Health & Lifestyle Coach
Course Details

PROGRAM CONTENTS and OVERVIEW

Your on-line Health program contains 24 streamed video courses that are designed to be taken over a 16 week period, with several of the courses having Parts I, II and III. These professionally filmed, edited and delivered video courses are filmed during live presentations at Boston area hospital and medial centers, including the Leahy Clinic, Harvard Medical School conferrence center, the Tufts School of Medicine NE Medical Center and other Harvard affiliate hospitals. The curriculum is provided in a structured format that invites you to complete one (1) course per week for 16 weeks. After the completion of the course work a proctored Final Exam is required, along with a self-directed 3 client paracticum and Final Paper for certification.

The courses are presented in a specific sequence to provide the learner with a truly integrated body of knowledge, as one course builds onto the next course to ultimately give the learner “the whole picture of health”®.The learner can, however, take up to 10 months to complete the entire program.

The courses presented in your curriculum fulfill the requirements for inclusion as a Health Coach and Whole Health Advocate in Healthways Inc. national insurance networks including Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Humana and others.

The courses have been approved for professional continuing education contact hours for nurse professionals, certified dieticians and nutritionists, social workers, therapeutic massage and body workers, fitness professionals and personal trainers, certified yoga instructors, Reiki practitioners, chiropractors and acupuncturists.

HOW TO PROCEED WITH YOUR STUDIES

Each on-line “classroom” provides a streamed media course, a biographical sketch of the instructor, a course outline, course handouts and an evaluation form required for the continuing education contact hours. You may print and download all the course materials which are conveniently provided in each "on-line classroom".

Once you have registered for your program you receive this Study Guide along with the
URLs and passwords necessary to access your courses you will be provided a Table of Content, listing the courses in the order you are required to view them and submit for evaluation. You are required to submit your evaluation form at the same time you submit your course assignment to receive your CE contact hour certificate.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Each on-line course requires the learner to submit a course assignment, which is a written response to the Learning Objectives listed on the left hand side of the course outline.

The learner is requested to provide succinct, clear, non-narrative responses to the Learning Objectives. The responses to the Objective, designed to elicit the information the learner retained from the course presentation, are intended to demonstrate the leaner’s ability to express the information in a demystified and easy to understand language and style. This skill set will serve the patients and clients of the learner to make sustainable lifestyle changes for health recovery and wellness.

A Course Assignment Template is provided to make your assignment writing and submission easy and well organized. Outside research is not required.

 

The NIWH Whole Health and Lifestyle Coach training provides health information that will empower your clients to take greater control of their
life, health and longevity.

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PROGRAM INCLUDES 24 COURSES:

• Digestive Function, Nutrition and Weight Control
  To possess an authentic understand of human nutrition, the role of digestion and how it relates to health and disease states is critical. This course explores, from an integrated big picture perspective, the structure and function of the digestive system and how it affects human nutrition. Also included is additional curriculum on Weight Loss & Dieting.
  
  
• Obesity: Hidden Factors     
  This presentation looks beyond the problems of over eating and the lack of exercise as causes to obesity and examines the hidden causes contributing to the escalating rates of obesity seen today in the U.S. and around the globe. Nutritional as well as environmental factors are discussed. Statistics as well as information on how to reverse this disturbing trend is presented.
  
  
• Nutrition: Food Biochemistry
  A foundational course in food bio-chemistry, cell function and the role of vitamins and minerals are covered in this nutrition science presentation. This course provides a foundation for understanding "the big picture" of human nutrition. Discusses: chlorophyll, photosynthesis; fertile soil; vitamin function, mineral function, the function and importance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Designed to provide the learner with an authentic understanding of how human nutrition works on a cellular level.
  
  
• Metabolic Syndrome
  Metabolic Syndrome is a complex of hormonal and metabolic responses which lead to obesity, high blood pressure, increased risk for heart disease, type II diabetes and other syndromes. This course examines the mechanisms of metabolic syndrome and offers solutions for reversing and preventing this condition.
  
  
• Introduction to Exercise Physiology Parts I - III
  Prepared with an understanding of exercise physiology, we can prevent disease and enhance the quality of life for chronically ill patients. How the body reacts to acute as well as chronic stress is correlated with activities and corresponding exercises. We will discuss the principles of exercise physiology and the nutrition of the cells, most especially the production of ATP and energy. Exercise principles and their application in patient recovery, along with the ways in which fitness induced changes, allow for improved function of all body systems.
  
  
• Inflammation and Disease
  The body's response to accumulated or chronic chemical stress is inflammation. This inflammatory response, over time, results in various chronic and life threatening pathologies and disease states. This presentation examines the causes of inflammation, its prevalence in disease states and how to prevent or reverse this condition.
  
  
• Anatomy & Physiology Parts I–V
  An Integrated, Whole Health and Evidence-Based Curriculum
  The objective of the integrated anatomy and physiology courses is to demystify and simplify the body's systemic inter-relationships. Each system and organ is explained through a perspective which includes five aspects of health: physical, chemical, emotional, environmental and spiritual. This unit includes:
• Brain Function, Hormones and Behavior
• Adrenal Function and Stress
• Muscles and Bones
• The Immune System
• Cardiac Whole Health
  
  
• Psychology of Stress
  This presentation will identify the nature of stress, the body's response to stress in both acute and chronic stages and what specific physiological changes take place as a result of stress adaptation. This information can facilitate an individuals understanding of how to avoid chronic stress and maintain their wellness. Discussion topics include: the mind / immune link, the principles of psychological conditioning and stress reduction techniques for nutrition, wellness and health education coaching and counseling.
  
  
• Mindful Listening
  Critical to the healthcare professional is the ability to mindfully dialog with their clients. Mindful listening and mindful speech are skills which we can develop through awareness and practice. This important course explores how we can improve our communications in all our relationships.
  
  
• Brain Function and Nutrition
  Understanding brain function is one of the most critical issues facing health care professionals today to be able to assist their patients with the cascade of neurological and brain disorders being experienced in the US. These disorders include ADD, ADHA, autism, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, senility, Parkinson’s disease, multiple Sclerosis and a host of others. This course provides the cutting edge nutrition science being used today to address these disorders and bring relief to those suffering these conditions.
  
  
•  Whole Person Nutrition Part I & II
  This course will enhance your knowledge of nutrition and its impact on health. Included in the class are the most important nutritional research findings related to health and well-being. Topics covered include: how organic food is different from conventional foods; sprouted grains vs milled grains, the role of fruits and vegetables in health and healing, and the effects of stress on nutritional requirements.
  
  
• Nutrition: Blood and Genotype
  This presentation offers research evidence to support how blood type and genetics play a role in an individual's health, nutrition and longevity. Based on data and research collected by noted experts and supported with evidence-based science, a model of evaluation for genetic markers and blood type are presented for addressing chronic disease and health maintenance thru dietary lifestyle changes.
  
  
• Principals of Coaching Parts I and II
  This two part course presents and explores the foundational aspects of coaching with discussions on the principals of the art and psychology of coaching. The “Gremlin” and the “Greatness” are presented with a solid framework to structure and understand the coaching process and relationship building aspect of coaching.
  
  
• Nutrition Research
  This presentation provides current research studies from around the world which demonstrate important information and data on the three major causes of death in the U.S. and around the world. Heart disease, cancer and type II diabetes data and research provide insights and clues into the prevention and nutritional treatment of these life threatening conditions.
  
  
• Functional Medicine
  Functional medicine is the new paradigm for the practice of medicine and health care. Grounded in a cause and effect model of problem solving health care, functional medicine explores health and wellness from a whole person, whole health perspective. The practice of functional medicine affirms the importance of approaching health care from a Whole Health Education model which educates the individual on the cause and effect of their disease state and what they can do to regain or maintain their health and wellness.
  
  
• Peer Counseling: Enhancing Patient Relationships
  Developed for the self-directed Externship portion of the curriculum, this course is a unique opportunity to gain the tools and skills necessary to engage in a whole health peer counseling. Topics covered include: aspects of role, behaviors to be avoided, guidelines for peer counseling and the "how to" of utilizing peer counseling while providing patient care. This information may be used to enhance relationships with patients, peers and family.

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