The need for skilled coaches to support individuals and organizations in achieving success is steadily increasing. If you have a passion for helping others reach their full potential. consider a career in coaching. Becoming an ICF certified coach could be a great way to get started on this interesting and incredibly rewarding path. In this blog, let’s explore the steps to becoming an ICF certified coach online. You will also get some insights on how to start your own coaching business.
A brief note on terminology: officially, there is no such thing as an ICF-certified coach, ICF coaching program, ICF certification or ICF Certified Coach Training Program. ICF does not train or certify new coaches – coach training schools, like UpThink Coaching, do that. ICF accredits coach training schools, and it also approves coaching credentials, which is the next step after certification. Nevertheless, it is quite common in everyday conversations to use the term ‘ICF-certified,’ as many find it a convenient simplification.
Why ICF Certification Matters:
The International Coaching Federation (ICF), founded in 1995, is the largest professional coaching association. With a presence in over 150 countries, it has become the benchmark for coaching excellence worldwide. ICF sets the “gold standard” for professional coaching. Coaching clients as well as organizations that employ coaches look for ICF-certified coaches as a mark of quality and commitment to excellence. Achieving ICF certification enhances coach’s credibility and ensures that they adhere to ethical standard in the coaching industry and are equipped with the necessary skills to help clients succeed.
Choosing a Solid Training
A good training program should have a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge, focus on practical skills development, trainers’ hands-on experience, and it should prepare coaches for real work with clients. It’s not just about learning; it’s about gaining the confidence to handle any coaching scenario that comes your way.
“Practical Coaching Mastery” Level 1 program at UpThink Coaching meets all the requirements for ACC credential application. We offer 88.6 hours of Level 1 training. With us you get 11 hours of mentor coaching – 3 hours one-on-one and 8 hours in a group. We will also do performance evaluation of your coaching session at ACC level. Our faculty members are experienced assessors and are trained by ICF in PCC markers. You will not have to submit a session recording to ICF.
On top of this, the distinct features of all our programs are:
- Group supervision. These sessions allow students to discuss their coaching cases and reflect of their coaching approach with an experienced supervisor.
- A lot of personalized feedback. Our students get a written observation report after each peer practice.
- Practical experience. Our workshops include coaching demos and breakout room practice to ensure immediate practical application of coaching skills.
- Experienced international faculty team. Our trainers, mentors and supervisors hold PCC and MCC credentials with ICF and have their own successful private practices.
Tips to Maximize Your Training Experience
Here’s some tips that we give to our coaching students at UpThink Coaching.
First and foremost, immerse yourself fully in the learning experience. Be open-minded, attend classes, absorb the theories, share with classmates, and do your best to internalize the knowledge. Coach training is not just about accumulating knowledge. It is about developing a coaching mindset, cultivating “the being” of a coach, not just the “doing”. It’s about embodying the essence of coaching in every interaction.
Practice, practice, practice – make it your mantra. Engage in coaching sessions with your classmates, other coaches and find your coaching clients early (we give guidelines about how to do that). Each session will contribute to your evolving coaching style.
Focus on ICF Core Competencies. Infuse these competencies into the very fabric of your coaching sessions – we give practical examples of how to do that authentically and organically. Cultivate the art of active listening, ask powerful questions that unravel layers of insight, and dance in the realm of direct communication. These competencies aren’t just a checklist. They didn’t come out of nowhere – they have been distilled from the wealth of experience gained by masterful coaches over thousands of hours.
Be receptive to feedback. Seek it eagerly, digest it thoughtfully, and apply it in your sessions. Do not take it as critique, but see it as a supportive guidance.
Got More Questions?
We remember what it feels to be new to coaching. It may sound confusing, and it is ok to have questions. Schedule a no-commitment discovery call to get answers to all your questions.
You may also find this article helpful: Frequently Asked Questions about Coach Training and Becoming a Coach