When I became a dietitian in my late 30s, I thought I was changing careers. I previously worked in marketing communications as a writer and editor. Looking back, I now realize that nutrition counseling employs the same skills that marketers use, i.e., getting to know your audience, finding out what motivates them, and delivering messages that resonate and motivate action. After a dozen years in practice, I've learned a lot from my patients about how they eat, how they feel about food, and what affects their eating behaviors. With this information, I have grown as a nutrition counselor, focusing not just on motivational interviewing, but on effective messaging as well.

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For patients, wanting to take action is one thing. But understanding why certain actions are effective can solidify a person's intent. For health educators, our challenge is to translate complicated health information in ways that are accessible and practical. Understanding behavior theories, health literacy, and learning styles informs how we provide information. From writing and speaking in plain language to using graphics to increase both knowledge and self-efficacy, effective health communications can empower long-term change.

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In my book, Think Like a Dietitian: A Nutrition Counseling Starter Kit, I bring these concepts together to provide practical guidance on

• establishing rapport with a patient.

• mindful listening for tailored interventions.

• anticipating frequently asked questions and eating behaviors.

• key messages that resonate and motivate.

• providing patient education for a wide range of health literacy and learning styles.

• nurturing empathy, communicating compassion, managing implicit bias, and developing cultural competence.

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On SmallPlatesCE.com, I look forward to developing more practical tools for dietitians at all levels of experience, while providing CDR-approved continuing education credits. 

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I look forward to learning with you.

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Sincerely,

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