Building Clarity: Defining the Coaching Process

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Video Runtime: 76 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 31 Minutes

Successfully implementing a Coach Approach in healthcare requires more than just adopting new communication techniques—it requires clarity, structure, and shared understanding between clinician and client. Building Clarity: Defining the Coaching Process is course 2 of 8 in the Dive Into a Coach Approach^® 1.0 | Core Fundamentals course series. This course guides healthcare providers through foundational components that make coaching effective, including differentiating it from other therapeutic modalities, clearly communicating its purpose to patients, and establishing mutual agreements through coaching contracts. Drawing from evidence-based frameworks and coaching models, this course helps clinicians build confidence in structuring coaching conversations and introduces practical tools to support clarity, accountability, and client ownership. Designed for providers working in various care settings—such as outpatient rehab clinics, hospitals, schools, and telehealth—this course empowers clinicians to elevate their impact through more collaborative, goal-oriented interactions that support sustainable behaviour change and improved outcomes.

Compare and contrast different types of talk therapy
Select which of the four styles of coaching in healthcare may be applicable in your practice
Outline the Dive Into a Coach Approach® Framework and model
State why educating clients on the coaching process is an essential first step in a formal Coach Approach
Interpret why setting a contract is a key component of a structured coaching process
List three questions you could use in your practice to set a contract
Conclude how this technique aligns with ICF Core Competencies

Meet your instructor

Individual with long brown hair, smiling in a light blue top, on a plain white background for medbridge.

Hélène Thériault

Hélène brings more than two decades of experience in the medical field to her role as a master certified coach (MCC). Witnessing the toll of burnout firsthand, she discovered the power of the Coach Approach in her practice, benefiting both her patients’ recovery and her own well-being. Drawing on her expertise in…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Coach Approach: Model and Comparisons

This chapter explores how the Coach Approach compares to other dialogue-based interventions, such as counseling, psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioural therapy. Learners examine key differences in mindset, method, and clinician–client dynamics while becoming familiar with the core components of the Dive Into a Coach Approach® model and its integration into healthcare practice.

2. Educating Patients on the Coaching Process

In this chapter, clinicians learn how to clearly and confidently explain the Coach Approach to patients. The focus is on helping clients understand their active role in the process, managing expectations, and ensuring patients feel prepared and empowered. Practical tips and customizable education scripts support healthcare providers in laying the groundwork for successful coaching interactions.

3. Setting a Coaching Contract With Patients

This chapter introduces the concept of a coaching contract as a key strategy for clarifying session goals, aligning clinician–client expectations, and maintaining focus during the coaching dialogue. Learners explore contract-setting questions, reflect on implementation barriers, and understand how this technique aligns with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Core Competencies.

More courses in this series

Coaching Fundamentals in Healthcare

Hélène Thériault