Life Coach Training

Life coach training is the first step for most people who are considering a career as a life coach. Also, if you’re just getting started and know that your education path will include one of the life coach training certification credentials with the International Coach Federation (ICF), one path you can choose for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential or the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential includes an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) completion.

Requirements for the ACTP (Accredited Coach Training Programs) – for the ICF credentials:

• Coach training hours: 125 hrs
• Coaching training that would include the ICF Code of Ethics and Core Competencies
• Observed coaching sessions with an experienced personal coach: 6 as a minimum
• Final examination that shows a knowledge and competency of coaching basics

Costs for Certified Life Coach Training

You’ll find a wide range of prices when comparing the different life coach training programs online. Keep in mind if you are doing the initial coaching training to then go on and earn a credential, you’ll be looking for a complete package of study. When comparing many of the various resources, a good amount to expect for this level of training would be a range of $4000-$6000.

If your goal with training is to get a basic level of understanding and gain some fundamentals for coaching practices, you can expect to find a reputable training program for around $2000-$3000.

Another option that would cost significantly less, would be to pick up a few courses with the goal of learning some new coaching skills and the basics of life coaching. There are also various online websites that offer special products that could teach some fundamentals of coaching and running a coaching business. Keep in mind, that if accreditation is important to you, you’ll want to verify this with a particular school or individual before you commit to any program.

Structure of Training – Where do You Learn?

Most of the coaching programs are taught 100% virtually which is in alignment with how the actual coaching process will most often work, so it’s a procedure that will end up making a lot of sense. The different elements of an online life coach training course can cover a wide variety of methods including online webinars, coaching sessions via phone or Skype, online coursework and email correspondence.

Length of Time to Complete the Coaching Program

How long will it take to complete a life coach training program? For the more complete programs, you can generally expect the training to take 1 year to 1 1/2 yrs or so. This may also depend on the amount of time you are able to devote to this as well as the courses being offered at a given time. Some of the training programs may offer a speedier completion and be more self taught to help accomplish this.  Check with individual programs to determine if a course schedule will work for you.

What You Will Learn About Life Coaching

The actual coursework titles and descriptions can vary a lot depending on the training program you select, but we’ll briefly sum up the core competencies that are required by the ICF for obtaining your various credentials.

The Basics of Life Coaching

• Developing an understanding regarding the ethics of coaching
• Learning how to create an effective coaching agreement

The Client/Coach Relationship

• Learning how to establish trust and develop a supportive environment with the client
• Learning how to create a healthy, open, supportive relationship with the client

Communication Skills

• Learning to actively listen to the client
• Learning how to ask the best types of questions that will be most effective for the client’s goals
• Learning how to be direct and effective with all client communication

How to Create an Environment for Results

• Learning how to create self awareness for the client
• Learning how to help the client to take actions that will create a positive impact for his or her life
• Learning how to help your client create effective planning techniques for goal setting
• Learning techniques for best managing progress and accountability

Becoming a life coach is a very exciting journey and one that most people find quite fulfilling personally as well. As you go through a life coach training program, you’ll learn the important skills and techniques that will help lay a foundation for your own career and you may actually find yourself going through a period of growth and personal reflection as well.

Take the time to really think about your goals in terms of certification and credentials before you jump into any particular coaching program, but know that the journey ahead will be rewarding.