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." 

Andrea S

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"I feel so much more confident going into a session with a client. While this program provides the theory basics, it provides concrete strategies and questions to use in particular situations. The coaching sessions were so valuable as Stephanie always had thoughtful answers and advice. I think every dietitian should take this program."

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!" 

Leanne Venkat

Accredited Practising Dietitian, Inpatient Dietitian

"I highly recommend this program to all dietitians. I feel my practice would be compromised if I hadn't attended and this course should be compulsory. The skills developed are essential tools for practice as dietitians. This course fills several gaps that I do not feel can be addressed at university before employment. "

Tiana Sexton

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Private Practice

"This program has improved my confidence when counselling clients. I have learnt new counselling skills and believe I am able to better help my clients reach their desired outcomes. The program was great. The group calls were very helpful. Totally worth the investment."

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."

Soraya David-Pineda

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"My consultations are more focused and have more structure. If I have clients that have not been able to make changes I feel confident in knowing suitable questions to ask. I now have the blueprint to be able to use motivational interviewing techniques. Stephanie's coaching style was perfect and I loved the program."

Catriona Courtney 

Registered Nutritionist, Private Practice 

"I loved the course, it was excellent and I am delighted I joined. I have such a better flow and time efficiency in consultations. They are now more client led than me trying to do all the heavy lifting. Clients are more engaged and delve deeper into struggles and problems.

It was also a great learning experience within the group setting and even though I didn't make some of the Q&A sessions, having the recordings and listening back, I learned something new every time. You will learn techniques that will make counselling easier and more rewarding for you and your client. To someone who is thinking of joining, I say go for it. Stephanie is thoroughly professional, patient and an expert in counselling skills."

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."

Vanessa Langille

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice 

"Before Stephanie's program, I was finding my consults to be stressful and exhausting. I was trying to provide all the answers, doing more work than my clients and it was not working.

As I go through Stephanie's program, I am learning the right questions to ask to get my clients in the driver seat of their own change and progress. I am feeling much more relaxed and confident in my counselling skills. I highly recommend this program!"

Katharina Kühtreiber

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"I now ask my clients different questions, listen patiently, have stopped providing all the information and solutions. Now my clients are coming up with their own solutions. It’s made such a huge difference already and I'm so suprised how quickly I was able to use the questions.

Stephanie is a great mentor and coach and she is providing so much information, tips and insights. You also learn a lot from the other dietitians in the group calls from their examples and struggles. I am so happy that I have joined the program. I can’t wait to get more use to using all the questions and techniques and experience the success together with my clients."

Anyea Lovette

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice 

"I thought I was losing my passion for nutrition, but it was really that I always struggled to help clients get results. Learning the importance of really digging deep into the client's why and always linking everything back this has been the biggest result for me from the program. It really seems to help me connect better with clients and be more effective.

If you're thinking of joining, just do it. This program provides you with the tools to improve your counseling skills, something missing in a lot of dietetics educational programs."

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."

Lindsay D

 Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"I don't feel I was counselling much before this program as my sessions were focused on nutrition education. I used to feel absolutely drained after a day of client sessions. I no longer feel as anxious during my 1:1 patient sessions. This program has made a world of difference to my confidence and my patients are really receptive to the changes I've made in my counselling. Stephanie's coaching style is great and she provides feedback in a very approachable way."

Antonnette K

 Dietitian, Inpatient Setting

"I thought I knew how to counsel until I took up this program but my counselling process was all over the place. It's been so valuable learning about counselling techniques, strategies and the approach that can better my practice as a dietitian when I'm counselling my patients. I now have better questioning techniques and approach to patient care and my sessions with patients have improved in so many ways. I was not taught any of this at school. This program will make a huge difference to your practice."

Kate Keirsey

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"Before working with Stephanie, my counselling process was a mixture of a bunch of stuff I had learnt, a bit haphazard and disorganised, go with the flow type situation. Now it is much more structured and intentional from the start of the client journey. My counselling skills have improved, I have more confidence and understand how to structure the counselling process. I got so much value out of the program and feel excited to get to practice these skills. This program was special as I had the ability to ask questions and get very clear answers. It goes beyond just motivational interviewing basics and random skills that are hard to piece together. If you’re thinking of joining, do it."

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!"

Lana Hirth

Accredited Practising Dietitian, Private Practice

"I joined Stephanie’s Dietitian Counselling Skills Program because I wanted to improve client outcomes, retention and my own confidence. I wanted to get better results with my clients. This program is special and provides so much support. I was surprised how individualised it was for a group program. You don't feel rushed and you always feel like Stephanie has time for you. I am now more solution focused in my practice and know how to move the client forward in an achievable and realistic way. My confidence has also increased. This program is an investment, but it is so worth it. It will transform and elevate you as a practitioner." 

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!"

Maria Koerner

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"I felt stuck with coaching my clients and unsure how to go about sessions. Now my counselling process is more strategic, focused and has more clarity for me and the clients. I am confident that I know what I’m doing in a session and I can guide a client to success. Stephanie has taught me so much and has always made sure that I understand the concepts and has helped me confidentially apply the skills. Her coaching style is clear, thorough and kind. I always felt like she was listening and taking my questions and concerns to heart. Joining this program is a great way to establish a strong foundation that will help you and your business grow. It has been the most effective and beneficial of all the programs I have participated in."

Jenna C

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"I joined the Dietitian Counselling Skills Program as I wanted to build my counselling skills to cultivate confidence within myself to then better support my clients. My counselling process didn't have much structure before I started. Now I have more structure, direction and a better idea on how to organise sessions with clients. My counselling skills have improved, I feel more confident and this has strengthened my mindset with counselling clients. I found it most valuable how Stephanie has the ability to take apart questions and explain how you can approach a scenario differently next time. I recommend this program. It will only help you grow better for both yourself and future clients."

Maria Tointon

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"My counselling process before the program was mainly providing education. Now I am asking more future focused questions, making more reflections and empowering clients to create change that is sustainable for them. My counselling skills have improved and I have more confidence handling difficult clients. This program is more than counselling. It provides a framework for coaching your clients to achieve results and reach their goals by facilitating behaviour change. If you are looking to gain more confidence in dealing with clients who are resistant to change or if you want to improve your clients’ results and retention, Stephanie's Dietitian Counseling Skills Program is worth the investment."

Brittany Winship

Registered Dietitian, Outpatient Setting

"My counselling process was too focused on education before I started the Dietitian Counselling Skills Program, Now I use more counselling techniques and instead of letting those who appear unmotivated go, I try to work with them more and figure out how to help.I have increased my confidence in counselling clients and I also have more empathy for my clients. The most valuable part of the program were the weekly calls. Being able to walk through difficult consults in real time when trying to use new techniques and information was so helpful. I recommend this program. You won’t regret it. Stephanie you have made an amazing program. I wish I would have known about this program sooner."

Madeleine S

Accredited Practising Dietitian, Private Practice

"I joined this program as I felt counselling and behaviour change was a gap in my knowledge and practice and it would hugely benefit my patients and my practice. Counselling is not something that is taught to dietitians frequently, so being able to learn from someone who is both a qualified and practising dietitian with a masters in counselling is unique and great to learn from. I feel far more confident in my counselling skills now. I spend a lot more time asking people why they want to make changes and delve deeper than just weight focused motivators. This is definitely a beneficial program for any dietitian, regardless of what area you work in. I recommend it!"

Liliek Hsiao

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"I use to cover too many things in consults prior to the program and my process was somewhat unstructured. Now my counselling process has more structure and I practice inviting the client to think of solutions instead of just instructing them on what to change. The program is special because it is specific for dietitians and it’s not only about motivational interviewing. It provides a variety of evidence-based behaviour change counselling strategies and it has helped me learn what to say to patients and how to say it. This program should be made mandatory for any dietitian going into an outpatient service or private practice. You will feel confident counselling your clients and feel less drained after your counselling sessions. There is so much value in it more than just learning counseling skill strategies. I wish I had found it earlier and joined sooner."

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!"

Rebecca B

Registered Dietitian, Outpatient Services

"Before I started working with Stephanie in the Dietitian Counselling Skills Program, I was so stressed about what to say next, and didn’t relax. Now I feel much more comfortable and natural. By completing the program, I’ve gotten out of my own head and relaxed. Both my counselling skills and my client retention have improved!  Stephanie is very personable, and makes sure that everyone has their individual needs met. I LOVE how she takes her time during communication. That was something I wanted to learn. If you’re thinking of working with Stephanie, I recommend it!

Laura V

Registered Dietitian, Private Practice

"It was a great course and it exceeded my expectations. I feel that it will really help me engage with future clients and help to coach clients better. Stephanie presented everything clearly with lots of useful examples to apply to my practice. It was good to be able to ask Stephanie questions weekly."

Stephanie Seekamp

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Private Practice

"I approach appointments with my clients completely different now. My focus is on them, where they are and let them take the reigns. I have more patience and compassion not just for my clients but for myself. I loved Stephanie's coaching style. She is very receptive and knowledgeable."