Communicating for behaviour change. Presented by Sharon Curtain, Dietitian
Helping clients harness motivation and recognise strengths to achieve their health and wellbeing goals.
Supporting meaningful behaviour change is a core role of exercise physiologists. Sharon offers us a calm and clear presentation of very practical skills for communicating to facilitate behaviour change in a clinical setting. Throughout we are reminded that the language we use can empower our clients, increasing their motivation and confidence for change. Communication can be the bridge between our clinical knowledge and the client’s experience of consistent health behaviours. Such a critical link in our impact and yet, these skills tend not to form a core part of our undergrad training.
The typical exchange of information in a healthcare setting tends to involve us asking questions and listening for answers. Within this model, our insight is limited by the questions we ask. The answers are filtered through our lens which further limits the range of options available to us in devising a plan/advice/education. As an alternative, Sharon offers actionable skills in active listening, evoking questions, reflections, summaries and affirming language. We learn how these skills promote autonomy and self-efficacy; affirming our client’s central role in looking after their health.
This is for practitioners who want to be more effective at supporting their client's move toward consistent health behaviours. This is for practitioners who are willing to adapt communication to assist their clients to recognise their strengths and commitment towards change. A positive sign that we are on the right path?- our clients are doing more talking than us!
*FREE* Accredited by ESSA and available to download or stream now.
The ESSA Professional Development Committee certifies that this Professional Development offering meets the criteria for 1 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Points.
Sharon Curtain is a dietitian and health coach with twenty years' experience in clinical and corporate nutrition. She is the creator and author of the nationally accredited Victoria University Diploma of Health Coaching. Alongside Shivaun Conn, Sharon has created Accredited Health Coaching Australia delivering online health coach training courses for health professionals, incorporating evidence-based health behaviour change interventions and techniques that promote self-efficacy, self-determination and self-responsibility.