Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching

Discover how building rapport and working with strengths allow coaches to build connections, develop trust, and create safe and productive coaching environments.

Discover coaching techniques and frameworks that facilitate deep connections and help coaches guide their clients in adopting behavior changes and developing self-compassion when they face challenges.

Learn about the power of positive psychology and how coaches can use it to foster resilience in their clients, allowing them to overcome obstacles and thrive even in the face of adversity.

Identify clients’ readiness to change and utilize behavior modification strategies related to exercise and nutrition.

Apply behavior modification techniques related to sleep, stress, social connections, and risky substances, and examine the concept of a personal lifestyle pyramid.

A lifestyle and wellness coach helps individuals adopt and maintain healthy behaviors by applying principles of lifestyle medicine, such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and sleep. Through Harvard Medical School’s Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching program, you can explore these evidence-based approaches and develop practical frameworks to support your clients in achieving sustainable health goals. The program offers structured coaching techniques and the necessary tools to guide clients toward lasting improvements in their overall well-being.

Program fees are listed on the official program page. The cost includes access to video lectures, interactive assignments, guest speaker sessions, and the Lifestyle Coaching Journal. Flexible payment options are often available, making it easier for professionals to enroll in the program and advance their skills in lifestyle health and wellness.

The value of Harvard Medical School’s Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching program lies in its evidence-based curriculum, interactive design, and focus on practical application. Participants explore real-world coaching scenarios, build communication and empathy skills, and learn to integrate lifestyle medicine into various wellness contexts.

Becoming a lifestyle and wellness coach involves developing a strong foundation in coaching and behavioral science. The Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching program from Harvard Medical School provides research-based approaches, communication techniques, and reflective exercises to help professionals enhance their ability to support clients in achieving long-term health goals.

Participants learn to integrate lifestyle medicine into coaching through modules on communication, positive psychology, resilience, and behavior modification. Guided by Harvard Medical School faculty, the program helps learners apply the six pillars of lifestyle medicine when coaching clients on nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, and social connection.

The Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching program is designed for health coaches, fitness professionals, medical practitioners, and individuals interested in lifestyle health and wellness. It is suitable for those seeking to enhance their coaching practice or apply evidence-based lifestyle strategies to improve personal well-being.

This lifestyle and wellness coaching course combines Harvard Medical School’s academic rigor with practical coaching tools. Participants engage in scenario-based assignments, create a reflective Lifestyle Coaching Journal, and explore the Foundational Lifestyle Pyramid framework developed by Dr. Beth Frates, a pioneer in lifestyle medicine.

A lifestyle coach typically focuses on helping clients improve their overall life balance, while a wellness coach emphasizes physical health and preventive behaviors. The Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching program from Harvard Medical School combines both approaches, allowing professionals to address nutrition, exercise, stress, and social well-being together.

The curriculum centers on lifestyle medicine, emphasizing the prevention and management of chronic illness through behavior change. Participants study the six pillars — nutrition, physical activity, stress management, restorative sleep, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances — and learn how to effectively guide clients in these areas.

Harvard Medical School integrates behavioral science, coaching principles, and evidence-based research into this Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching program. Additionally, faculty and guest experts provide practical insights on how to apply these principles in professional and personal health settings.

How do I know if this program is right for me?

After reviewing the information on the Lifestyle Coaching for Sustained Behavior Change program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions about whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.

Are there any prerequisites for this program?

Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.

Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English, and proficiency in English is required.

What is the typical class profile?

More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.

What other dates will this program be offered in the future?

Check back with this program web page or email us to inquire whether future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.

How much time is required each week?

Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.

How will my time be spent?

We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:

• Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty

• Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule

• Reading or engaging with examples of core topics

• Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities

• Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers

• Completing your final project, if required

The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and gaining an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.

What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

More than 300,000 learners across 80 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes, the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner, the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.

How do I interact with other program participants?

Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.

What type of certificate will I receive?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.

The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.

Will I earn a professional certificate, CEUs, PEUs, academic credits when I complete the program?

This program does not grant academic credits, CEUs, PEUs or professional certificate from Harvard Medical School. This program does not grant academic credit and does not provide certification as a professional coach. This non-degree program offers a certificate of completion to participants who meet the program requirements.

Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certificate. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.

How long will I have access to the learning materials?

You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 24 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?

Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.

Do I need to be online to access the program content?

Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.

Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.

What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?

The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.

• Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).

• Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.

What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.

I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.

How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.

Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.

How can I obtain a W9 form?

Please connect with us via email for assistance.

Who will be collecting the payment for the program?

Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.

Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?

Program fees for Emeritus programs with Harvard Medical School may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.

What is the program refund and deferral policy?

For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.