Health & Wellness Coaching Board
Exam solution 2025
Coach prep for session- overview (prior to session prep) - review materials, eliminate
distractions, be mindful calm, and present.
Initial Intake coaching session
Describe
Review
Determine
Clarify
Allow
Confirm - 1.) Describe coaching process,
2.) Review info & assessments provided,
3.) Determine if coaching is appropriate.
4.) Clarify roles & expectations;
5.) Allow client to self determine their vision, goals, and action steps; & actively engages
in new behaviors.
6.) Confirm logistics and responsibilities in written agreement.
session opening - ask how the client is, use reflections. Ask positive inquiry about
previous week, reflect something positive, ask client to select goal to review
Early coaching session (1 or 2) competencies (5 total)
Assess
Identify
Explore/Clarify
Establish/Refine
Support - 1.) Assess current & optimal state of health & well being,
2.) Identify gaps between current & optimal states.
3.) Explore/Clarify priority areas of focus, and learning preferences and accountability
4.) Establish/refine client's specific short term and long-term goals
5.) Support the client in achieving goals, action steps, back up plans
Routine Ongoing Sessions- overview (5 total)
Ask about the:
Refer to shifts in the
Support the client in:
Reflect the client's:
Closing: - 1.) client's current state (e.g., energy, mood);
2.) client's state, facilitate review of previous action steps,
3.) defining new action steps,
4.) understanding, perspectives, and learning.
,5.) Closing: the client articulates new personal discoveries.
Routine Ongoing Sessions general order: - client self assesses state
goal review
topic of importance
short term smart goals
new action steps
take-aways
appreciating client's work
feedback on coaching
Goal Review - explore full experience, starting with positive
use reflections, expands inquiry about best experience, respond to challenges with
reflections/inquiries, affirms client strengths, inquire about percentage of success
FINAL SESSION:
Invite the client to reflect on
Assist in developing a: - :progress made, challenges experienced, lessons learned, and
growth attained
:sustainable pathway forward and/or maintenance/relapse prevention plan including
available support and resources
Client is the expert in:
The coach provides: - :navigating his/her own life, based upon personal preferences
and past experiences.
:the structure of the session and serves as a facilitative partner.
The coach's primary role does NOT include: - a content expert or educator who
diagnoses, advises, or instructs the client on what to do.
Client's:
Share personal info/experience/recommendations only when:
Observe, name, and refer to client's:
Convey the belief that client is:
Adjust approach according to: - Client's agenda, needs, interests, and preferences drive
the relationship.
appropriate or when specifically asked/given permission to do so
:beliefs and values.
:resourceful, expert in own experience.
:client's health literacy
Demonstrate:
Convey:
Follow Through on:
Openly name and address: - :benevolence, honesty, sincerity, and authenticity
:unconditional positive regard
,:commitments
:discord/conflict as it occurs and resolve in a timely manner
The coach establishes a: - positive and safe environment where the client feels
accepted and supported, which helps the client clarify values/access motivation.
The coach's confidence in the client's ability to , ,&
supports the client's . - learn, grow, and change / self-efficacy.
The coach builds trust by attending to the client's - emotions as well as words and
behaviors; i.e., when the coach senses conflict, discomfort or confusion, the coach
acknowledges what is happening with curious interest.
The coach facilitates behavior change by empowering the client to: - self-discover
values, resources, and strategies that are individualized and meaningful.
Generative moment - identify topic, ask permission to explore, client describes what
they want, explore strengths, environments to move forward, including pros/cons,
develop discrepancy, brainstorming, express confidence in client's ability to move
forward
Active listening & Presence
Be:
Pace communication to:
Listen for:
Attend to and address:
Use silence: - 1.) attentive and mindful, open-minded, be curious
2.) fit client's needs,
3.) what is not being said,
4.) nonverbal communication,
5.) appropriately.
In addition to listening to verbal information shared by the client, the coach is attuned to
nonverbal cues which are:
The coach also notices: - expression, tone, emotions, and energy.
relevant behaviors (or lack thereof).
The coach uses to notice with and what is happening with
the client and with themselves during coaching. - mindful awareness/curiosity and non-
judgment
goal setting - ask client to choose a goal, explores support needed to ensure success,
refine goal to be SMART, use confidence ruler, client restates goal, affirm client's ability
to achieve goals
, Active listening involves using appropriately to and
allowing clients time to , , and what emerges. - silence/ "hold the
space" / reflect, process, and identify
Emotions can generate: - insight and impact the brain's capacity for learning and
change.
The coach calls attention to - positive shifts in the client's energy or emotion that may
support healthy behavior change.
The coach encourages the client to foster:
and harsh self criticism tends to lead to: - self-compassion and acceptance of emotions,
since these qualities allow a more honest appraisal of one's behaviors and better self-
care./
avoidance and undermines insight.
session close - appreciates client's work, reflects what client learned, asks for feedback
on coaching, schedules next session
Attend to the client's:
Acknowledge client's:
Ask client to describe:
Show:
Foster: - 1.) state of being (mood/affect/presence)
2.) emotions
3.) emotions when appropriate
4.) empathy (resonance with)
5.) self-compassion
Types of Reflections - Simple, Double-sided, amplified, feeling, and meaning
Reflections convey and give clients the powerful
to the sound of their own words, perspectives, and beliefs. - active
listening/ opportunity/ witness
Nonjudgmental reflections the client and inspire . - Engage/
learning
When the coach notices a discrepancy in the client's words, emotions, or behavior, a
reflection - a double sided/may raise the client's awareness of the
discrepancy.
When the coach uses an reflection, the client may reconsider aspects
of when they hear the reflection. - amplified/
resistance/exaggerated
Exam solution 2025
Coach prep for session- overview (prior to session prep) - review materials, eliminate
distractions, be mindful calm, and present.
Initial Intake coaching session
Describe
Review
Determine
Clarify
Allow
Confirm - 1.) Describe coaching process,
2.) Review info & assessments provided,
3.) Determine if coaching is appropriate.
4.) Clarify roles & expectations;
5.) Allow client to self determine their vision, goals, and action steps; & actively engages
in new behaviors.
6.) Confirm logistics and responsibilities in written agreement.
session opening - ask how the client is, use reflections. Ask positive inquiry about
previous week, reflect something positive, ask client to select goal to review
Early coaching session (1 or 2) competencies (5 total)
Assess
Identify
Explore/Clarify
Establish/Refine
Support - 1.) Assess current & optimal state of health & well being,
2.) Identify gaps between current & optimal states.
3.) Explore/Clarify priority areas of focus, and learning preferences and accountability
4.) Establish/refine client's specific short term and long-term goals
5.) Support the client in achieving goals, action steps, back up plans
Routine Ongoing Sessions- overview (5 total)
Ask about the:
Refer to shifts in the
Support the client in:
Reflect the client's:
Closing: - 1.) client's current state (e.g., energy, mood);
2.) client's state, facilitate review of previous action steps,
3.) defining new action steps,
4.) understanding, perspectives, and learning.
,5.) Closing: the client articulates new personal discoveries.
Routine Ongoing Sessions general order: - client self assesses state
goal review
topic of importance
short term smart goals
new action steps
take-aways
appreciating client's work
feedback on coaching
Goal Review - explore full experience, starting with positive
use reflections, expands inquiry about best experience, respond to challenges with
reflections/inquiries, affirms client strengths, inquire about percentage of success
FINAL SESSION:
Invite the client to reflect on
Assist in developing a: - :progress made, challenges experienced, lessons learned, and
growth attained
:sustainable pathway forward and/or maintenance/relapse prevention plan including
available support and resources
Client is the expert in:
The coach provides: - :navigating his/her own life, based upon personal preferences
and past experiences.
:the structure of the session and serves as a facilitative partner.
The coach's primary role does NOT include: - a content expert or educator who
diagnoses, advises, or instructs the client on what to do.
Client's:
Share personal info/experience/recommendations only when:
Observe, name, and refer to client's:
Convey the belief that client is:
Adjust approach according to: - Client's agenda, needs, interests, and preferences drive
the relationship.
appropriate or when specifically asked/given permission to do so
:beliefs and values.
:resourceful, expert in own experience.
:client's health literacy
Demonstrate:
Convey:
Follow Through on:
Openly name and address: - :benevolence, honesty, sincerity, and authenticity
:unconditional positive regard
,:commitments
:discord/conflict as it occurs and resolve in a timely manner
The coach establishes a: - positive and safe environment where the client feels
accepted and supported, which helps the client clarify values/access motivation.
The coach's confidence in the client's ability to , ,&
supports the client's . - learn, grow, and change / self-efficacy.
The coach builds trust by attending to the client's - emotions as well as words and
behaviors; i.e., when the coach senses conflict, discomfort or confusion, the coach
acknowledges what is happening with curious interest.
The coach facilitates behavior change by empowering the client to: - self-discover
values, resources, and strategies that are individualized and meaningful.
Generative moment - identify topic, ask permission to explore, client describes what
they want, explore strengths, environments to move forward, including pros/cons,
develop discrepancy, brainstorming, express confidence in client's ability to move
forward
Active listening & Presence
Be:
Pace communication to:
Listen for:
Attend to and address:
Use silence: - 1.) attentive and mindful, open-minded, be curious
2.) fit client's needs,
3.) what is not being said,
4.) nonverbal communication,
5.) appropriately.
In addition to listening to verbal information shared by the client, the coach is attuned to
nonverbal cues which are:
The coach also notices: - expression, tone, emotions, and energy.
relevant behaviors (or lack thereof).
The coach uses to notice with and what is happening with
the client and with themselves during coaching. - mindful awareness/curiosity and non-
judgment
goal setting - ask client to choose a goal, explores support needed to ensure success,
refine goal to be SMART, use confidence ruler, client restates goal, affirm client's ability
to achieve goals
, Active listening involves using appropriately to and
allowing clients time to , , and what emerges. - silence/ "hold the
space" / reflect, process, and identify
Emotions can generate: - insight and impact the brain's capacity for learning and
change.
The coach calls attention to - positive shifts in the client's energy or emotion that may
support healthy behavior change.
The coach encourages the client to foster:
and harsh self criticism tends to lead to: - self-compassion and acceptance of emotions,
since these qualities allow a more honest appraisal of one's behaviors and better self-
care./
avoidance and undermines insight.
session close - appreciates client's work, reflects what client learned, asks for feedback
on coaching, schedules next session
Attend to the client's:
Acknowledge client's:
Ask client to describe:
Show:
Foster: - 1.) state of being (mood/affect/presence)
2.) emotions
3.) emotions when appropriate
4.) empathy (resonance with)
5.) self-compassion
Types of Reflections - Simple, Double-sided, amplified, feeling, and meaning
Reflections convey and give clients the powerful
to the sound of their own words, perspectives, and beliefs. - active
listening/ opportunity/ witness
Nonjudgmental reflections the client and inspire . - Engage/
learning
When the coach notices a discrepancy in the client's words, emotions, or behavior, a
reflection - a double sided/may raise the client's awareness of the
discrepancy.
When the coach uses an reflection, the client may reconsider aspects
of when they hear the reflection. - amplified/
resistance/exaggerated
