Course Description
Many current and future clients of health and wellness coaches may experience diagnosed depression or sub-threshold depressive symptoms. Physical activity and other lifestyle strategies have long been recognized as beneficial for overall health, and growing scientific evidence highlights their positive effects on mental health. As such, it is important that health and wellness coaches are familiar with the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and depression, and how they can support clients in a safe, client-centered way.
Society, as well as the broader health and wellness community, has increasingly recognized the importance of mental health. This progress helps reduce stigma and encourages individuals with depression to seek support. This course was developed for NBC-HWC health and wellness coaches to help them support clients experiencing depression using evidence-informed strategies.
The content of this course was created by a team of experts from medicine, biochemistry, public health, epidemiology, and behavioral health. All material is grounded in scientific research and peer-reviewed publications.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the role of physical activity, lifestyle behaviors, and wellness practices in supporting individuals experiencing depression.
- Identify evidence-informed strategies that may promote mental wellbeing and enhance quality of life among clients with depressive symptoms.
- Apply practical, client-centered coaching approaches to support behavior change, motivation, and engagement in health-promoting activities.
- Recognize common barriers to participation, adherence, and behavior change among individuals experiencing depression and implement appropriate coaching strategies to address them.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the health and wellness coach’s scope of practice when working with clients affected by depression.
- Support clients safely and effectively through evidence-based coaching techniques that encourage sustainable lifestyle changes and overall wellbeing.
