The Clinical Health Coach® Training program has supported the healthcare workforce for more than a decade. Throughout the years, both healthcare and our daily lives have undergone significant change. Yet one thing remains clear: the need for skilled clinical health coaching is as strong as ever. The training continues to help healthcare professionals strengthen patient engagement, communication, and support more effective care delivery.
For 2025, HealthTeamWorks has revised and updated the Clinical Health Coach® Training to be more engaging, user-friendly, and impactful for today’s patient-facing roles. We spoke with Kristen Stine, lead trainer and primary architect of the revamped Clinical Health Coach® program, to learn what participants can expect from the updated experience.
HealthTeamWorks: What motivated the changes to Clinical Health Coach® Training, and how do they enhance the learning experience for participants?
Kristen: Honestly, time was the biggest motivator. So many things have changed since the first cohort, including the availability of and comfort with technology. Before the pandemic, training was primarily conducted in person, which is very costly to attend and present. Employer expenses include registration, travel, possibly meals and accommodations, and lost time. For the trainer, the cost is similar for multiple resources. So many organizations are trying to do more with less that we thought we needed to make the program more robust.
HealthTeamWorks: What can participants expect regarding structure, engagement, and real-world application?
Kristen: There are significant changes to the structure. Again, technology gave us more educational options, and past participants’ feedback indicated they most valued the time spent practicing or applying the learning. So, we’ve moved the “learning” part of learning and development to online interactive courses. We then spend time in live virtual sessions reviewing and applying the materials through activities, including coaching practice. We previously offered three practice sessions for the vFusion participants and nothing for the online participants. Now, we aim to include coaching triads or dyads in nine of the twelve sessions of vFusion, and effective April 1st, we are now offering online participants the opportunity to attend three vFusion sessions so they can participate in the coaching practice sessions.
HealthTeamWorks: How does the training support those new to coaching versus those with prior experience?
Kristen: The materials provide a foundation and structure for coaching, introduce the skills, and validate learning through activities. This allows everyone to level set on the knowledge aspect of the training. However, the key to the program is collaborative learning and skill development in virtual sessions. These sessions foster a sense of community, allowing for group discussion and best practices sharing. And finally, the coaching practice sessions allow everyone to learn from each other by observing different coaching styles and experience levels, further strengthening this supportive community.
HealthTeamWorks: What excites you most about these updates?
Kristen: Honestly, everything! I took this program over ten years ago, achieved the Certificate of Competency, and then coached other participants to pass their competency evaluation. So, I believe that transforming the conversation can transform the care. For too long, we’ve talked about patient engagement as if it’s solely the patient’s responsibility to become actively involved in their healthcare. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about the challenges patients experience, but we haven’t completely bought into partnering with them to find their best path to optimal health. The updates to the Clinical Health Coach Training program are not just changes, they are opportunities for transformation. They get us closer to developing a true partnership with our patients, and that’s what excites me most about these updates.
HealthTeamWorks: What else would you like potential participants to know?
First, there is some work involved. The time we spend practicing skills depends on everyone keeping up with the online courses. Second, you’ll benefit greatly from peer learning. It is so valuable to share experiences, processes, and resources and create a network you can reach out to when you’re stumped. Clinical health coaching is a tough job, and many participants have dual roles in their practice. It’s reassuring to know you’re not alone, and the peer learning aspect of the program will provide a strong support system.
HealthTeamWorks: How can those interested in joining register for the online program or the next vFusion cohort?
Please visit https://healthteamworks.org/chc-v-fusion/ to read more about the program and register.
Meet the Trainer – Learn more about Kristen Stine HERE.
