Coaching Credentials

jump links to THE headings on this page
Coach Approach Training and Institute for Applied Coaching logos, Two integrated programs - distinguished coach training and credentialing

Coach Approach Training (CAT) is the part of our organization that trains coaches (through our Foundation Program and Advanced Courses). The Institute for Applied Coaching (IAC) administers our coach credentials.

CAT-IAC supports eight coaching credentials and is an International Coaching Federation Accredited Coach Training Program.

CAT-IAC Founding Missions

Our initial mission in 2006 — one we still support — was to integrate coaching values and methodology into the organizing-productivity field in the US and Canada. This commitment still distinguishes our coach training program from others. For more than ten years we have accepted coaching students from other fields and from other countries, after an interview. We appreciate what this broader diversity has brought to class discussions — and to our own awareness.

However, from the beginning, the two founders of CAT-IAC shared an equally strong commitment to a second mission. Cam and Denslow are ICF credentialed coaches and ADHD coaches. “Our practices are focused on the ADHD client and we both live with ADHD ourselves.”

So the parallel mission in founding Coach Approach, is to make sure the organizer and productivity consultants (and all others) who emerge as coaches through CAT are prepared …

  • To understand and provide excellent classic (ICF) coaching as a result of an intensive and flexible curriculum, and extraordinary and supportive trainers;
  • To notice probable/possible ADHD and other brain-based symptoms in clients and potential clients
  • To engage with people who are neurodiverse with appreciation, compassion and confidence;
  • To be informed about the damage that can be done by well-meaning professionals who have inadequate training in ADHD;
  • To make all appropriate ethical & professional referrals for assessments and to allied professionals;
  • To receive accurate and competent ADHD coach training and competently coach people with ADHD; and
  • To listen to their own heads and hearts to discern whether or not they are committed to coaching neurodiverse people — and to respect the limits of their ADHD expertise as coaches, organizers or productivity consultants.

ADHD Coaching

ADHD coaching is a dynamic and thrilling field. In the US, 80% of the adults who have ADHD are undiagnosed. ADHD coaching is particularly rewarding because in supporting client self-knowledge, people are empowered to claim their lives, embrace their strengths, and confront and confound their limitations. With this clientele, sessions include eye-opening perspective shifts and heart-warming insights — courage and compassion — and life-changing personal growth.

The need for trained ADHD coaches is great. Even the 20% of those who know they have ADHD are part of the population of misunderstood and misunderstanding people who will thrive with the support of a trained coach.

Unique Coach Credentialing Philosophy

Coaching credentials are awarded to those individuals who have learned to coach at coach industry-recognized levels, based on our affiliation with the International Coaching Federation. [More on this under Coaching Excellence below.]

We (IAC, the Institute for Applied Coaching) award credentials that recognize the application of coaching in conjunction with specific areas of expertise: organizing, productivity, brain-based conditions and/or leadership. The vast majority of our coaches entered our training with significant experience in one or more of these areas already.

Coach Approach Training Intersection

Our intensive courses (provided by CAT, Coach Approach Training) offer coaching in the context of these subject areas. ADHD coaching techniques are a consistent training focus because they are useful with any client whose executive functioning is stressed. 

Coaching Excellence

The IAC credentialing priority is coaching excellence.  We certify coaches at specific levels of coaching competency based on training, experience and demonstrated skill level.  We reference ICF’s credentials, which are globally recognized, to illustrate the specific levels of coaching competency of each of our credentials.

ICF’s ACC (Associate Certified Coach) credential represents a minimum of 60 hours of coach training and 100 client hours.  An ACC coach has demonstrated competence with coaching skills and methodology (based on an evaluated coaching session).

IAC’s ACC-level credentials exceed ACC standards.  Our three ACC-level credentials reflect almost 80 hours of coach training and 115 client coaching hours.  Each of these credentialed coaches have documented extensive training and life experience in organizing, productivity and/or neurodiversity education and advocacy.  

ICF’s PCC (Professional Certified Coach) credential represents a minimum of  125 hours of coach training and 500 client hours.  Advanced training and greater experience means that coaching methods and skills are deeply internalized. A PCC coach has demonstrated coaching that is more confident, creative and flexible (than coaching by a new ACC coach). 

IAC PCC-level coaches meet ICF’s PCC standards. Our five PCC-level credentials equal ICF’s requirements for coach training hours and demonstrated competence (based on two evaluated coaching sessions). IAC PCC-level credential-holders can apply for an expedited ICF PCC credential. And all of our credential-holders have also documented substantial training and professional/life experience in the areas described by their credentials. This translates into a deepened ability to apply coaching techniques in service to the growth of clients with specific challenges and goals (ADHD, organizing, productivity, and leadership). These are our PCC-level credentials:

IAC PCC-Level Requirements (1-page PDF)

For questions on our certification process contact:
Denslow Brown, MCC
Director@InstituteforAppliedCoaching.com
Or, make an appointment with Denslow.

What Our Students Say

Lasting Change Instead of Short-Term Fixes
    

I’ve completely changed my business model since taking the Coach Approach Training.  I’ve moved away from hands-on residential organizing to phone-based coaching around time management and creating change. I love this part of my business! I am able to create lasting change, instead of short-term fixes.

Anonymous Evaluation
Coaching Credentials Graduate
Create Lasting Change
    

My past role of the organizing “expert” has been replaced with the collaborator. Coaching has enabled me to empower my clients to achieve their goals. Through curiosity and powerful questions, my clients develop the awareness to create lasting change, identify obstacles and solutions, and develop accountability with themselves.

Anonymous Evaluation
Coaching Credentials Graduate
Phased Out Organizing to Focus on Coaching
    

Coaching has significantly impacted my business. Over the past 3 years, I have phased out organizing to focus on coaching full-time. I specialize in coaching on organizing and time management systems. I love it. 

Anonymous Evaluation
Coaching Credentials Graduate
A Wonderful Environment for Learning
    

Thank you so much for all your care, guidance, mentoring, coaching, teaching, and support. I am excited to have this new certification and loved the journey. I have learned so much. I feel a strong connection with the trainers and students. You have created a wonderful environment for learning.   

Anonymous Evaluation
Coaching Credentials Graduate
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IAC Code of Ethical Standards

  1. I will respect the needs, culture and processing styles of my clients.
  2. I will strive for excellence as an IAC credentialed coach.
  3. I will develop the knowledge and skills required to serve my clients and will strive to keep current with relevant information.
  4. I will offer services only in areas for which I am qualified, and will accurately represent my expertise, qualifications and certifications in all communications and circumstances.
  5. I will refer a client to other professionals if the client’s needs are best served by another professional, or if the client requires additional support.
  6. I will maintain strict confidentiality with all client information unless authorized by the client in writing, or required by law, or in situations where they or someone else may be in serious danger.
  7. I will respect the intellectual property of others and will not use proprietary information without written permission.
  8. I will safeguard these ethical standards and report violations to the IAC.
  9. I acknowledge that a breach of the IAC Code of Ethical Standards will result in sanctions, including a revocation of my certification status.
  10. I will comply with the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics, as well as those of any organizing, productivity and/or coaching institutions of which I am a member (e.g., NAPO, BCPO, POC, AAPO, ICD and/or PAAC).
  11. I agree to honor my ethical and legal obligations to my clients, colleagues and the public at large.

Journey to Credentialing

We refer to achieving coach credentialing as a journey because it takes time. Of course, there is significant training — and other requirements to meet (described below).

But more significantly, there’s the transformation of becoming a coach. This comes on a person incrementally — from reflecting on what you’re learning from classes and coach practice sessions, including those sessions where you are the client.

This transformation includes moving through the world with a coaching philosophy/mindset. It’s experienced when we acknowledge how meaningful it is to accompany people into a wonderful life, a ‘life that fits’ their passions and strengths — and to witness their transformations!

A third way to describe the journey to coaching competence and/or credentialing describes the timeline and costs of training and credentialing.

coach credentialing timeline, costs (PDF)
Begin with Coach Training

The CAT-IAC journey begins with the year-long Foundation Coach Training Program. It includes 27 weeks of training in five foundation courses (Coaching Essentials, Strengths-Based Coaching, Brain-Based Coaching, Life & ADHD Coaching and Coach Integration), intensive coaching practice and trainer feedback, and two comprehensive written assessments. Completion takes a minimum of a year.

For coaches aiming for a coaching certification, foundation program graduation is followed by targeted Advanced Coaching Courses, specific to each credential.

Training Requirements for ACC and PCC levels of Coach Approach Training
Required training for IAC credentials (PDF of table)
Requirements Beyond Coach Training

If you decide to apply for a coach credential, there are requirements to meet beyond the necessary coach training. You must also document client coaching hours and mentor coaching. Applicants also submit a recorded coaching session. Evaluated by an ICF-trained assessor, the session must meet the level of coaching competence for the credential you want.

Because our credentials reflect the integration of coaching with specific expertise, IAC applications ask about relevant professional and life experience.

Start by reviewing these requirement documents to fully understand what’s needed to apply for a coaching credential.

IAC PCC-Level Requirements (1-page PDF)
Credentialing Schedule & Application Documents

The most recent applications are available year-round. The application packets for the next cycle are available January 1 — and the annual application deadline is April 1 .

NOTE: IAC applications and credentials are for coaches trained through Coach Approach Training.

IAC Application packets
Our IAC Credentialed Coaches

Find A Coach Directory

We’re proud of our credentialed coaches — proud of their remarkable backgrounds and aware of the educational and personal growth journeys each has traveled to become a credentialed coach. They are beautifully prepared to support their clients’ goals and dreams with heart and smarts.

For questions on our certification process contact:
Denslow Brown, MCC
Director@InstituteforAppliedCoaching.com
Or, make an appointment with Denslow.