If you are interested in coaching, it is highly recommended that you enroll in a training program, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience coaching. However, when you search for a training program online, there are literally thousands to choose from, so how do you know which ones are actually legitimate and which ones you should stay away from? While most of them offer some kind of value to the person taking the course, there are only a few that you should concentrate on, because you want training that other coaches and potential clients will respect and appreciate. Here are four of the best training programs out there for life coaches.
Institute for Professionalism Excellence in Coaching (iPEC): This is an accredited coaching program that is very well-respected by those in the coaching community. They offer a variety of coaching tracks including business coaching, corporate and executive coaching, health & wellness coach and much more. They have training programs all over the country, from Seattle to New York and from Texas to Toronto as well as a training center in London.
The International Coach Federation (ICF): The International Coach Federation isn’t a school, it is a non-profit accrediting agency that vets coaching organizations and training programs. However, you can visit their website and get their recommendations not only on what kind of training you should be taking but also what ICF-approved programs there are out there. This organization is known by every professional coach in the world.
Ericson International: Ericson International is an accredited training school with a great reputation or turning out amazing coaches. They have coaching training that extends all of the way from the basics to coaching topics that are intended for more advanced students or for later learning. Unlike iPEC, the training and certifications that Ericson offers are over the internet through distance learning.
Robbins-Madanes Training: The founders of this organization are Anthony “Tony” Robbins, a famous and respected coach and speaker, Mark and Magali Peysha and therapist Cloe Madanes, who shares the honor of having the school named after her along with Robbins. One of the many great things that this school has to offer is board certification as a coach by the Center for Credentialing and Education. They also have their basic Core 100 and Core 200 training as well as another training program called Breakthrough Training. These programs are comprehensive and respected in the coaching world.