physical Therapists, Lymphedema Specialists), Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists/Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialists, Pharmacists (Oncology Pharmacists), Physician Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologists, Psychologists/Counselors/Psychiatrists, Patient Navigators/Patient Educators, Genetic Counselors (especially those in oncology), Art, Drama, and Music Therapists, Prosthetists/Orthotists, Podiatrists, and Community Health Workers. It’s designed for those interested in integrating health coaching and CBT principles to empower individuals navigating cancer care in self-management, lifestyle modification, and enhanced well-being across the entire cancer trajectory (diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care).

Prerequisite:

NBHWC Certification

Instructional Method:

Asynchronous/On Demand

Accessibility Accommodations:

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

Completion Requirements:

To successfully complete the program and demonstrate mastery in an asynchronous learning environment, participants will be evaluated on the following:

    1. Completion of all modules: All assigned course modules and associated learning activities must be fully completed.
    2. Demonstration of coaching skills utilizing CBT-informed strategies: Participants will actively apply and showcase coaching skills through practical exercises and assignments, grounded in CBT-informed approaches.
    3. Successful completion of the final quiz (requiring a score of 80% or higher): A comprehensive final assessment will measure understanding of core concepts and program content, requiring a minimum passing score of 80%.
    4. Proactive engagement and integration with instructor feedback: Participants are expected to actively incorporate feedback received from instructors into their ongoing development.
    5. Submission of a reflective essay (minimum 300 words) on personal coaching growth: A written essay reflecting on the participant’s journey and evolution as a coach throughout the program, demonstrating critical self-assessment and learning

Participation Costs:  $400

Course Creation Date:  7/21/25

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this 12-hour specialty certificate program, participants will be able to:

    • Identify at least five common psychosocial challenges experienced by individuals across the cancer trajectory (diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care).
    • Explain the core principles and fundamental techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) relevant to health coaching.
    • Differentiate between the scope of practice for a health coach and a licensed mental health professional when applying CBT-informed strategies in cancer care.
    • Apply foundational CBT techniques (e.g., cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, thought records) to common coaching scenarios in cancer care.
    • Develop strategies to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns related to their cancer experience.
    • Facilitate behavioral experiments and goal setting to promote positive coping behaviors and adherence to health recommendations.
    • Utilize active listening and empathetic communication to build strong coaching alliances with clients facing cancer.
    • Address common emotional distress (e.g., fear of recurrence, body image issues, grief) using CBT-informed coaching interventions.
    • Integrate mindfulness and relaxation techniques to support clients in managing stress and anxiety.
    • Navigate ethical considerations and boundary management specific to coaching individuals in cancer care.
    • Design a personalized CBT-informed coaching plan for a hypothetical client case study in cancer care.
    • Identify appropriate referral pathways for clients whose needs extend beyond the health coaching scope of practice.

Course Outline:

Instructional Modules

Module 1: Introduction to CBT and Cancer Care (1.5 hrs)

    • CBT fundamentals, common emotional responses, coach’s role.

Module 2: (Coaching with Compassion (1.5 hrs)

Module 3: Core CBT Tools (2 hrs)

    • Thought restructuring, behavioral activation, values alignment.

Module 4: Trauma- Informed and Culturally Sensitive Coaching (1 hr)

    • Trauma principles, cultural humility.

Module 5: Ethics, Boundaries, and Collaborative Care (1 hr).

    • Scope, referrals, team collaboration

Module 6: Case-Based Application (1 hr)

    • Case scenarios, tool application, group reflection.

Module 7: Supervised Practicum (4 hrs).

    • Peer-reviewed practice coaching, feedback, and self-reflection.

CE Information:

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

Course Number: XXXX

Experts:

Dr. Alex Kirk, Clinical Psychologist, PhD

Dr. Brenda Buffington, EdD, NBC-HWC

Christopher King, BA Psychology, NBC-HWC

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

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