Here, you will explore how you can assist clients to make lasting lifestyle changes through motivation, planning, and accountability. You will also examine different elements to be taken into account during an initial coaching session.
Foundations of Effective Behavior Change Coaching
Foundations of Effective Behavior Change Coaching
This course is part of ACE Health Coach Professional Certificate
Instructor: American Council on Exercise
Access provided by IT Education Association
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
7 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Use motivational interviewing, CBT principles, and SMART goals to support sustainable lifestyle change.
Conduct effective initial coaching sessions using agreements, assessments, and interview skills to build rapport.
Apply the ACE cycle, values-based coaching, accountability, and problem-solving to support lasting behavior change.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Taught in English
Recently updated!
January 2026
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your Basic Science expertise
This course is part of the ACE Health Coach Professional Certificate
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate from American Council on Exercise
There are 8 modules in this course
What's included
3 readings
What's included
8 readings2 assignments
What's included
9 readings2 assignments
What's included
10 readings2 assignments
What's included
1 reading
What's included
3 assignments
What's included
1 reading1 assignment
What's included
3 readings
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor
Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Explore more from Health
American Council on Exercise
Wesleyan University
Case Western Reserve University
National Academy of Sports Medicine
¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.