A Nourishing Space: Growing Client-Centered Health Professionals

• Published in: Journal of nutrition education and behavior Vol. 56; no. 8; p. S14
• Main Authors: Brito Silva, Francilia, Honse, Samantha, Prajapati, Miteshri, Davis, Kathleen, Massey Stokes, Marilyn, Kelly, Michelle, Belt, Kara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.08.2024
• ISSN: 1499-4046; 1878-2620
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2024.05.034

Texas Woman's University (TWU) pioneered a pilot program called A Nourishing Space (ANS) for health science students in 2021. The objective was to provide training focused on behavior change, client-centered experiences, and entrepreneurship skills which are beneficial to be a successful wellness coach and future healthcare entrepreneur. ANS coaching is rooted in evidence-based theories like rogerian therapy, transtheoretical model, and social cognitive theory. ANS emphasizes collaboration between the student coach and their peer clients such that the coach acts as a curious learner and helps the client find their own answers. This approach increases client self-efficacy and leads to a higher behavior change success rate. ANS is a peer experiential learning program where student coaches provide health coaching to TWU students, thus improving their skills and experience while helping student clients build self-efficacy and knowledge to enhance their health. The training curriculum was developed by faculty and graduate assistants with health and nutrition education expertise. Starting with eight onboarding modules, faculty offered in-person and virtual training on nutrition assessment, wellness coaching, change talk facilitation, motivational interviewing, and positive psychology. Workshops featuring experts in business and entrepreneurship were also offered, addressing starting a health-related business, building a brand, and more. This curriculum enhances the student coaches' knowledge and self-efficacy in health coaching and provides them with skills to build a private practice. ANS utilized quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods such as client surveys and a statistical analysis computer software to analyze client reoccurrence data and survey results. ANS has experienced exponential client growth, expanding from 23 consultations in ‘21-’22 to over 60 students seeking health behavior change during the ‘23-’24 academic year with 70% retention of recurring clients (attending at least two sessions). ANS student coaches gained hands-on training and practice skills in communication, leadership, and health coaching, while student clients enhanced their self-efficacy to make healthy choices. Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership