When it comes to coaching, there are various levels of certification that are determined by the amount of training hours and experience. It is important to note that these approaches are not wrong, but they may be limited. If the goal of coaching is to help clients grow as individuals, simply maintaining life horizontally is not enough. To facilitate vertical transformation, one approach to consider is the “three levels of training” model.
At levels one and two, coaches can address a client's relationship with food, calories, and exercise. However, at the third level, coaches focus on changing the client's relationship with themselves. This includes reorienting how they relate to their body and nutrition sources, and looking beyond food, calories, and exercise to include a more holistic perspective. The third level is Mastery Training for Artful Coaching, which is necessary for those who wish to apply for the MCC credential. Nowadays, it is possible to hire a coach for almost anything.
From finding a job to finding your voice; from balancing your checkbook to creating balance in your life; from losing weight or finding a partner to finding your purpose or deepening your relationship with God. Unfortunately, there is a lot of information out there that can be confusing or misleading when it comes to training and certifying coaches. To become a certified professional coach (PCC), you must complete 125 hours of professional training and have more than 500 hours of coaching experience. Each approach appeals to different types of people and is based on an assumption about the relationship between coach and client.
As an ICF accredited training education provider and a certified coach teacher, I understand the importance of understanding neuroscience, psychology, heart science, neurolinguistic programming, and practical tools to help people feel better. Many consider ICF credentials to be the “gold standard” in the field of training. As with a master's or graduate program, once a candidate is certified as a professional coach, they have the option of continuing their education by earning a master's degree certification in coaching. The ICF does not offer its own training programs but does accredit other coach training programs that meet its requirements. As an expert in the field of coaching certification, I can confidently say that there are three distinct levels of certification available for coaches. The first two levels focus on helping clients develop healthier relationships with food, calories, and exercise.
The third level focuses on helping clients develop healthier relationships with themselves by looking beyond food, calories, and exercise to include a more holistic perspective. This level is known as Mastery Training for Artful Coaching and is necessary for those who wish to apply for the MCC credential. In order to become certified as a professional coach (PCC), you must complete 125 hours of professional training and have more than 500 hours of coaching experience. Additionally, many consider ICF credentials to be the “gold standard” in the field of training. As such, if you wish to continue your education after becoming certified as a professional coach, you can do so by earning a master's degree certification in coaching.
