Wednesdays, September 30 – October 14th | Noon – 2 p.m. CT | Virtual via Zoom
Wednesdays, September 30 – October 14th | Noon – 2 p.m. CT | Virtual via Zoom
What is this program about?
Chronic disease now affects the majority of American adults, and Behavioral Health Professionals are uniquely positioned to help clients make the lifestyle changes that can prevent, manage, and in many cases reverse these conditions. Yet to serve clients effectively, professionals need more than motivation strategies – they need a clinically grounded framework.
This continuing education course introduces health coaches, social workers, and behavioral health and wellness practitioners to Lifestyle Medicine: an evidence-based discipline recognized by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions as the primary means of treating and preventing chronic disease.
Participants will explore each of the 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine (whole-food nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection) through the lens of practical coaching application. Drawing on current research, behavior change science, and real-world coaching tools, this course equips practitioners to confidently integrate Lifestyle Medicine principles into their existing practice.
Registration Fee | $295 per person
This course has been NBHWC Approved for 6 CEUs
Course #CEA-110016-1
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Module 1: Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine
Define Lifestyle Medicine by articulating the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s definition and the clinical evidence base that distinguishes it from general wellness coaching.
Identify the role of the health coach by describing how health coaches function within the Lifestyle Medicine framework, including the appropriate scope of practice.
Differentiate root cause and symptomatic approaches by explaining how Lifestyle Medicine addresses the upstream drivers of chronic disease compared to conventional symptom management.
Module 2: The 6 Pillars in Practice: Nutrition, Movement & Sleep
Apply whole food, plant predominant nutrition principles by describing the research supported dietary patterns recognized by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and identifying practical coaching strategies to support client nutrition behavior change.
Integrate physical activity recommendations by articulating evidence based movement guidelines and translating them into accessible coaching language for diverse client populations.
Assess and address restorative sleep by identifying key sleep hygiene principles supported by lifestyle medicine research and applying them in client coaching conversations.
Module 3: Stress, Nervous System & Social Health
Apply stress management tools in a coaching context by describing evidence based mind body and nervous system regulation strategies and guiding clients in developing personalized stress resilience practices.
Address substance use through a harm reduction coaching lens by explaining the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s evidence on tobacco, alcohol, and risky substance use and applying motivational interviewing principles to coaching conversations on avoidance.
Recognize positive social connection as a vital sign by articulating the research linking loneliness, social isolation, and relational health to chronic disease outcomes and supporting clients in strengthening their social connections.
Module 4: Coaching Application & Integration
Integrate the 6 Pillars into a whole person coaching framework by developing a coherent coaching approach that weaves all six Lifestyle Medicine pillars into client goal setting, session planning, and long term behavior change support.
Apply case based learning to real coaching scenarios by analyzing case studies drawn from common client presentations and identifying appropriate Lifestyle Medicine informed coaching strategies.
Design a personalized action plan for clinical integration by creating a concrete post course implementation plan for incorporating Lifestyle Medicine principles into their current coaching or wellness practice.
Who is my instructor?
Sara Klute Behn
Sara Klute Behn is an integrative health coach, certified yoga therapist, lifestyle medicine educator, and the creator of the THRIVE Method™ – a whole-person coaching framework designed to support sustainable behavior change. She is the host of the Your Wise Self with Sara podcast and a contract trainer with Employee & Family Resources (EFR), where she delivers corporate wellness programming to professional audiences.
Sara holds credentials including Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBHWC), Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), and is a Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional (DipACLM). Her work spans health coaching, yoga therapy, and lifestyle medicine education, with a primary focus on supporting women in midlife through whole-person wellness.
Sara brings to this course both clinical grounding and the lived experience of a practitioner who has built a thriving integrative wellness practice – making her uniquely qualified to translate Lifestyle Medicine research into practical, coach-ready tools.
continuing education terms and conditions
The Continuing Education and Outreach office reserves the right to cancel a program due to low enrollment, instructor illness, or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, participants will receive a full refund.
Please provide an active email address that you regularly check when registering, so we can contact you if a program is cancelled or rescheduled.
To cancel your registration, please email ibhwt@uwsp.edu
Live Programs: Refunds will be granted if the Continuing Education and Outreach office is notified at least seven (7) days prior to the start of the program. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than seven (7) days before the programs start date.
Self-Paced Programs: Refunds will be granted if the Continuing Education and Outreach office is notified within five (5) days of purchase, provided the program materials have not been accessed.
Registration is complete only after full payment has been received. Program fees must be paid prior to the start of the event unless otherwise noted.
Participants are responsible for ensuring their computer and internet connection meet the minimum requirements to participate in virtual programs via Zoom. For the best experience, we recommend using the Chrome or Firefox web browser. Click here to download Zoom Client for Meetings.
The Continuing Education and Outreach office is not responsible for participant technology issues, including but not limited to inadequate internet bandwidth, connectivity problems, or equipment malfunctions.
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request if made at least two (2) weeks in advance. To request accommodations, please contact Continuing Education Customer Service at 715-346-3838 or ibhwt@uwsp.edu.
