Handbook

When working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, effective communication and support strategies are critical in establishing client-practitioner collaborations in clinical settings that enable client exercise adherence and independence. In this subject, students will apply various psychological, ethical, and culturally appropriate principles and strategies to facilitate lifestyle modification and support exercise behaviour change in clients with a range of chronic conditions and their families. Such strategies include analysing client readiness for change in sensitive, empathetic, inclusive and nonjudgmental ways, negotiating with clients to help them articulate goals for exercise, and using appropriate language, communication and counselling skills to facilitate and support client autonomy and long-term self-management. These skills will be assessed through responses to case studies, a mock motivational interview and a comprehensive final exam. The learning experiences employed to complete the assessment tasks include: online modules; independent readings; case studies; audio-visual demonstrations; authentic scenarios that apply cultural competence and ethical practice in clinical exercise settings; the psychology of living with chronic conditions; models of behaviour change and exercise psychology strategies; health counselling strategies; and facilitating long-term client self-management.