Cognitive Behavioral Health Coaching

for Smoking Cessation Recovery

NBWHC-Approved

About the course:

This 12-hour NBHWC-approved specialty training prepares certified coaches to support clients in reducing or quitting tobacco and nicotine use using a cognitive behavioral health coaching model. Coaches will learn the biological, psychological, and social foundations of nicotine addiction, develop coaching skills aligned with evidence-based smoking cessation strategies, and integrate trauma-informed, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing approaches. Participants will build skills in supporting clients through ambivalence, withdrawal, relapse prevention, and long-term behavior change.

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Course Overview

Estimated Course Length:  12

CE Credits:  12

Course Includes

Smoking Cessation Coaching Toolkit

    • CBT Worksheets for Nicotine and Tobacco Use
    • NBHWC Scope of Practice & Ethics Guide for Addiction-Adjacent
      Coaching
    • Articles, behavior change templates, and access to curated
      podcast/media resources.

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:

Target Audience: This course is intended for NBHWC-certified coaches working with clients who are actively attempting to quit smoking or reduce tobacco use. The target audience includes coaches in primary care, corporate wellness, public health, and community-based programs who want to apply CBT-informed techniques to support cessation, relapse prevention, and long-term behavior change. The training is appropriate for coaches working independently or as part of interdisciplinary teams addressing nicotine dependence and overall health improvement.

Prerequisite:

NBHWC Certification

Instructional Method:

Asynchronous

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: 8/5/25

Learning Objectives:

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

    1. Describe the neurobiology of nicotine addiction and withdrawal.
    2. Identify common cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns in tobacco use.
    3. Apply CBT-informed tools for managing cravings, triggers, and self-defeating thoughts.
    4. Use trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches in cessation coaching.
    5. Integrate harm reduction and motivational interviewing strategies ethically.
    6. Support clients using nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) within scope.
    7. Demonstrate coaching competence through a supervised practicum.
    8. Recognize red flags and appropriately refer to clinical support when needed.

Course Outline:

Instructional Modules

Module 1: Nicotine Use & Smoking Cessation Basics (1.5 hrs)

Relevant Core Competencies: 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6
    • Neurobiology of nicotine addiction, withdrawal symptoms, patterns of use, overview of NRT and e-cigarettes.

Module 2: Understanding the Emotional and Social Triggers (1.5 hrs)

Relevant Core Competencies: 5.2, 5.1
    • Stress, shame, boredom, anxiety, social habits, stigma, building motivation to quit.

Module 3: CBT Tools for Smoking Cessation Coaching (2 hrs)

Relevant Core Competencies: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
    • Identifying thought distortions, planning for cravings, cognitive reframing, behavior replacement strategies

Module 4: Coaching Through Relapse and Withdrawal (1 hr)

Relevant Core Competencies: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
    • Supporting clients post-lapse, compassion-based accountability, preparing for withdrawal symptoms and low-mood periods

Module 5: Health Equity, Trauma, and Harm Reduction (1 hr)

Relevant Core Competencies: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4
    • Coaching diverse populations disproportionately affected by tobacco marketing, trauma-informed boundaries, gradual reduction strategies

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

Relevant Core Competencies: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
    • Real-world coaching scenarios on quitting and relapse prevention, peer discussion and reflective feedback

Module 7: Supervised Practicum (4 hrs)

Relevant Core Competencies: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5
    • Submission of recorded coaching sessions, feedback from instructors, self-assessment and growth plan

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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