Develop Effective Communication with Brain Based Coaching
Ethical, compassionate, and sensitive skill training for when brain differences are present.
Brain Based Coaching: The Third Step in Becoming a Trained Coach
The Brain-Based Coaching course teaches students how to leverage coaching skills with clients living with brain-based conditions such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, and autism – all of which are frequently encountered in coaching and organizing work.
These strategies are critical for communicating ethically, openly, appropriately, and successfully when chronic disorganization, executive functioning challenges, stress and/or strong emotions are present.
The third of the five Foundation Training courses, Brain Based Coaching training is unique to the Coach Approach Training Institute in its use of a coaching scenario for practicing these important communication skills. Deep learning in this course is centered in the practice in 2-person Skills Building Groups—boundaries, red flags, self-care, and basic knowledge of the conditions are all addressed and integrated.
The skills learned in this course stretch new coaches to be more effective and courageous communicators, even beyond the specific client applications addressed in the course.
Foundation Training Curriculum
The training
What You’ll Learn in Brain-Based Coaching
In this 6-week course, you will learn the basics of many brain-based conditions that coaches and professional organizers encounter with their clients. Careful preparation for Skills Building Group participation is key.
Respectful Conversations
Mental Health Support
Identify the signs of clients in need of additional mental health assistance, as distinct from coaching
Self-Care
Coach a client to identify and maintain effective support and self-care strategies
Ethics & Awareness
Explore and clarify ethical issues, boundaries, and the possibilities of collaborative professional work
Brain Based Coaching
Class Details & Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about the Brain-Based Coaching course, explore scheduling information here along with responses to frequently asked questions below.

Class Format
Online, live sessions with interactive discussions and exercises. Additional outside-of-class 2-person Skills Building Group meetings to practice coaching with members of your cohort.
Time Commitment
6 Weeks, 90-minute weekly classes, plus 5 two-person Skills Building Groups (SBGs) outside of class time; weekly review of an audio coaching demonstration that mirrors the SBG work; light reading and two forum posts.
Course Schedule
SUMMER 2026
Dates: June 1 – July 6, 2026 on Mondays
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm ET
Register by: May 18, 2026
FALL 2026
Dates: September 15 – October 20, 2026 on Tuesdays
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm ET
Register by: September 2, 2026
Continuing Education Hours
Number of credit hours earned by completing this course:
- 11.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU)
- 14.375 Continuing Coach Education (CCE) Hours or Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH)
Course Fee
$770 – includes all course materials, resources, and trainer support
Class Schedules
2025-2026 Foundation Training Schedule
To complete the entire Foundation Training program, you must complete five sequential required courses. Elective courses are optional.
2026 Coaching Essentials Calendar
| # | Course Name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register By | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Coaching Essentials (CE) | Thursdays Wednesdays Wednesdays | Jan 22 - March 12, 2026 April 15 - June 3, 2026 Aug 19 - Oct 7, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET | Closed April 1, 2026 Aug 5, 2026 | Get Started → |
Coaching Essentials is the pre-requisite course for the four other courses that make up the Foundation Training program. It may also be taken as a stand-alone class as a comprehensive introduction and understanding of coaching skills and methodologies.
Register for this course individually or as part of the two-course intro training package.
Strengths-Based Coaching Schedule 2026
| # | Course Name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register By | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Strengths-Based Coaching (SBC) | Tuesdays Tuesdays | March 31 - April 28, 2026 July 28 - Aug 25, 2026 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET | March 17, 2026 July 14, 2026 | Register for Spring 2026 Register for Summer 2026 |
Strengths-Based Coaching is the second of the five foundation courses. It reinforces and builds on the coaching skills taught in Coaching Essentials. Registration includes access to the SBC Coaches Learning Lab (on-line learning center for forums, trainer communication, access to training materials and participant profiles) and a copy of the e-book: The Processing Modalities Guide: Identify and Use Specific Strengths for Better Functioning.
Register for this course individually or as part of the four-course package.
Brain-Based Coaching Schedule 2026
| # | Course Name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register By | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | Brain-Based Coaching (BBC) | Tuesdays Mondays Tuesdays | Sept 2 - Oct 14, 2025 June 1 - July 6, 2026 Sept 15 - Oct 20, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 3:30pm ET 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm ET 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET | Aug 19, 2025 May 18, 2026 Sept 2, 2026 | Register for Summer 2026 Register for Fall 2026 |
Brain-Based Coaching is the third of the five required foundation courses which must be taken in order. It builds on the coaching skills and strategies taught in Coaching Essentials and Strengths-Based Coaching. Registration includes access to the Brain-Based Coaches Learning Lab (on-line learning center for forums, trainer communications, access to training materials, and participant profiles).
Register for this course individually or as part of the three-course package.
Life & ADHD Coaching Schedule 2026
| # | Course Name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register By | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04 | Life & ADHD Coaching (LAC) | Thursdays Thursdays | Jan 15 - Feb 19, 2026 Aug 27 - Oct 1, 2026 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET | Jan 2, 2026 Aug 13, 2026 | Register for Winter 2026 Register for Fall 2026 |
Life & ADHD Coaching is the fourth of the five foundation program courses. The pre-requisites are Coaching Essentials, Strengths-Based Coaching, and Brain-Based Coaching. Registration includes access to the LAC Coaches Learning Lab (on-line learning center for forums, trainer communications, access to training materials, and participant profiles), and the ebook, Curious Accountabtility by Cameron Gott, PCC, and Casey Moore, PCC, CPLC, CPO®.
Register for this course individually (or previously as part of the three-course package or the four-course package).
Coach Integration Schedule 2026
| # | Course Name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register By | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 | Coach Integration (CI) | Thursdays Thursdays | March 26 - April 23, 2026 Oct 29 - Nov 19, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET | March 12, 2026 Oct 15, 2026 | Register for Spring 2026 Register for Fall 2026 |
Coach Integration is the fifth and last required foundation course. The pre-requisites are Coaching Essentials, Strengths-Based Coaching, Brain-Based Coaching, and Life & ADHD Coaching. Registration includes access to the Coach Integration Coaches Learning Lab (on-line learning center for forums, trainer communication, access to training materials and participant profiles).
You may register for this course individually or after Strenths-Based Coaching as part of the three-course foundation package.
Foundation Training Electives Schedule 2026
| # | Course Name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register By | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elective | Coaching Skills Lab (CSL) | |||||
| Elective | Cultivating Coaching Courage (CCC) | Mondays Tuesdays Tuesdays | Sept 8 - Oct 13, 2025 Feb 3 - March 10, 2026 Aug 25 - Sept 29, 2026 | 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm ET 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm ET | Aug 25, 2025 Jan 20, 2026 Aug 11, 2026 | Register for Winter 2026 Fall 2026 coming soon |
| Elective | Client Enrollment: Best Practices (CEBP) | Wednesdays | July 29, Aug 12 & 26, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm ET | July 14, 2026 | Register for Summer 2006 |
Full Schedule of Foundation Training Courses 2026
| # | Course Name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register By | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Coaching Essentials (CE) | Thursdays Wednesdays Wednesdays | Jan 22 - March 12, 2026 April 15 - June 3, 2026 Aug 19 - Oct 7, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET | Closed April 1, 2026 Aug 5, 2026 | Get Started → |
| 02 | Strengths-Based Coaching (SBC) | Tuesdays Tuesdays | March 31 - April 28, 2026 July 28 - Aug 25, 2026 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET | March 17, 2026 July 14, 2026 | Register for Spring 2026 Register for Summer 2026 |
| 03 | Brain-Based Coaching (BBC) | Tuesdays Mondays Tuesdays | Sept 2 - Oct 14, 2025 June 1 - July 6, 2026 Sept 15 - Oct 20, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 3:30pm ET 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm ET 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET | Aug 19, 2025 May 18, 2026 Sept 2, 2026 | Register for Summer 2026 Register for Fall 2026 |
| 04 | Life & ADHD Coaching (LAC) | Thursdays Thursdays | Jan 15 - Feb 19, 2026 Aug 27 - Oct 1, 2026 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET | Jan 2, 2026 Aug 13, 2026 | Register for Winter 2026 Register for Fall 2026 |
| 05 | Coach Integration (CI) | Thursdays Thursdays | March 26 - April 23, 2026 Oct 29 - Nov 19, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ET | March 12, 2026 Oct 15, 2026 | Register for Spring 2026 Register for Fall 2026 |
| Elective | Coaching Skills Lab (CSL) | |||||
| Elective | Cultivating Coaching Courage (CCC) | Mondays Tuesdays Tuesdays | Sept 8 - Oct 13, 2025 Feb 3 - March 10, 2026 Aug 25 - Sept 29, 2026 | 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm ET 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm ET | Aug 25, 2025 Jan 20, 2026 Aug 11, 2026 | Register for Winter 2026 Fall 2026 coming soon |
| Elective | Client Enrollment: Best Practices (CEBP) | Wednesdays | July 29, Aug 12 & 26, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm ET | July 14, 2026 | Register for Summer 2006 |
Learn From the Best in the Field
Our instructors bring proven experience and expertise in coaching, productivity, and understanding neurodiversity, ensuring that you receive industry best training. Your Brain-Based Coaching trainers are committed to teaching the skills that set our students apart; ensuring that every lesson is grounded in practical, real-world insights; and providing unwavering support to help you build a fulfilling coaching career.
Sara Skillen, PCC, COLC, CNC, CPO
Director of Education
Sara Skillen
Sara Skillen is the owner and Director of Education for Coach Approach Training Institute, and founder of SkillSet Coaching in Nashville, TN. She earned her Certified Organizer Coach credential in 2018, her Certified Organizer Life Coach credential in 2022, and her Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the ICF in 2023.
Susan Lieber, PCC, CAPC
Senior Trainer
Susan Lieber
Susan stepped onto the coaching path with Coach Approach, and has been deeply engaged in the field ever since. She earned her Certified Organizer Coach credential from the IAC (now CAT Institute) in 2011, followed by her Certified ADHD Productivity Coach certification in 2017, and became a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the ICF the same year.
Trainers & Staff
Our Team
Our instructors are not only seasoned coaches, but also authors, content creators, award-winners, and trailblazers in their respective fields. They balance leading with a deep commitment to and knowledge of our rigorous curriculum with supportive and inclusive learning environments.
Testimonials
Success Stories from Our Students
Hear from students who’ve transformed their careers and clients’ lives through Coach Approach Training Institute’s Brain-Based Coaching class.








