Communication Skills for Health Coaches

Expert-defined terms from the Specialist Certification in Health Coaching for Cancer Patients course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.

Download PDF Free · printable · SEO-indexed
Communication Skills for Health Coaches

Active Listening is a technique used by health coaches to understand and respond… #

Active Listening is a technique used by health coaches to understand and respond to the concerns of their clients, it involves fully concentrating on what the client is saying, understanding their perspective, and responding in a way that shows they are being heard, this can be applied in a health coaching session by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and summarizing what the client has said.

Adherence refers to the degree to which a patient follows the recommendations an… #

Adherence refers to the degree to which a patient follows the recommendations and advice given by their health coach, it is an important aspect of health coaching as it can have a significant impact on the patient's health outcomes, health coaches can improve adherence by setting realistic goals, providing support and encouragement, and monitoring progress.

Advocacy is the process of supporting and promoting the interests of a particula… #

Advocacy is the process of supporting and promoting the interests of a particular group or individual, in the context of health coaching, advocacy involves empowering patients to take an active role in their healthcare, this can be done by providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the healthcare system and assert their rights.

Alternative Therapies refer to treatments and interventions that are not part of… #

Alternative Therapies refer to treatments and interventions that are not part of conventional medicine, these therapies may include acupuncture, herbal remedies, and massage therapy, health coaches may recommend alternative therapies to their clients as a way of complementing their conventional treatment.

Behavioral Change is a process where an individual changes their behavior in ord… #

Behavioral Change is a process where an individual changes their behavior in order to improve their health, this can involve adopting healthy habits such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, or avoiding unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking, health coaches can support behavioral change by setting realistic goals and providing ongoing support.

Biofeedback is a technique used to help individuals become more aware of their p… #

Biofeedback is a technique used to help individuals become more aware of their physiological responses, such as heart rate and blood pressure, this can be done using electrodes and other equipment to monitor the body's responses, biofeedback can be used to help individuals manage stress and anxiety.

Cancer Survivorship refers to the period of time after a cancer diagnosis and tr… #

Cancer Survivorship refers to the period of time after a cancer diagnosis and treatment, during this time, individuals may experience a range of physical, emotional, and psychological challenges, health coaches can support cancer survivors by providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

Care Coordination is the process of organizing and managing a patient's care, th… #

Care Coordination is the process of organizing and managing a patient's care, this can involve communicating with healthcare providers, coordinating appointments and treatments, and providing support and guidance to the patient, health coaches can play a key role in care coordination by facilitating communication and empowering patients to take an active role in their care.

Client #

Centered Care is an approach to healthcare that focuses on the needs and preferences of the individual, this involves listening to the client's concerns, respecting their autonomy, and involving them in decision-making, health coaches can provide client-centered care by focusing on the client's unique needs and tailoring their approach to meet those needs.

Cognitive #

Behavioral Therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, this can be done by identifying and challenging negative self-talk, practicing relaxation techniques, and developing coping skills, health coaches can use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help clients manage stress and anxiety.

Communication Skills are essential for health coaches, these skills include a… #

Communication Skills are essential for health coaches, these skills include active listening, clear and concise language, and empathetic understanding, health coaches can use communication skills to build trust and rapport with their clients, and to facilitate effective communication.

Comprehensive Care is an approach to healthcare that involves considering … #

Comprehensive Care is an approach to healthcare that involves considering all aspects of an individual's health, including physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, health coaches can provide comprehensive care by assessing the client's overall health and developing a personalized plan to meet their unique needs.

Confidentiality is the principle of keeping a client's personal and medical info… #

Confidentiality is the principle of keeping a client's personal and medical information private and secure, health coaches must uphold confidentiality in order to build trust and respect with their clients, this can be done by using secure communication methods and storing client information in a safe and secure location.

Cultural Competence is the ability to understand and respect the cultural belief… #

Cultural Competence is the ability to understand and respect the cultural beliefs and values of diverse populations, health coaches can demonstrate cultural competence by learning about different cultures, avoiding stereotypes and biases, and providing care that is sensitive to the client's cultural needs.

Dietary Counseling is the process of advising clients on healthy eating habits a… #

Dietary Counseling is the process of advising clients on healthy eating habits and nutrition, health coaches can provide dietary counseling by assessing the client's nutritional needs, developing a personalized meal plan, and providing ongoing support and guidance.

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize and understand emotions in on… #

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize and understand emotions in oneself and others, health coaches can develop emotional intelligence by practicing self-awareness, recognizing emotional cues, and responding in a way that is empathetic and supportive.

Empowerment is the process of enabling individuals to take control of the… #

Empowerment is the process of enabling individuals to take control of their health and well-being, health coaches can empower clients by providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions, supporting them in their goals, and encouraging them to take an active role in their care.

Energy Medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that involves balancing<… #

Energy Medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that involves balancing and harmonizing the body's energy, this can be done through techniques such as acupuncture, reflexology, and meditation, health coaches can use energy medicine to help clients manage stress and promote overall well-being.

Evidenced #

Based Practice is an approach to healthcare that involves using the best available evidence to guide decision-making, health coaches can stay up-to-date with the latest research and apply evidence-based practices to their work with clients.

Family Support is the process of providing emotional and practical suppor… #

Family Support is the process of providing emotional and practical support to the families of clients, health coaches can offer family support by listening to their concerns, providing education and guidance, and connecting them with resources and services.

Goal Setting is the process of identifying and achieving specific… #

Goal Setting is the process of identifying and achieving specific health and wellness goals, health coaches can support clients in setting and achieving their goals by helping them identify their motivations, developing a personalized plan, and providing ongoing support and guidance.

Health Belief Model is a theoretical framework that explains how individuals for… #

Health Belief Model is a theoretical framework that explains how individuals form beliefs and attitudes about their health, health coaches can apply the health belief model to their work with clients by understanding the client's perceptions and addressing any misconceptions or barriers to health behavior.

Health Coaching is a process that involves guiding and supporting … #

Health Coaching is a process that involves guiding and supporting individuals in achieving their health and wellness goals, health coaches can use a variety of techniques and strategies to help clients overcome obstacles and develop healthy habits.

Health Literacy is the ability to read , understand , and apply</… #

Health Literacy is the ability to read, understand, and apply health information, health coaches can support clients in developing health literacy by providing clear and concise information, using plain language, and encouraging them to ask questions and seek help when needed.

Holistic Care is an approach to healthcare that involves considering all… #

Holistic Care is an approach to healthcare that involves considering all aspects of an individual's health, including physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, health coaches can provide holistic care by assessing the client's overall health and developing a personalized plan to meet their unique needs.

Integrative Medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that involves combi… #

Integrative Medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that involves combining conventional and alternative therapies, health coaches can use integrative medicine to help clients manage chronic conditions and promote overall well-being.

Lifestyle Counseling is the process of advising clients on healthy lifestyle hab… #

Lifestyle Counseling is the process of advising clients on healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise, nutrition, and stress management, health coaches can provide lifestyle counseling by assessing the client's lifestyle habits, developing a personalized plan, and providing ongoing support and guidance.

Mind #

Body Therapies are a group of therapies that focus on the connection between the mind and body, these therapies may include meditation, yoga, and hypnosis, health coaches can use mind-body therapies to help clients manage stress and promote overall well-being.

Motivational Interviewing is a technique used to help individuals identify</b… #

Motivational Interviewing is a technique used to help individuals identify and overcome ambivalence and resistance to change, health coaches can use motivational interviewing to help clients develop the motivation and confidence they need to make healthy changes.

Narrative Medicine is an approach to healthcare that involves using story… #

Narrative Medicine is an approach to healthcare that involves using storytelling and narrative techniques to understand and address the client's experiences and concerns, health coaches can use narrative medicine to help clients process and make sense of their health journey.

Nutrition Counseling is the process of advising clients on healthy eating habits… #

Nutrition Counseling is the process of advising clients on healthy eating habits and nutrition, health coaches can provide nutrition counseling by assessing the client's nutritional needs, developing a personalized meal plan, and providing ongoing support and guidance.

Oncology is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and… #

Oncology is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer, health coaches who specialize in oncology can provide support and guidance to cancer patients and their families, and help them navigate the healthcare system.

Palliative Care is an approach to healthcare that focuses on relieving th… #

Palliative Care is an approach to healthcare that focuses on relieving the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, health coaches can provide palliative care by assessing the client's needs, developing a personalized plan, and providing ongoing support and guidance.

Patient #

Centered Care is an approach to healthcare that focuses on the needs and preferences of the individual, this involves listening to the client's concerns, respecting their autonomy, and involving them in decision-making, health coaches can provide patient-centered care by focusing on the client's unique needs and tailoring their approach to meet those needs.

Personalized Medicine is an approach to healthcare that involves tailoring</b… #

Personalized Medicine is an approach to healthcare that involves tailoring treatment and care to the individual's unique needs and characteristics, health coaches can use personalized medicine to help clients receive the most effective and appropriate care.

Pharmacology is the study of the actions and effects of drugs, hea… #

Pharmacology is the study of the actions and effects of drugs, health coaches who have a knowledge of pharmacology can help clients understand their medications and manage potential side effects.

Physical Activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, health coach… #

Physical Activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, health coaches can encourage clients to engage in regular physical activity by assessing their fitness level, developing a personalized exercise plan, and providing ongoing support and guidance.

Psychological Support is the process of providing emotional and psycholog… #

Psychological Support is the process of providing emotional and psychological support to clients, health coaches can offer psychological support by listening to their concerns, providing education and guidance, and connecting them with resources and services.

Self #

Care is the practice of taking care of one's own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, health coaches can encourage clients to prioritize self-care by providing education and guidance on healthy habits and supporting them in developing a self-care plan.

Self #

Efficacy is the belief in one's ability to succeed and achieve goals, health coaches can help clients develop self-efficacy by providing positive feedback, setting realistic goals, and supporting them in developing the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Social Support is the process of providing emotional and practical suppor… #

Social Support is the process of providing emotional and practical support to clients, health coaches can offer social support by listening to their concerns, providing education and guidance, and connecting them with resources and services.

Spirituality is the practice of connecting with something larger than one… #

Spirituality is the practice of connecting with something larger than oneself, such as a higher power or nature, health coaches can support clients in exploring their spirituality by providing a safe and non-judgmental space for them to express their beliefs and values.

Stress Management is the process of managing and reducing stress,… #

Stress Management is the process of managing and reducing stress, health coaches can help clients develop stress management skills by providing education and guidance on relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing.

Survivorship Care is the process of providing care and support to cancer… #

Survivorship Care is the process of providing care and support to cancer survivors, health coaches can offer survivorship care by assessing the client's needs, developing a personalized plan, and providing ongoing support and guidance.

Telehealth is the use of digital technologies to deliver healthcare remot… #

Telehealth is the use of digital technologies to deliver healthcare remotely, health coaches can use telehealth to provide care and support to clients who are geographically distant or have mobility issues.

Therapeutic Relationship is the relationship between the health coach and the cl… #

Therapeutic Relationship is the relationship between the health coach and the client, this relationship is built on trust, respect, and empathy, health coaches can develop a therapeutic relationship by listening actively, validating the client's feelings, and providing a safe and non-judgmental space for them to express themselves.

Trauma #

Informed Care is an approach to healthcare that involves recognizing and responding to the needs of individuals who have experienced trauma, health coaches can provide trauma-informed care by creating a safe and supportive environment, using trauma-sensitive language, and avoiding triggers and re-traumatization.

Wellness is the state of being healthy and thriving , health coache… #

Wellness is the state of being healthy and thriving, health coaches can support clients in achieving wellness by providing education and guidance on healthy habits, supporting them in developing a self-care plan, and connecting them with resources and services.

Whole Person Care is an approach to healthcare that involves considering … #

Whole Person Care is an approach to healthcare that involves considering all aspects of an individual's health, including physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, health coaches can provide whole person care by assessing the client's overall health and developing a personalized plan to meet their unique needs.

Women's Health is the branch of medicine that deals with the unique healt… #

Women's Health is the branch of medicine that deals with the unique health needs of women, health coaches who specialize in women's health can provide support and guidance to women on issues such as reproductive health, menopause, and osteoporosis.

June 2026 intake · open enrolment
from £90 GBP
Enrol