FAQ: Coach Training

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What differentiates your training from others?

Presence-Based Coaching integrates a pragmatic methodology with presence, authenticity, and a strong commitment to what really matters. Our approach is a rigorous synthesis of coaching, developmental and integral psychologies, somatics, and mindfulness. The approach is deeply grounded in a robust model of human development. Graduates will be prepared to apply a principle-based coaching methodology with audiences appropriate to their backgrounds, including business, non-profits, and education. The program is best suited for individuals seeking a top notch development experience with a small group in a face-to-face setting. (Class size is limited to 20. The program does not focus on business development.)

Do you certify coaches?

No, I don’t. Coaches who go through my training program earn credits towards certification through the International Coach Federation (ICF.) However, we do not directly certify or license coaches.

Does Presence-Based Coaching meet ICF certification requirements?

The Presence-Based Coaching program has been approved by the ICF as an “Approved Coach-Specific Training Provider.” This rigorous process requires documentation of program hours and content, and correlation of material with the ICF Core Competencies. Sufficient credits (125) have been pre-approved by ICF to meet all training requirements at either the ACC or PCC levels. Already certified coaches can also use pre-approved CCE’s to renew their credential at the ACC, PCC, or MCC levels.

How does your program compare with major coach training programs?

I’m interested in certification as a coach. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working with you compared to a one-stop-shopping ACTP training?

The advantages of ACTP providers are that they meet more of the ICF requirements, sometimes streamlining eventual ICF certification. Working with our program, or another ACSTH provider, provides significantly more flexibility. For example, you may combine credits from our program and others to increase your exposure to a range of methods and philosophies. Also, the cost is considerably lower than the top rank of ACTP training providers that offer training of the same quality. We meet all the training requirements for certification at the ACC or PCC levels. See the ICF website for more specifics.

What are the advantages of in person vs. virtual coach training?

There are lots of virtual/teleclass coach trainings out there. Why is it important to spend the extra time and money to do a residential training?

Some of the distance learning training programs are decent, others are frankly production shops, and not worth your investment. We strongly recommend due diligence before committing to any program. The Presence-Based Coaching program places coaching in a developmental context. It’s our experience that face-to-face training provides the most nuanced experience of the interactions that allow sustainable change and development to occur. This is true even if eventually you expect much of your coaching to be done by phone. While we talk explicitly about the distinctions between face-to-face and phone coaching, the foundations are best learned in person.

Are your courses taught by you or your students?

Some programs, associated with famous coaching pioneers, have disappointed students by offering teaching by second-rate followers. I am at a stage of my life where I’m very choosy about who I learn from. Will I be working with you, or with your students?

I teach in all Presence-Based Coaching programs, whether in North Carolina or elsewhere, and do not currently license others to teach my methodology. That said, I have experienced colleagues that have worked with me for years and who are involved in delivery. When that happens, we work together to assure a seamless and top quality experience for our participants.

I’ve never had any coach training… will this be appropriate for me?

Yes. No coaching background is assumed. AND… those who get the most out of this work, regardless of coaching background, are people who come in with a keen interest in self-cultivation and human development, who have significant professional experience under their belt, who have done some work on themselves, and who see their own presence as key to the learning process. The training treats participants as smart adult learners, and we dive in pretty fast. If you have doubts about whether it’s a fit, contact me and we’ll seek the best decision.

I’ve had a lot of coaching experience, and don’t have the time or interest to repeat the basics… will this be appropriate for me?

Yes. Extensive coaching backgrounds are welcome. AND… those who get the most out of this work, regardless of coaching background, are people who are willing to re-examine fundamental assumptions. Inherent in the PBC approach is a continual request to go beyond what we think we know, rather than reducing new experience to fit into an existing conceptual framework. Many people with strong professional backgrounds, years of coaching experience, and/or advanced degrees come here. No one has ever said it was too basic. The emphasis on presence challenges even (especially) those who feel comfortable and established in what they do and how they do it. More salient, the design is developmental, and meets people precisely where they are. Our experience, over more than a decade of coaching retreats, is that all levels of experience will find challenge and interest here.

I need to renew my ICF certification, and am looking for CCE’s. Is this the best way to get them?

You’ll have to decide that for yourself. This is high quality, sophisticated, in-person training in a lovely conference center with gourmet meals and 63 acres of land to explore. There are cheaper, virtual options available for CCE’s, so if low cost and a fast recertification are the primary considerations, I’d encourage you to look elsewhere. However, I will stand by the quality and integrity of this coach training relative to any available at any price. We include more for the money than any other provider I know of.

Why does it cost extra for the ICF credits?

We are committed to keeping the training accessible to a broad range of people; our participants include non-profit leaders, educators, and activists as well as corporate leaders and change professionals. ICF requires “observed coaching sessions” as part of the ACSTH approval, and we think that providing feedback on recorded coaching sessions adds a lot of value. However, it is time-intensive. For the Presence-Based Coaching Course, we split that cost out so that only those who want that service incur that portion of the cost. (The advanced course includes observed coaching sessions for everyone. We also include room and gourmet meals as part of the program cost, which makes it a good value indeed.)