Module 2: Evidence-Based Coaching Skills for OT Practitioners

Just for OT: Practitioner to Coach Program

An 11-week, 44-hour live virtual course focused on coaching skills for occupational therapy practice.
This course is Module 2 of 5 in the Just for OT: Practitioner to Coach Program, a structured continuing education pathway designed specifically for occupational therapy practitioners. Completion of Module 1 is a prerequisite for enrollment in Module 2. Each module builds on the previous content to support progressive development of coaching-informed occupational therapy practice.

Module 2 focuses on developing practical coaching skills that support client engagement, follow-through, and self-management within occupational therapy practice. The content emphasizes collaborative, client-centered approaches that align with occupational therapy values and scope, particularly when working with individuals managing chronic conditions and ongoing health needs.

Format

Live, virtual course with self-directed and synchronous components

Total Hours

44 instructional hours over 11 weeks

Target Audience

Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapy Students, Occupational Therapy Assistant Students. 

Level

Introductory

Category

Occupational Therapy Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge

Instructional Methods

Live and recorded lectures with presentation slides, Guided reflection activities, Curated additional resources, Case study scenarios, Practical application exercises, Interactive discussion, Small group skills practice with structured feedback

A few words about this course

Occupational therapy practitioners are trained to support change, yet many report challenges helping clients move from intention to sustained action. This course is designed for practitioners who want to strengthen their ability to collaborate with clients, respond to ambivalence, and support meaningful behavior change without stepping outside occupational therapy scope or ethics.

Participants will build skills through guided practice, feedback, and case-based application that reflect real-world occupational therapy contexts.



You will Learn Evidence-Based Coaching Techniques Including: 

  • Therapeutic presence
  • Values-aligned goal setting
  • Motivational interviewing skills
  • Client readiness for change
  • Self-efficacy development
  • Client education & health literacy
  • Action planning
  • Cognitive behavioral techniques 
  • Appreciative-Inquiry
  • Health behavior change strategies
  • Cultural humility in practice
  • Social determinants considerations

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:

1) Describe evidence-based coaching intervention techniques for supporting health behavior change in clients with chronic conditions.

2) Identify the most appropriate coaching intervention techniques based on client needs and readiness for change.

3) Explain how health behavior change interventions should be adapted based on cultural factors and social determinants of health.


Agenda & Weekly Schedule

Participants enroll in either the Thursday or Saturday cohort and are expected to attend live sessions on their selected day. With instructor approval, participants may attend the alternate cohort on a limited basis to prevent absences. Each cohort includes two designated backup dates. If an instructor-led session must be canceled, the curriculum will shift by one week and the cohort will meet during a scheduled backup week. Participants are expected to reserve availability for these backup dates when enrolling.

Weekly Agenda

This schedule applies to each weekly class

Before Class
Recorded lecture (1-hour)

3-hour Live Session

  • Introduction and questions from recorded content (20 min)
  • Instructor overview and skill framing (40 min)
  • Breakout room skill practice and feedback in pairs (75 min)
  • Group share-out and discussion (30 min)
  • Closing & wrap up (15 min)





Thursday Evening 
8 PM - 11 PM Eastern
June 25
July 9
July 16
July 23
August 6
August 13
August 20
August 27
September 10
September 17
September 24
October 1 (Back up week 1)
October 6 (Back up week 2)



Saturday Morning Cohort
9 AM - 12 PM Eastern
June 27
July 11
July 18
July 25
August 8
August 15
August 22
August 29
September 12
September 19
September 26
October 3 (Back up week 1)
October 8 (Back up week 2)

Course Completion and Cancellation Policy

Course Completion:  To receive CEU credit, participants must complete all 44 instructional hours, including required recorded content and live session participation. Participants may miss up to two live sessions across Modules 1 and 2 combined and view the corresponding recordings with instructor approval. On occasion, and with instructor approval, participants may attend a live session with the alternate cohort; attendance at the alternate session does not count as an absence.

Participants must pay for the module 2 in full, complete a post-course evaluation, and complete an exam with a passing score of 70% to receive credit.


Learner Cancellation: A full refund is available if cancellation is received at least 24 hours prior to the start of Module 2. No refunds will be issued once Module 2 has begun.


Organization Cancellation or Schedule Changes: If a live session must be canceled due to instructor illness, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, the curriculum will shift by one week and the class will be held during a designated backup date. Participants are expected to maintain availability for two backup dates. If a participant is unable to attend a backup date, no alternate date will be provided.


Program Cancellation: If the program is canceled by Aspire OT, all registered participants will receive a full refund.

Special Needs and Accommodations: Please contact the Program Director for any special needs or accommodation requests at jschwartz@aspireot.us

What OTs and OTAs are saying

“It’s relevant in the field of OT as it can directly affect our patient’s daily lives and activities as well as functional ability, treatment, performance and outcomes.”


— Occupational Therapy Practitioner in Jaclyn's Course OTs Role in Medication Management

“I would recommend this course to other practitioners to educate them on our role with medication management and how we can help patients and also our treatment as well.”

— Occupational Therapy Practitioner in Jaclyn's Course OTs Role in Medication Management

“Very organized and informative overview of the topic; included information to take and apply immediately.”

— Occupational Therapy Practitioner in Jaclyn's Course OTs Role in Medication Management
Instructor bio
Click here to check out Jaclyn's company "Health Coach OT": https://www.healthcoachot.com/

Listen to her podcast: https://healthcoachot.podbean.com

Jaclyn Schwartz, PhD, OTR/L 
Aspire OT Instructor

Dr. Jaclyn K. Schwartz, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, NBC-HWC is an occupational therapy practitioner and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach with over 15 years of clinical experience across acute care, early intervention, outpatient, and community-based settings. In her clinical roles, she has used coaching-informed interventions to support behavior change, self-management, and follow-through with individuals and families managing complex health needs.

Dr. Schwartz completed advanced training in health and wellness coaching and holds board certification through the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. Her coaching practice is grounded in evidence-based behavior change theory and integrated within occupational therapy services, rather than practiced as a separate or parallel role.

As a clinician-researcher, Dr. Schwartz has led NIH-funded research focused on medication adherence and health behavior change, with an emphasis on translating evidence into practical, ethical, and scope-aligned approaches that can be implemented in real-world practice. She has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and is recognized for her contributions to the profession, including induction into the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Roster of Fellows.

Dr. Schwartz teaches in the Just for OT: Practitioner-to-Coach program, where she focuses on helping occupational therapy practitioners develop coaching skills that strengthen collaboration, support client autonomy, and enhance professional sustainability within occupational therapy practice.


DISCLOSURES
Financial: Jaclyn is compensated as an Aspire OT instructor
Non-financial:  Jaclyn is the Director of Health Coaching at Health Coach OT in Collaboration with Aspire OT
Logo AOTA Approved Provider
Aspire OT is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 15418 This Hybrid activity is offered at 4.4 CEUs, Introductory Level, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery, Professional Issues, Foundational Knowledge.
The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA or indicate AOTA approval of a certification or other professional recognition.
The 33 live hours for this module are

Registered with CE Broker

Aspire OT reports directly to CE Broker for those states that require it: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee.

  • CE Broker Tracking Number: 20-1380908
  • Individuals must complete the required steps to set up their Aspire OT account. You can view those steps here. 
  • Course completions are reported within 48 hours.
  • Refer to our FAQ for more information.
The 11 self-paced hours for this module are

Registered with CE Broker

Aspire OT reports directly to CE Broker for those states that require it: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee.

  • CE Broker Tracking Number: 20-1380922
  • Individuals must complete the required steps to set up their Aspire OT account. You can view those steps here. 
  • Course completions are reported within 48 hours.
  • Refer to our FAQ for more information.

Course Author

image of logo: purple triangle with 3 point orange star in middle, left tip coming out of triangle, words below Aspire OT
This course is being offered by Aspire OT.