The Importance of Effective Coaching & Counseling Skills
to Support Client Success
If your experience was anything like mine, you probably took a nutrition counseling course at some point during your undergrad or grad program. I remember mine all too well. I had a whole semester of nutrition counseling when I was a junior in college, and let me tell you—it was one of those “growth experiences.”
In this class, we role-played case studies. Sounds fun, right? WRONG. Our professor would dramatically pull two names out of a hat like she was hosting a nutrition-themed game show. One unlucky person would play the dietitian, and the other would play the patient/client. And we all had to be prepared, every day, because you never knew when your name was going to be called. Cue the collective stress, the sweaty palms, and yes—nightmares. This was full-on performance anxiety, dietitian-style.
And let’s not forget, you had to perform these mock nutrition counseling sessions in front of your entire class. Public speaking is scary, but public counseling? That’s a whole new level of fear. On the bright side, the "patients" were always in the ideal preparation stage of change. Wouldn’t it be nice if real-life clients were that motivated?
Since then, I’ve met many dietitians who had even less training in nutrition counseling than I did! And even if you did get a taste of it in school, seeing real clients is a completely different game. You go from feeling like you’re studying for a nutrition counseling exam to playing a high-stakes match in an entirely different sport—like showing up to a tennis match with a hockey stick.
What You Do Moving Forward Is Up To You
Fast forward to my early career, and I quickly realized that while I’d aced my coursework, my actual nutrition counseling and coaching skills were… well, not quite where they needed to be. Motivational interviewing? Coaching? Sure, I knew the buzzwords, but that’s about where it ended.
I knew I needed help—
a lot
of help. So, I dove into every resource I could find: courses, books, supervision. I was also fortunate enough to work with therapists at a substance use rehab facility who practically lived and breathed behavior change. They talked about motivational interviewing like it was the holy grail of client success. I thought, “Sure, I get it—ask open-ended questions. What’s the big deal?”
Why is Motivational Interviewing Important?
Turns out, it was a big deal. I quickly realized I had massively underestimated the power of motivational interviewing and solid coaching skills. These weren’t just “nice to have” tools; they were the key to successful sessions. The difference between a client walking away ready to crush their goals and a client who forgets everything you just talked about before you even finish saying goodbye.
And guess what? I’m not the only one who’s had this realization. A whopping 93.7% of dietitians report they need additional training on communication for behavior change. (And I suspect the other 6.3% may be in denial?).
While many of us focus on mastering medical nutrition therapy—which is super important, don’t get me wrong—we sometimes neglect the crucial skills that actually help clients change their behavior. After all, how we communicate matters just as much as what we communicate.
Ready To Elevate Your Nutrition Counseling & Coaching Skills?
If you’re nodding along and realizing that maybe your nutrition counseling and coaching skills could use a little boost, you’re not alone—and I’ve got you covered.
In October 2024, I’m launching the Elevate Nutrition Counseling Skill Building Program, a four-month deep dive into motivational interviewing and advanced coaching skills for dietitians like you. If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level with hands-on supervised practice and comprehensive feedback, this program is for you. By the end, you’ll have the confidence and expertise to transform your client sessions and increase retention like never before.
Not quite ready to commit to four months? No worries. You can still get a taste of these essential skills by joining my
Empowering Change Membership, where we’ll dive into a 90-minute session focused exclusively on motivational interviewing in December 2024. It’s the perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills without a long-term commitment
Successful Nutrition Sessions Start with a Strong Connection
Whether you’re a seasoned dietitian looking to fine-tune your coaching strategies or just starting out and realizing there’s more to counseling than you thought, remember: success is about more than just knowing your stuff—it’s about
connecting with your clients in a way that sparks real, lasting change.
If you’re ready to enhance your motivational interviewing skills, boost client retention, and become a true expert in nutrition counseling, join me in one of these programs. Your clients—and your confidence—will thank you.
Nutrition.Counseling.Academy
Email: Joyce@nutritioncounselingacademy.com
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