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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

  • Foundation Training Overview

  • Coaching Essentials

  • Strengths-Based Coaching

  • Brain-Based Coaching

  • Life & ADHD Coaching

  • Coach Integration

  • Coaching Skills Lab

  • Cultivating Coaching Courage

  • Client Enrollment Best Practices

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

Learn how to open conversations about the impact of a client’s brain-based challenges

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.

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Delivery
C
Delivery

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.

Duration
C
Duration

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.

Dates
C
Dates

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

Credits
C
Credits

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)
Pricing
C
Pricing

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.

Coaching
Essentials

Required

Strengths-Based
Coaching

Required

Brain-Based
Coaching

Required

Life & ADHD
Coaching

Required

Coach
Integration

Required

Elective
Classes

3 Choices

Full
Schedule

All Courses

Coaching Essentials

#Course nameWeekdayDatesTimeRegister byRegister (Square) Links
01Coaching EssentialsWednesdays
Sept 23 - Nov 11, 20264:00 pm - 5:30 pm ETRegistration ClosedClosed
02Coaching EssentialsTuesdaysJanuary 12 - March 2, 20273:00 - 4:30 pm ETDecember 8, 2026Start Here
WednesdaysApril 7 - May 26, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
4:00 - 5:30 pm ET
March 10, 2027Start Here
TuesdaysSeptember 28 - November 16, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
4:00 - 5:30 pm ET
August 31, 2027Start Here

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

#Course nameWeekdayDatesTimeRegister byRegister (Square) Links
02Strengths Based CoachingTuesdaysMarch 30 - April 27, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
3:00 - 4:30 pm ET
March 16, 2027https://square.link/u/klqqecPb
TuesdaysJuly 27 - August 24, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed)
July 13, 2027

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

#Course nameWeekdayDatesTimeRegister byRegister (Square) Links
02Brain Based Coaching

Tuesdays


Sept 15 - Oct 20, 2026


11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET


Sept 2, 2026
Register for Fall 2026
03Brain Based CoachingTuesdaysMay 25 - June 29, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed)
May 11, 2027https://square.link/u/aCgq8wPt
TuesdaysSeptember 21 - October 26, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed)
September 2, 2027

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

#Course nameWeekdayDatesTimeRegister byRegister (Square) Links
01Life and ADHD Coaching
Thursdays

Aug 27 - Oct 1, 2026

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET
Aug 13, 2026Register for Fall 2026
02Life and ADHD CoachingThursdaysJanuary 14 - February 18, 20273:00 - 4:30 pm ETJanuary 1, 2027https://square.link/u/q0y5BvNU
ThursdaysJuly 29 - September 2, 20273:00 - 4:30 pm ETJuly 15, 2027

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

#Course nameWeekdayDatesTimeRegister byRegister (Square) Links
01Coach IntegrationThursdays

Oct 29 - Nov 19, 20264:00 pm - 5:30 pm ETOct 15, 2026Register for Fall 2026
02Coach IntegrationThursdaysMarch 18 - April 8, 202611:00 am - 12:30 pm pm ETMarch 4, 2027https://square.link/u/s5tuDy3F
ThursdaysSeptember 30 - October 21, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm pm ETSeptember 16, 2027

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

#Course nameWeekdayDatesTimeRegister byRegister (Square) Links
ElectiveCoaching Skills LabInquire if interested - scheduled 1-2x/yearN/A
Cultivating Coaching Courage (CCC)TuesdaysAug 25 - Sept 29, 20266:00 - 7:30 pm ETAug 18, 2026Register for Fall 2026
Client Enrollment: Best Practices (CEBP)WednesdaysJuly 29, Aug 12 & 26, 20261:00 pm - 2:30 pm ETJuly 14, 2026Registration Closed
Client Enrollment Best PracticesWednesdaysJune 16 and 30, July 14, 20271:00 - 2:30 pm ETJune 2, 2027Register for 2027

Full Schedule of Foundation Training Courses

#Course nameWeekdayDatesTimeRegister byRegister (Square) Links
ADHDCoaching the ADHD Client
(CAC)
MondaysAug 31, Sept 14 & 28, Oct 12 & 26, & Nov 9, 20263:00 pm - 4:30 pm ETAug 16, 2026Register for
Fall 2026
ADHD
Distinguishing ADHD
Coaching (DAC)
MondaysOct 5 & 19, Nov 2, 16, & 30, 20263:00 pm - 4:30 pm ETSept 21, 2026Register for
Fall 2026
ProductivityHolistic Time Coaching
(HTC)
WednesdaysOct 7 - Nov 11, 20261:00 pm - 2:30 pm ETSept 23, 2026Register for
Fall 2026
SpecialtyGraduate Book Analysis
(GBA)
FridaysJuly 31 - Sept 4, 202612:30 pm - 2:00 pm ETJuly 17, 2026Register for
Summer 2026
ElectiveCultivating Coaching
Courage (CCC)

Tuesdays
(Summer)

Aug 25 - Sept 29, 2026

6:00 - 7:30 pm ET

Aug 11, 2026
Register for
Spring 2026


Register for
Fall 2026

01Coaching EssentialsTuesdaysJanuary 12 - March 2, 20273:00 - 4:30 pm ETDecember 8, 2026https://square.link/u/f2AGpAVD
WednesdaysApril 7 - May 26, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
4:00 - 5:30 pm ET
March 10, 2027https://square.link/u/F1hV2rCu
TuesdaysSeptember 28 - November 16, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
4:00 - 5:30 pm ET
August 31, 2027https://square.link/u/4oi6l9GO
02Strengths Based CoachingTuesdaysMarch 30 - April 27, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
3:00 - 4:30 pm ET
March 16, 2027https://square.link/u/klqqecPb
TuesdaysJuly 27 - August 24, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed)
July 13, 2027
03Brain Based CoachingTuesdaysMay 25 - June 29, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed)
May 11, 2027https://square.link/u/aCgq8wPt
TuesdaysSeptember 21 - October 26, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or
3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed)
September 2, 2027
04Life and ADHD CoachingThursdaysJanuary 14 - February 18, 20273:00 - 4:30 pm ETJanuary 1, 2027https://square.link/u/q0y5BvNU
ThursdaysJuly 29 - September 2, 20273:00 - 4:30 pm ETJuly 15, 2027
05Coach IntegrationThursdaysMarch 18 - April 8, 202611:00 am - 12:30 pm pm ETMarch 4, 2027https://square.link/u/s5tuDy3F
ThursdaysSeptember 30 - October 21, 202711:00 am - 12:30 pm pm ETSeptember 16, 2027
ElectiveCoaching Skills LabInquire if interested - scheduled 1-2x/yearN/A
Client Enrollment Best PracticesWednesdaysJune 16 and 30, July 14, 20271:00 - 2:30 pm ETJune 2, 2027

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.

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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.

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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.

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Brain-Based 1
"This course has given me much to think about, especially in terms of setting and maintaining boundaries. It has also given me much to think about in terms of the populations I want to work with."
"This course has given me much to think about, especially in terms of setting and maintaining boundaries. It has also given me much to think about in terms of the populations I want to work with."
Brain-Based 1
Brain-Based 2
"This course was really helpful in identifying my boundaries as a coach and practicing certain difficult conversations around challenges that come with working with someone who is struggling with a Brain-Based Condition. This course makes me feel more prepared to handle such inevitable, tough conversations with clients."
"This course was really helpful in identifying my boundaries as a coach and practicing certain difficult conversations around challenges that come with working with someone who is struggling with a Brain-Based Condition. This course makes me feel more prepared to handle such inevitable, tough conversations with clients."
Brain-Based 2
Brain-Based 3
"The time spent with my Skills Building Group partner was invaluable. I think everyone should have to practice this language and way of supporting a client."
"The time spent with my Skills Building Group partner was invaluable. I think everyone should have to practice this language and way of supporting a client."
Brain-Based 3
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Ready to Get Started?

Take the first step towards a rewarding career as a professional coach. Complete the student enrollment and start your journey towards empowering others and transforming your own life.