The Future of Behavior Change in Healthcare: Clinical Integration, Systems Thinking and the Institute for Behavior Change

“Your client isn’t failing. Their brain is overwhelmed. Grief is not just emotional, it’s neurological. When you understand the brain, you stop misinterpreting your clients.” Dr. Teresa Angle-Young

In this episode of CoachConnect, Dr. Diego Salinas and Jennifer Lundman (founder of the Institute for Behavior Change and former director of program approval at the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches) dig into one of the most important conversations happening in the coaching profession right now: how do we scale behavior change in healthcare in a way that actually works?

Jennifer opens with her origin story. From wilderness therapy and juvenile justice to community development in Mexico City, she has spent her entire career creating space for people to find their own way forward. That philosophy led naturally into coaching, and eventually into asking much harder questions about whether the field was truly ready for what healthcare systems actually needed.

She unpacks the hundreds of conversations she had with health systems, providers, nurses, and researchers before founding the Institute for Behavior Change. What she heard surprised her. Healthcare providers were not asking for more coaching. They were asking for clinical readiness, shared terminology, documentation standards, and professionals who could meet them where they are, not knock on their door from the outside.

Together, Diego and Jennifer explore why behavior change does not belong to any one profession, why evolving the field requires a systems solution rather than a singular fix, and how the Institute for Behavior Change built three parallel organizations; the Institute, the Academy for Behavior Change, and the Foundation for Behavior Change to address the clinical, community, and research dimensions of the problem simultaneously. They also discuss the upcoming Catalyst Convening and the new Clinical Health and Well-Being Coach certification.

Jennifer Lundman, MSW, LCSW – Founder & CEO, Institute for Behavior Change & DSW Candidate

Jennifer Lundman is a master social worker, licensed clinical social worker, and doctoral candidate in social work at USC. Her career has spanned children and families, wilderness therapy, juvenile justice, disability services, school systems in Mexico City, and community development, all grounded in the belief that lasting change comes from creating space for people to help themselves.

National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches

Jennifer served as Director of Program Approval for Continued Education at the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches, where she developed deep insight into where the field was thriving and where critical gaps remained. Her time at the organization, and the hundreds of conversations she had after leaving it — became the foundation for what would become the Institute for Behavior Change.

Institute for Behavior Change

Jennifer is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Behavior Change, a mission-driven organization advancing behavior change integration into health and human care. The Institute leads the development of the Clinical Health and Well-Being Coach certification, a credential designed to prepare coaches for complex clinical settings, and drives advocacy efforts with health systems, providers, and policymakers. The first certification exam application opens in June.

Academy for Behavior Change

Jennifer also co-founded the Academy for Behavior Change, a professional association and community home for anyone working in behavior change;  coaches, nurses, physicians, occupational therapists, mental health professionals, and more. Founding membership is open for a limited time and includes voting rights to shape the organization’s future direction.

Foundation for Behavior Change

The Foundation for Behavior Change, the third organization in the ecosystem, recently received its 501c3 status and focuses on research integrity, scholarships, workforce diversification, and ensuring coaching services reach the communities that need them most.

Catalyst Convening

Jennifer is hosting the inaugural Catalyst Convening. It is an in-person gathering of 150 thought leaders on July 31st through August 2nd at the University of Missouri, designed to challenge assumptions, spark new ideas, and move the field forward collectively.

Dr. Diego Salinas is the host of CoachConnect.

Dr. Diego Salinas is a neuroscientist, physician, and health coach. He is passionate about helping coaches grow their impact in the health and wellness space.

As the co-founder of Vibly, he equips coaches with the tools and support to build thriving practices and create lasting change.

Blending medical expertise with coaching experience, Dr. Salinas specializes in behavior change, mental well-being, and the role of coaching in healthcare. On CoachConnect, he explores the strategies and successes of top coaches, sharing actionable insights. A strong advocate for coaching in healthcare, he speaks at industry events and works to make quality coaching more accessible.

CoachConnect with Dr. Diego Salinas is a podcast for coaches looking to grow their impact, refine their strategies, and navigate the evolving world of health and wellness coaching.

Dr. Diego Salinas has a question for coaches and coaching industry leaders: “What makes coaching a powerful force for change?” In this podcast series, he sits down with top coaching professionals to uncover their insights, strategies, and personal journeys.

Each episode of CoachConnect delivers real-world strategies, success stories, and expert perspectives on coaching, mental well-being, and business growth, helping coaches at all levels unlock their full potential.