How To Find The Right Coach Training For You
Does this sound like you?
- You are interested in becoming a professional coach.
- You are in the market for a coach training.
- While doing research, you realized there are many coach training providers to choose from.
- You are wondering how to pick the best coach training when there are so many options available.
If so, this article will help you find the right coach training for you.
If you resonate with this experience then you are in the right place, and we have some guidance for you.
Every week, we speak to prospective students who are eager to find a coach training that makes sense for them. Therefore, we’ve decided to share 7 things we encourage students to consider and ask when picking the right coach training for themselves.
7 areas to consider for yourself and ask to find the right coach training
1. ICF Accredited
One of the best barometers for good coach training is making sure the training is ICF accredited. Anyone who wants to get an ICF (International Coaching Federation) credential will need to complete a certain amount of coach-specific education hours. Accredited training providers offering Levels 1, 2 or 3 will be best able to support you in getting the hours you need for a credential as they have already been approved by the ICF as an organization providing coach training in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies, Ethics and Standards. Majority of the curriculum needs to be ICF focused versus complementary skills.
Things to ask: Are you an accredited coach training provider for the ICF? How many coach education hours will I get with your program? Are mentorship and performance evaluations included in the price? Is your program Level 1, 2 or 3 accredited or a CCE (Continuing Coach Education) accredited program? How much of the coach training is based on the coaching skills and not other modalities? And any other questions you might have.
2. Alignment with your intended coaching approach
When looking for coach training, make sure that the training is aligned to the values, philosophy and approach that you want to embody as a Coach. Look at the website and read the mission, vision or guiding principles of the coach training organization, to feel if there is a match. Check out the stories or About sections of the people running the organization or delivering the curriculum. You should feel aligned with the essence of the training provider you choose.
Things to ask: What are the top 3 values of your training organization? What’s the story behind your coach training program? Where is the training organization headed? What’s the community like? And any other questions you might have.
3. Delivery
The delivery of the coach training can be an important component to consider. Some coach trainings are offered solely online and include international students from all over the world. Other coach trainings are in-person only. And some offer a hybrid approach of virtual and in-person combined. Get curious about if the coach training is asynchronous (self-directed only) or synchronous (done live virtually or in-person).
Things to ask: How is the coach training delivered: virtual or in-person? Are the program materials asynchronous only, synchronous only or a combination of both? What learning styles does the program take into consideration? What’s the general flow of a live session, if applicable? How big are the cohorts? What’s offered after the program for Alumni? And any other questions you might have.
4. Application
A good coach training will support you with application, not just information. Anyone can google processes, tools and exercises for a coaching container. The value of coach training is being able to apply what you have learned and actually deliver coaching to your Client. We believe that you should complete a coach training and be able to take someone through a coaching container from beginning to end while feeling confident that you have all the pieces you need to do so. Get curious if any additional resources are provided in terms of a coaching business, delivery of the coaching process or any other support to you as a new Coach.
Things to ask: What materials are provided as part of the coach training? Can I ask questions about niche, offers or general business questions during the coach training? How much does the coach training support me in learning how to take someone through a whole coaching container? And any other questions you might have.
5. Affordability
Pricing will most likely be on your list of considerations, and for good reason. The price point of the coach training needs to make sense for you and your finances. The coach training needs to address coaching skills, coaching delivery of the skills and set you up for credentials. Those pieces need to be there regardless of the price point. If these pieces are addressed then you can pick a coach training that is affordable for you while feeling confident that you get what you need to be an impactful Coach.
Things to ask: How much does the coach training cost? What’s included in the cost? Are there any additional costs I haven’t considered yet? What’s the payment plan option, if at all? What discounts might be available, if at all? And any other questions you might have.
6. Vibe check through a discovery call
One of the best ways to find the right coach training for you is to complete a Discovery Call (also called Consult or Chemistry calls) with the coach training provider. Joining a coach training is a commitment. Therefore, it’s important to connect with the coach training to make sure you are able to connect, hear and ask questions of the coach training for the greatest alignment possible. Listen for the essence, trust and safety and the presence of the person with whom you are speaking. You will be able to catch a vibe of who and what this coach training stands for.
Things to ask: What’s your connection to coaching? How did your coaching journey begin? What’s your favorite thing about coaching? What coach training have you completed? What do you wish you knew about coach training while looking for the right fit? And any other questions you might have.
7. Go with your gut
Ultimately, check-in with your intuition to sense what feels good to you. You will know when something is aligned or not for you. Use your mind, body and spirit as check-in points to know what’s next for you.
Ask yourself: What does my mind say about this coach training? What does my body say about this coach training? What does my spirit say about this coach training? Or any other check-in points you want to use to access your own internal guidance system.
Even though there are many coach trainings to choose from, there is an opportunity to approach your search with clarity around your personal and professional goals and how coach training aligns with those goals.
Find a coach training that supports your credentialing needs, aligns with who you are and the work you intend to do, delivers the curriculum in an accessible way to you, offers you the ability to work with Clients right after completion of the program for return on investment, is affordable, passes the vibe check and feels good to your mind, body and spirit.
Holistic Coach Training Institute
Our Holistic Coach Certification Programs (Level 1 and 2) are available to you as well. If you are looking for an ICF accredited program that has a holistic approach in its delivery and process, then schedule a vibe check with us and ask some of the questions you see here.
Schedule a Discovery Call here and one of our team members will connect with you, share the essence of who we are and how we deliver our coach training so you can feel if it’s a fit for you.
Beverly Sartain MA, CAP, PCC
President of the Holistic Coach Training Institute
Beverly Sartain is the President of the Holistic Coach Training Institute, where she trains aspiring coaches on coaching skills and business set-up. The Holistic Coach Certification Programs are ICF Level 1 and Level 2 accredited and focus on a holistic approach to coaching. During her ten-year career in nonprofits, she managed and developed domestic violence and co-occurring residential programs. Beverly is a Certified Addictions Professional. She has her PCC (Professional Certified Coach) from the ICF. Beverly enjoys helping professionals empower themselves around their skill set and online coaching business.
Contact Beverly at [email protected].
Or contacted through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevsartain/.