Bona Fide and Certified

    I completed the requirements for becoming a certified life coach. This is a strange, young industry. Unlike counseling or nursing or teaching, in which you have to become licensed in order to do the work, coaches have to do the work in order to become certified. As a result, anyone can create a website and call herself a life coach. 
    In the time I’ve been practicing, a client has never asked about my training or certification. I’ve been a little uncomfortable with the fact that I don’t have a credential, and I was glad I never had to explain the process to anyone. But now, I’m pretty darn proud of my certification. Honestly, it’s like another masters degree. Here’s what I had to do to earn my credential: 

• 60 hours of approved coach-specific training
• 10 hours of mentor coaching (somebody coached me on becoming a coach)
• 100 hours of coaching with at least 75 of those paid 
• Performance Evaluation- I recorded a coaching session and sent it (and a transcript of the session) in with my application
• Pass the Coach Knowledge Assessment (155 questions, 3-hours to complete, must pass with 70%)

    I took and passed the test before the holidays, and I just recently got notification that I am officially a certified coach. The certifying body is the International Coach Federation (ICF) and they are one of two world-renowned coach organizations. 
    I now hold three credentials. My Associate Certified Coach from the ICF, my Equine Facilitated Coach from the HERD Institute, and an Adolescent Life Coach Certification from the Adolescent Life Coaching Center.  
    In the end, it doesn’t change much. I get added to the database of ICF certified coaches and I can change my description from a “trained” life coach to a “certified” one. I can add the little ICF ACC symbol to my website and marketing materials. Still, outwardly, the change is minimal. But it feels like a big deal to me. I’ve seen this through and the credential proves that I have knowledge and skills as a coach. So if you're looking for a certified life coach, I'm your gal. I'm taking new clients in 2020.