Cognitive Behavioral Health Coaching

for Sleep Health

Course Description:

This 12-hour advanced training prepares NBHWC-certified coaches to support individuals experiencing sleep challenges such as insomnia, poor sleep hygiene, and stress-related sleep disturbances. Through a cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) lens, participants will explore the psychological, behavioral, and environmental contributors to sleep problems. Coaches will gain tools to help clients improve sleep quality, restore circadian rhythms, and implement sustainable sleep-promoting habits.

Register & Pay
Please Notify Me When This Course is Open for Registration

Target Audience:

This course is designed for National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWCs) and other professionals supporting clients with sleep-related challenges. The target audience includes coaches working in primary care, behavioral health, integrative and lifestyle medicine, chronic disease management, workplace wellness, and community health settings. It is especially relevant for those helping individuals experiencing insomnia, irregular sleep-wake cycles, stress-related sleep disruption, or sleep impacted by chronic conditions such as anxiety, depression, obesity, or pain.

This course provides science-based coaching strategies to promote healthy sleep behaviors, circadian rhythm regulation, and client-driven lifestyle change—all within the NBHWC Scope of Practice.

Course Overview

Estimated Course Length:  12

CE Credits:  12

CE Information:

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

Course Number: CEA-100118-2

Learning Objectives:

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

  • Understand the fundamentals of sleep physiology and sleep cycles    
  • Identify key factors that contribute to chronic sleep difficulties    
  • Apply CBT-I-informed coaching tools for sleep restructuring and stimulus control    
  • Coach clients through common barriers such as racing thoughts, anxiety, or poor sleep hygiene   
  • Recognize clinical thresholds requiring referral to sleep specialists    

Course Outline:

Module 1: Healthy vs. unhealthy sleep & common sleep problems (2 hrs) – Stages of sleep and circadian rhythm – Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome overview – Health impacts of chronic sleep disruption    

Module 2: Circadian rhythm & sleep drive (2 hrs) – The two primary biological drivers of sleep and how these control sleep    

Module 3: Assessment & sleep case formulation (2 hrs) – Assessing sleep problems and behaviors related to sleep coupled with case formulation of various sleep difficulties    

Module 4: Circadian-informed sleep hygiene (2 hrs) – Application of circadian rhythm and sleep drive to informing sleep hygiene strategies    

Module 5: Stimulus control & sleep restriction (2 hr) – Application of CBT-I skills for relevant behavioral sleep problems    

Module 6: Special circumstances & medications/supplements (2 hrs) – Addressing unique sleep circumstances, reviewing common medications for sleep problems, and full case conceptualization review    

Instructional Format & Assessment:

Format:     

  1. 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.    

2.  Reading Materials:    

  • Case Studies: Written scenarios that describe client situations, allowing learners to apply theoretical knowledge to practical coaching challenges.    

3.  Program Assessment Criteria:    

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

  • Completion of all modules: All assigned course modules and associated learning activities must be fully completed.    
  • 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%.    

Instructional Method:

Asynchronous/On-Demand

Participation Costs:  $400

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  

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  

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     

Accessibility Accommodations:

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

Scroll to Top