NBHWC Section 1 – Coaching Structure Study Guide and Certification Exam Preparation
Material
1.1 Coach Preparation Prior to Session
What does the coach do prior to a session? - correct answer ✔✔1. Prepare: Reviews materials,
client assessments and communications
2. Arrange clear logistics for meeting times and formats
3. Get present: Eliminates distraction and clears mind; practice mindfulness, set intention, and
connect to purpose
4. Get into coaching mindset, get curious, consider initial strength-based inquiries
Why is the coach's presence important? - correct answer ✔✔1. It helps the client become calm
and receptive, which fosters self-awareness and self-discovery.
2. Reduces stress
3. Essential for genuine empathy
4. Increases sense of respect, client wholeness, connection
5. Increases intentionality, mutuality, attention, and client-centeredness
What are five concepts a coach can use to prepare for a session? - correct answer ✔✔1.
Confidence is contagious
2. What is appreciated appreciates
3. Listen for the client's needs
4. Tell the truth (empathy, authenticity, honesty)
5. Trust intuition
What is mindfulness? - correct answer ✔✔1. The nonjudgmental awareness of what is
happening in the present moment.
2. Being fully aware of and awake to where you are and what you are doing.
,3. Paying attention to thoughts, feelings, behaviors, relationships, and environments without
judgment or condemnation.
4. Slowing down and paying attention to increase consciousness
Why is mindfulness in general important to the coaching process? - correct answer ✔✔1. Helps
us break free from being on autopilot
2. Helps us experience what ACTUALLY happening, free from often unconscious assumptions
and judgments
3. Frees us to make informed decisions about new directions
4. Increased mindfulness in one area can lead to increased mindfulness in other areas of our
lives
How can a coach activate their own mindfulness prior to a coaching session? - correct answer
✔✔1. Take three deep breaths
2. Close eyes for five seconds
3. Become aware of breathing
4. Set your intention to pay attention during the coaching session
5. Say to yourself "I am grateful for this opportunity to connect and make a difference"
6. Say to yourself "I have an opportunity to make a pivotal contribution"
7. Say to yourself "I am open to and curious about what will unfold"
8. Play the "now I am aware" game
How can a coach use mindfulness to manage their own experience during a session? - correct
answer ✔✔Manage emotions by noticing, setting aside and examining the feelings later,
outside the coaching session alone or with a mentor coach.
How can a coach facilitate mindfulness during a session? - correct answer ✔✔1. Practice
mindfulness and be present, themselves
2. Offer a distraction-free workspace
, 3. Ask questions
4. Give feedback
5. Co-create assignments that increase client mindfulness
6. Start session with a moment of mindfulness or breath work
7. Invite clients into a presence practice, i.e. perceive an object from a beginner's mind, pay
attention to body/breath
When can it be useful to guide a client to be more present? - correct answer ✔✔1. When the
client seems distracted
2. When instant actions might be helpful, "do it now" kind of actions and mindsets
What are six main sections of a coaching session? - correct answer ✔✔1. Session opening
2. Weekly goal reviews
3. Three-month goal review
4. Generative moment
5. Goal setting
6. Session close
What percentage of time should a coach spend on each of the previously identified sections? Or
how many minutes within a 30-minute session - correct answer ✔✔1. Session opening (7% or
2-3 mins)
2. Weekly goal reviews (20% or 5-7 mins)
3. Three-month goal review (done monthly, 7% or 2-3 mins)
4. Generative moment (40% or 10-12 mins — can increase in longer sessions)
5. Goal setting (20% or 5-7 mins)
6. Session close (6% or 2-3 mins)
Material
1.1 Coach Preparation Prior to Session
What does the coach do prior to a session? - correct answer ✔✔1. Prepare: Reviews materials,
client assessments and communications
2. Arrange clear logistics for meeting times and formats
3. Get present: Eliminates distraction and clears mind; practice mindfulness, set intention, and
connect to purpose
4. Get into coaching mindset, get curious, consider initial strength-based inquiries
Why is the coach's presence important? - correct answer ✔✔1. It helps the client become calm
and receptive, which fosters self-awareness and self-discovery.
2. Reduces stress
3. Essential for genuine empathy
4. Increases sense of respect, client wholeness, connection
5. Increases intentionality, mutuality, attention, and client-centeredness
What are five concepts a coach can use to prepare for a session? - correct answer ✔✔1.
Confidence is contagious
2. What is appreciated appreciates
3. Listen for the client's needs
4. Tell the truth (empathy, authenticity, honesty)
5. Trust intuition
What is mindfulness? - correct answer ✔✔1. The nonjudgmental awareness of what is
happening in the present moment.
2. Being fully aware of and awake to where you are and what you are doing.
,3. Paying attention to thoughts, feelings, behaviors, relationships, and environments without
judgment or condemnation.
4. Slowing down and paying attention to increase consciousness
Why is mindfulness in general important to the coaching process? - correct answer ✔✔1. Helps
us break free from being on autopilot
2. Helps us experience what ACTUALLY happening, free from often unconscious assumptions
and judgments
3. Frees us to make informed decisions about new directions
4. Increased mindfulness in one area can lead to increased mindfulness in other areas of our
lives
How can a coach activate their own mindfulness prior to a coaching session? - correct answer
✔✔1. Take three deep breaths
2. Close eyes for five seconds
3. Become aware of breathing
4. Set your intention to pay attention during the coaching session
5. Say to yourself "I am grateful for this opportunity to connect and make a difference"
6. Say to yourself "I have an opportunity to make a pivotal contribution"
7. Say to yourself "I am open to and curious about what will unfold"
8. Play the "now I am aware" game
How can a coach use mindfulness to manage their own experience during a session? - correct
answer ✔✔Manage emotions by noticing, setting aside and examining the feelings later,
outside the coaching session alone or with a mentor coach.
How can a coach facilitate mindfulness during a session? - correct answer ✔✔1. Practice
mindfulness and be present, themselves
2. Offer a distraction-free workspace
, 3. Ask questions
4. Give feedback
5. Co-create assignments that increase client mindfulness
6. Start session with a moment of mindfulness or breath work
7. Invite clients into a presence practice, i.e. perceive an object from a beginner's mind, pay
attention to body/breath
When can it be useful to guide a client to be more present? - correct answer ✔✔1. When the
client seems distracted
2. When instant actions might be helpful, "do it now" kind of actions and mindsets
What are six main sections of a coaching session? - correct answer ✔✔1. Session opening
2. Weekly goal reviews
3. Three-month goal review
4. Generative moment
5. Goal setting
6. Session close
What percentage of time should a coach spend on each of the previously identified sections? Or
how many minutes within a 30-minute session - correct answer ✔✔1. Session opening (7% or
2-3 mins)
2. Weekly goal reviews (20% or 5-7 mins)
3. Three-month goal review (done monthly, 7% or 2-3 mins)
4. Generative moment (40% or 10-12 mins — can increase in longer sessions)
5. Goal setting (20% or 5-7 mins)
6. Session close (6% or 2-3 mins)
