Cognitive Behavioral Health Coaching

for Eating Disorder Recovery

NBWHC-Approved

About the course:

This 12-hour advanced training prepares NBHWC-certified coaches to ethically and effectively support individuals in recovery from eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other disordered eating patterns. Grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and Health at Every Size® (HAES) principles, the course equips coaches with tools to foster body respect, food neutrality, emotional resilience, and collaborative recovery—all while staying within the coaching scope of practice and integrating with clinical care teams.

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Course Overview

Estimated Course Length:  12 hours

CE Credits:  12

Course Includes

Materials Provided:

    • Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching Toolkit
    • CBT Worksheets for Body Image and Food Behaviors
    • Scope of Practice & Ethical Guidelines in ED Coaching
    • HAES® and Culturally Responsive Care Resources • Client Language Templates for Weight-Neutral Support

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.

Reading Materials:

    • 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 specialty training is intended for NBHWC-certified coaches working with clients recovering from disordered eating patterns, including binge eating, restrictive eating, and bulimia nervosa. The course is appropriate for coaches practicing in outpatient, partial hospitalization, or integrative care settings, and who are working in collaboration with licensed therapists, dietitians, or medical teams. Coaches seeking trauma-informed approaches to support body image healing, meal adherence, and long-term recovery maintenance will find this course especially relevant.

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:  8/05/25

Learning Objectives:

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

    • Understand the spectrum of eating disorders, common comorbidities, and treatment modalities
    • Identify emotional, cognitive, and behavioral patterns driving disordered eating
    • Apply CBT-informed tools to support body image healing, emotional regulation, and behavior change
    • Use trauma-informed and HAES-aligned strategies within coaching relationships
    • Coach clients navigating recovery while coordinating with licensed providers
    • Recognize red flags, safety concerns, and make appropriate referrals
    • Demonstrate coaching competence in a supervised practicum

Course Outline:

Instructional Modules

Module 1: Eating Disorders 101 for Coaches (1.5 hrs)

Relevant Core Competencies: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.6, 4.5
    • Overview of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, orthorexia, and ARFID
    • Diagnostic features, medical risks, and co-occurring conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression)
    • Role of coaches within a multidisciplinary treatment team

Supports NBC-HWCs in understanding eating disorders within scope, building literacy to collaborate ethically and effectively with other care providers while maintaining coaching boundaries.

Module 2: Emotional and Cognitive Dimensions (1.5 hrs)

Relevant Core Competencies: 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 4.5
    • • Body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, and emotional dysregulation
    • Shame, secrecy, and fear of weight gain
    • Building trust, nonjudgmental listening, and client-centered rapport

Enhances coach-client communication and presence while developing awareness of emotional states that influence client readiness and engagement.

Module 3: CBT Tools for Recovery Coaching (2 hrs)

Relevant Core Competencies: 2.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
    • Challenging food rules, body checking, and distorted thinking
    • Tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and body neutrality
    • Goal-setting aligned with nutrition and therapeutic care plans

Provides behavior-change techniques grounded in CBT that are within a coach’s scope of practice, reinforcing collaboration with healthcare providers.

Module 4: Navigating Relapse and Resistance (1 hr)

Relevant Core Competencies: 2.2, 2.6, 4.4
    • Understanding relapse as part of the healing process
    • Coaching through lapses, meal avoidance, and body image distress
    • Cultivating compassion and internal motivation

Equips NBC-HWCs with tools to support resilience and motivation while honoring a client’s stage of change and capacity for progress.

Module 5: Cultural Sensitivity and Ethical Care (1 hr)

Relevant Core Competencies: 1.3, 2.5, 4.5
    • HAES® and weight-inclusive care principles
    • Eating disorders across diverse racial, gender, and socio-economic identities
    • Ethical coaching boundaries and scope of practice in eating disorder recovery

Reinforces coaches’ understanding of cultural context, equity in care, and appropriate referrals while respecting individual lived experiences

Module 6: Case-Based Coaching Lab (1 hr)

Relevant Core Competencies: 2.4, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4
    • Realistic coaching simulations on eating disorder recovery topics
    • Peer-led coaching with structured feedback and debrief

Applies learning through experiential practice in simulated sessions, with guided peer feedback to refine ethical, empathetic, and effective coaching behaviors.

Module 7: Supervised Practicum (4 hrs)

Relevant Core Competencies: Supervised Practicum (4 hrs)
    • Recorded coaching session submissions
    • Instructor evaluation
    • Final debrief and written reflection on learning and growth

Supports growth through supervised experience, reflective self-assessment, and actionable feedback—all aligned with NBHWC standards.

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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