Experienced Dietitian

Over 14 years experience as a working dietitian, supervisor to other dietitians and lecturer for student dietitians

Masters of Counselling

Has a degree in social health and counselling and extensive knowledge in influencing eating behaviour change

Experienced Researcher

Involved in multiple research studies on dietitians' counselling skills and the client experience with dietitians

Fiona Young

 Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"I knew my counselling process wasn't the best but I didn't know what else to do. I thought motivational interviewing was the only answer. The counselling skills taught by Stephanie are so MUCH BETTER and BEYOND just motivational interviewing. After this program, my counselling skills are like night and day! It was amazing that I was improving so much for such a relatively small time commitment. I do so much mindset work with clients setting them up for success with change and helping them stay the course. I was already quite competent before this course, so this course wasn’t just valuable because I was really bad and it taught me the basics. I went from above average to excellent. I feel absolutely comfortable charging people more now, as I KNOW I deliver value. I feel awesome because I don’t wonder what to say or do during appointments. I exude genuine confidence, which helps my patients trust me. It’s comforting to know I’m doing the best possible job I can to help people because I’m using evidence-based behavior change counseling strategies.''

Mikaela Dawking

 Accredited Practising Dietitian

"This program has been the most valuable and effective learning I have completed since graduating. I'm much less anxious and drained by challenging consults as I have a plan and structure and tools to use as needed. The most noticeable difference from implementing the skills has been in my participants who have struggled with losing weight for many years, seeing them switch their mindset and focus away from losing weight and losing weight quickly, but focus on working on the behaviours that will get them closer to experiencing the outcomes they ultimately want from losing weight, and actually seeing them achieve these outcomes, often for the first time in their lives. I couldn't have made this progress without Stephanie. This was well worth the investment and I'm so much better for it both professionally and personally. Stephanie has made an impact in my life, so I can make a difference in others."

Melissa D'Elia

Accredited Practising Dietitian, Private Practice

"It's an amazingly helpful program. It doesn't just give you theory, it shows you how to practically apply the skills. This is what sets this program apart from others. My confidence in my counselling skills has increased and feel I can now troubleshoot anything that comes up. Client outcomes and retention have improved with these techniques. If you're wanting to make private practice your career, you need to invest in this program." 

Donna Aldaia

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"My counselling process is now more focused, efficient, and I'm asking better questions that allow the client to lead the way. Clients are setting their own action steps, achieving their goals, and as a result the sessions are more energizing and motivating. This is the only counselling program I've found that directly applies to nutrition counselling. It will re-shape your nutrition counselling practice and improve client health outcomes. I'm so happy I made the investment."

Katie Psarou

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"After 12 weeks of working with Stephanie, not only have my confidence and counselling skills excelled but my clients, myself and my whole practice have been transformed. Her coaching has such a ripple effect. This program will give you the best return on your investment. You will get more effective and efficient in your dietetic practice and become less burnt out." 

Chelsea Crawford

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"My clients' outcomes have improved and the flow of our conversations are so much better. I really liked learning essential skills we were never taught before and to bounce ideas off Stephanie. Her background and experience is unlike any other. I just wish I would have done this program sooner."

Debbie Kertesz

Accredited Practising Dietitian, Private Practice

"Before the program, I was feeling a lack of confidence in my ability to help my clients achieve the results they wanted. I loved the idea of a counselling skills program specifically for dietitians. I think I've always had a very empathetic approach but I felt unable to delve deeper into reasons why clients were not making the changes I suggested and help them work through challenges they were experiencing. Now it is more tailored to the needs of individual clients and more supportive. I am more able to work through challenges with my clients. The most valuable part of the program was Stephanie's support and the live calls. My biggest results from the program were a boost in my own self confidence that I can help my clients achieve their goals and an improvement in my client retention. I have thoroughly enjoyed the program and feel I have gained so much from doing it. Recommend it!" 

Sue Goodine

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"Since completing the Dietitian Counselling Skills Program, I ask much more open-ended questions and try hard not to make assumptions, try to remain curious and more engaged, help guide clients to find achievable goals, limit number of goals to focus on. What makes this program special is the great support and the availability of Stephanie to answer questions and review client cases through Voxer, the live calls, as well as additional information to help succeed from a business standpoint, getting to watch role plays, modules are available for lifetime review. I learned how a consult and follow-up session should flow from start to finish to help with client engagement and retention. In contrast to DCS, any counseling and MI education I completed in the past, provided the bones, such as example questions to ask, but the education was not specific to dietitians and did not bring it all together to complete a consult/follow-up in its entirety. My counselling skills have improved and so has my client retention. I recommend this program, especially to dietitians in private practice or outpatient clinics. The experience was excellent!" 

Cristina Ricioppo 

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice 

"My biggest outcome from the program so far has been an increase in my confidence to help my clients. My appointments have a plan and a structure now, and I am less drained after each visit as a result. I used to often get “stuck” during challenging consults, not sure which direction to go. This program has given me the skills to direct the conversation and keep it moving forward while keeping patient engagement high.

I would 100% recommend joining this program! I have considered other counseling skills courses in the past and even have tried learning on my own through self-study. The knowledge, guidance, and mentorship provided in this program has allowed me to progress my skills more in 12 weeks than in years of trying to figure this out on my own."

Tiffany Ma

Accredited Practising Dietitian, Private Practice 

"The biggest result from this program so far is being able to adapt my language for those clients in the precontemplation and contemplation stage of change. 

To get them doubting their current behaviours and to get them thinking that changing their eating behaviours will have a positive impact on their lives and is possible. The skills and confidence that you gain from this program are priceless and will last you for the rest of your dietetic profession."

Laurie Thenedy

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"Before this program, I felt like I kept chasing my tail when trying to counsel patients. I was mentally exhausted after seeing patients and never felt like my clients got to their end goal. Now, I have an exact game plan for how to set up client success from the start, how to navigate tricky situations and my client retention has improved. I had taken motivational interviewing courses before but they were theory based and focused on core principles. The Dietitian Counselling Skills Program combined both the principles of counselling alongside of what to actually say. Yes the program will cost you money but the cost of not having effective counselling skills is actually more expensive long term. 5 stars for this program!"

Mandy Nix

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"Before joining the program I would say my counselling skills were fair and my counselling process needed improvement. Now I have learnt many strategies and skills to have a more thorough session. Stephanie was awesome to work with. I felt very supported along the way with weekly live calls and mock sessions. It was all so very helpful. My counselling skills are now improved and so has my client retention. I loved this program!"

Emily Branch

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"I am a newer dietitian with limited training in counseling and I felt like I really needed to develop foundational counselling skills and learn which specific strategies are effective in helping clients through the behavior change process. Follow-up sessions and goal-setting is where I struggled most, not fully understanding what questions I should be asking or how I should be assessing my clients on a continuing basis. I was spending a lot of time overpreparing and worrying about what questions to ask next rather than practicing active listening. I now feel much more comfortable in follow-ups because I am more present in conversations with clients. I'm able to go with the flow of the appointment and ask probing questions when necessary, which has helped my clients be more introspective about their goals and ability to change. My client retention has also improved. I really enjoyed Stephanie's coaching style. She is nonjudgmental, validating, and always willing to help in any way that she can. I recommend this program. It can help you improve your counselling skills astronomically."

Jen M

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"I chose to work with Stephanie as I needed to improve my counseling skills and Stephanie has such a comfortable and caring approach to client care. Stephanie understands the role of a dietitian since she is one too, and the common obstacles we face. Before we started working together, I wasn't always sure how to handle confusing situations, I wasn't confident in my approach, and I struggled with clients who spoke poorly of themselves. I wasn't sure how to react or counsel clients through these scenarios. After the 12 week program, I feel more confident in my approach, I learned that much of what I was doing was great, and I learned so many new techniques. The rapport with my clients is even better than it was before. My counseling process is much smoother and my client retention has increased! Stephie and her approach are very special. She always seems to know just the right thing to say and has helped me to adopt phrases that feel right to me and my own approach. I am so happy for the world and dietitians everywhere that Stephanie is a counselor :) I wish this was offered in my undergraduate program. It is a tremendous program that builds confidence in your counseling skills and I recommend it to other dietitians."

Hannah V

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"Before working with Stephanie I was feeling frustrated with not knowing how to help certain clients, not knowing if I was effective, and feeling a lot of anxiety and exhaustion around my work. My counselling process was chaotic and full of uncertainty, giving too much information and going overtime. Now it’s much more structured, implementing forms to assist with my intake process, asking more questions, involving clients in solutions more. I have more confidence in session flow, knowing better questions to ask, and how to support clients who are just focused on weight loss or have an all-or-nothing mindset. My client retention has improved! I loved the mix between individual learning and the group-style program, I learned so much from the other members during live calls and never felt alone in the questions or concerns I had. Stephanie's coaching style offers you undivided individual attention during your concerns while also facilitating a cohesive and inclusive group environment. She is knowledgeable in many areas and effortlessly adapts her suggestions and techniques depending on your niche/clients. Working with Stephanie has forever changed my practice (and life)! I'm so glad I joined and it's absolutely worth the investment, even (especially) as a new practicing dietitian. The ongoing support during the alumni program has been wonderful!"