Behaviour change in obesity and chronic disease care is complex, relational, and happens far beyond the clinic visit—so our conversations with patients need to reflect that reality.

In this episode of Scale Up Your Practice, we sit down with health psychologists Dr. Michael Vallis and Dr. Tiffany Shepherd to rethink how we teach behavioural change counselling skills. We explore the shift from transactional to relational care, the “Grand Apology” as a trust-building tool, and practical ways clinicians can co-create behavioural change with patients while navigating time and system constraints.

In this episode:

• Why behavior change is a core pillar in the Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines

• Moving from control to collaboration: the relational model in practice

• Creating safe, efficient conversations that invite patient creativity and agency

• Team impact: how these skills strengthen inter-professional care and clinician confidence

• Building competencies over time: awareness → competence → confidence

  
  

Additional resources:

• Learn more about the Advanced Obesity Counselling Certification program: https://utm.guru/ujbvU 

• Register for the November AOCC Cohort: https://utm.guru/ujbvV 

• Read the research on behavioural change counselling: https://utm.guru/ujbvW 

• Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines; Effective Psychological and Behavioural Change Interventions in Obesity Management: https://utm.guru/ujbvX 

Don’t miss the Canadian Obesity Summit 2026

Obesity Canada’s flagship scientific congress returns March 25–29, 2026, in Montréal, Québec. It’s where Canada’s obesity community comes together — researchers, and healthcare professionals— to exchange ideas, share the latest science, and put evidence into practice.

Register today: https://utm.guru/ujbvY 

📩 Have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you!

Email us at scaleuppod@obesitycanada.ca

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