About Us

Denslow Brown, MCC, PCNC™, CPO-CD®, CPO®, co-founder of Coach Approach Training Institute (originally Coach Approach for Organizers, then Coach Approach Training), began working as a professional organizer in 1974, feeling immediately connected to the work. Nearly two decades in, she recognized a recurring issue: while she could help clients manage their physical spaces, many struggled to sustain these systems in the long term. She realized the deeper challenge was helping clients achieve behavioral, cognitive, and emotional shifts that would enable lasting change.

Denslow’s search for a solution led to coaching. Initially, she saw coaching as separate from organizing, but later connected the two through ADHD coaching in the 1990s. Denslow began formal coach training in 1995 and earned her Master Certified Coach credential in 2005. Coaching, she realized, addressed clients’ need for transformation by fostering self-awareness, clarifying values, and encouraging action and accountability. It was both compassionate and challenging, empowering clients to navigate change and pursue meaningful goals.

Denslow identified coaching as the perfect complement to organizing. Combining these approaches enabled professionals to address not just the practical aspects of organization but also the deeper motivations and barriers clients faced. This integrated approach was especially impactful for individuals dealing with chronic disorganization, ADHD, life transitions, or high-stress responsibilities. She introduced coaching concepts to professional organizing organizations, including the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD).

Denslow Brown began with a mission to equip professional organizers and related professionals with coaching skills to better support individuals seeking meaningful change. Her background as a Professional Organizer, ADHD Coach, and Mentor Coach shaped this vision. In 2006, she co-founded the Coach Approach for Organizers with Cameron Gott, PCC, pioneering the integration of coaching and organizing. From the start, students recognized how this powerful combination enabled more personalized, lasting support for their clients.

Starting in 2009, CAT offered credentialing programs for Certified Organizer Coaches, later expanding to include additional certifications such as Certified Productivity Coach, Certified ADHD Organizer Coach and Certified Productivity Leadership Coach. The program became known by its two branches—Coach Approach Training (the education) and the Institute for Applied Coaching (the credentialing)—collectively known as “CAT-IAC.”

Over the years, the program expanded to offer a comprehensive curriculum, earning accreditation as a Level 2 program from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) in 2015. This accreditation represented a significant milestone, as it ensured that the program met rigorous standards and provided additional legitimacy to both the training program and the coaches who graduated from it. The ICF sets the bar for professional coaching by developing core competencies and establishing a code of ethics – standards Coach Approach embraces to this day.

By 2023, Coach Approach had developed eight specialized coaching credentials, over 20 unique and robust courses, and welcomed professionals from diverse fields from all over the world into its training programs. No longer confined to the organizing world (but remaining committed to supporting that profession), this growth allowed for more flexibility and distinctive learning opportunities.

In early 2024 Denslow began conversations with CAT graduate and instructor Sara Skillen, PCC, COLC, CNC (herself a professional organizer and coach) about transitioning out of her ownership and leadership role. Through an aligned and intuitively-informed process, they met weekly to co-design how such a transition would occur, and Sara began learning the many responsibilities of leading and operating an accredited coach training program. In July of 2024, they made it official, with the support of trainers, staff, students, and friends of the program. As part of the transition process, CAT-IAC became Coach Approach Training Institute.

At CAT Institute, Director of Education Sara Skillen advances coaching in organizing, productivity, leadership, ADHD, and neurodiversity. Honoring Denslow Brown’s legacy, she blends diverse professional perspectives to drive meaningful client change. Recent milestones include a new website, ICF Level 1 accreditation, expanded Core Curriculum access, and new programs like the Transfer Coach path and Neurodiversity Coach™ credential. With support from expert faculty, Sara champions curriculum excellence, global reach, and a safe, supportive environment for student growth.