How coaches fit into the STAND System?

Certified STAND coaches support the digital program by helping participants review and practice skills and strategies. Research has shown when digital programs are supported with coaching, participant success and engagement increases.

How does coaching work from a participant perspective?

After reviewing a topic online at their own, participants schedule a session with a certified coach to review and practice that week’s skills. Coaching sessions are 20-30 minute meetings held 1:1 over Zoom. Depending on the topic, participants are able to schedule between six and eight sessions with a coach. They may meet with a different coach each week. All coaching activity is supervised via a tiered model, overseen by licensed clinicians.

Who are STAND coaches?

STAND coaches are undergraduate, graduate, and community volunteers who have received extensive training to help participants learn practical skills for self-management of low mood and anxiety.

Who is being coached?

Participants in all STAND programs that use digital programs, including STAND at ELAC, STAND for All, and the STAR program, are offered support from certified STAND coaches.

How are STAND coaches trained?

We use a cohort model to train coaches over 15 weeks to develop (1) supportive communication skills, (2) a deep understanding of STAND principles, skills, and tools, and (3) documentation skills. This training is provided by graduate students and licensed clinicians.

We expect a 5-10 hour weekly commitment for coaches in training; time is spent in group sessions, role-plays, and independent study. Coaches must demonstrate ongoing progress and eventually competency through quizzes and mock demonstrations of skills in order to become certified.

What is expected of a certified coach?

Certified coaches meet weekly to discuss coaching sessions and learn from peers under the supervision of a licensed clinician or graduate student. We expect coaches to commit to a minimum of 1 coaching session per week.

How do I become a coach?

UCLA Depression Grand Challenge opens coach recruitment on an as needed basis. If you are interested, apply now or if the application isn’t open right now, express interest here.

How did STAND coaching get started and how many people have been trained to date?

STAND Coaching was founded in 2017 as the Resilience Peer Network by Dr. Elizabeth Gong-Guy to support the first implementation of STAND at UCLA. To date, we have trained over 700 coaches.