Coach Training FAQ

Every ICF-accredited coach training program teaches the ICF Core Competencies, ethics, and the fundamentals of professional coaching. That raises a reasonable question: what is the difference between all the different programs. One of the core differences may be a distinct coaching philosophy or approach to this work. For example, at UpThink Coaching our emphasis is […]

Many people enroll in coach training because they want to transition to professional coaching as a career. Others have no intention of starting a coaching practice. They are leaders, consultants, teachers, HR professionals, healthcare practitioners, people in career transition or parents who simply want better conversations and a different quality of their personal and professional […]

Many coaching approaches focus on techniques, models, or question frameworks. Relational coaching begins with the understanding that the relationship between coach and client is not simply the context for coaching, it is an active part of how change happens. This does not mean the relationship becomes the topic of every coaching conversation. Instead, the quality […]

Great Coaching Goes Beyond Tools and Techniques At UpThink Coaching, coaching psychology is the lens through which we understand every coaching conversation. Coaching techniques and tools explain what a coach does. Coaching psychology explains why those tools and techniques might work. It helps coaches understand how change happens and how to create conditions for people […]

The difference between ACC and PCC level coaching. Some coaches think that preparing for the PCC credential means moving from 100 client coaching hours to 500 hours and learning more coaching techniques. You will definitely have to meet the client coaching hours’ requirement, and the essence of your coaching will also have to change. Both […]

When people compare coach training programs, they often focus on the total number of training hours. It makes sense to look at how much coaching practice those hours actually include. Coaching is a practical profession, and you do not learn it from books. You can study the ICF Core Competencies, understand coaching models, and learn […]

Choosing a coach training program only based on practical factors such as price, duration, or the number of training hours can be a significant underestimation of what actually shapes a coach. While most accredited programs will teach similar foundational skills, such as active listening, questioning, coaching competencies, ethics, and coaching frameworks. The deeper learning happens […]

People often hear the phrase coaching mindset during coach training, in ICF competency descriptions, or while reading about professional coaching. Yet it is rarely explained clearly. Many assume it simply means being positive, asking powerful questions, or avoiding advice. A coaching mindset is much more than that. It is the way a coach perceives people, […]

Yes. Both mentor coaching and coaching supervision are integrated into our coach training programs because they develop different aspects of coaching competence. Mentor coaching helps coaches strengthen their application of the ICF Core Competencies. Supervision develops reflective capacity, professional judgment, and greater awareness of the coach as a tool of their work. Mentor Coaching For […]

Despite the triggering title (which we hope brought you here), we do not use the word “mistakes” in our coach training. That being said, there are habits to unlearn and past patterns that may get in the way of effective coaching. Overcoming those is part of learning a profession that requires a different way of […]

Choosing your first coaching certification may feel overwhelming. Most programs teach practical skills, follow internationally recognized standards, and share happy grads’ testimonials. When everything sounds equally impressive, it’s hard to know what actually matters. Here’s how to choose a coach training program that fits your values, your pace, and where you want your career to […]

Many newly certified coaches expect confidence in their coaching skills to arrive alongside their credential. After months of training, coaching practice, evaluation and feedback, it’s natural to believe that earning a certificate will finally silence the inner voice asking, “Am I really ready for this?” Yet the first months of independent coaching often bring a […]

Some of the most common questions coaches ask after finishing their coach training program are: “How do I keep growing and developing as a coach?“ “Should I invest in mentor coaching or coaching supervision?” “When do I need mentor coaching, and when do I need supervision?” Both of these are coach development practices, and it […]

Understanding How Coaching Develops Across the ICF Credential Pathway When people first begin exploring professional coaching, they quickly encounter three sets of initials: ACC, PCC, and MCC. They appear on coaches’ websites, LinkedIn profiles, and coaching directories, often accompanied by impressive biographies and years of experience. It’s easy to assume these credentials simply represent three […]

Choosing a coach training program involves a practical question: Should I study online or in person? How should I compare the benefits of online vs in-person coach training? Although we’ve got so used to studying online, many people may assume that learning face-to-face must automatically produce better coaches. Others believe online programs offer the same […]

Not sure what coaching actually is? You’re not alone. Many people use the terms coaching, therapy, mentoring, and counselling interchangeably, even though they serve very different purposes. Big part of our work is to educate about the distinctions, so let’s dive right in. Understanding those differences is important whether you’re looking for support yourself or […]

When people begin exploring coaching, they often ask, “How long does it take to become a coach?” It’s a sensible question, especially if you’re planning a career change or hoping to start working with clients soon. You want to get started right, not just fast. The good news is that those two goals don’t have […]

What every future coach should know about ethics, boundaries, and professional standards. When people first explore coaching, they usually focus on visible skills. They want to learn how to ask better questions, build confidence, or help clients achieve meaningful results. Ethics rarely appears at the top of that list. Ironically, it’s often ethics, not technique, […]

There are hundreds of coaching programmes available today. Knowing how to compare them and what to pay attention to is important. Many prospective coaches often begin by comparing prices, training hours, or whether a program is online or in person. Those details are easy to measure, but they rarely predict how well prepared someone will […]

Looking into coach training? Before comparing prices or course lengths, make sure you’re comparing the things that actually shape your development as a coach. Choosing your first coaching certification is a significant decision. It’s easy to be influenced by impressive websites, long lists of modules, or promises of rapid certification. Yet those factors rarely determine […]

Coaching may be closer to your future than you realize. Very few people wake up one morning and decide to become a coach. More often, the decision develops over time. It may begin with a growing curiosity about quality conversations, a desire to help people think rather than simply solve their problems, or the feeling […]

Spoiler: You don’t need to be a therapist to become an excellent coach. In fact, many professional coaches begin their journey from entirely different careers. One of the common misconceptions about coaching is that it’s only for therapists or other mental health professionals. That assumption is understandable. Coaching is based on many foundational psychological concepts, […]

If you’re thinking about becoming a professional coach, you’ve probably already discovered how much information is out there and how difficult it can be to know where to begin. Should you get certified? What does ICF actually mean? How do you choose the right coach training program? And perhaps the biggest question of all: how […]