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 2027
Dates: May 25-June 29, 2027 on Tuesdays
Time: 11:00am-12:30 pm ET; OR 3:00-4:30pm ET (if needed)
Register by: May 11, 2027
FALL 2027
Dates: September 21 – October 26, 2027 on Tuesdays
Time: 11:00 am-12:30 pm ET; OR 3:00-4:30pm ET (if needed)
Register by: September 2, 2027
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.
Coaching Essentials
| # | Course name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register by | Register (Square) Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Coaching Essentials | Tuesdays | January 12 - March 2, 2027 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET | December 8, 2026 | Enroll Here |
| 02 | Coaching Essentials | Wednesdays | April 7 - May 26, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 4:00 - 5:30 pm ET | March 10, 2027 | Enroll Here |
| 03 | Coaching Essentials | Tuesdays | September 28 - November 16, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 4:00 - 5:30 pm ET | August 31, 2027 | Enroll 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 name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register by | Register (Square) Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Strengths Based Coaching | Tuesdays | March 30 - April 27, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET | March 16, 2027 | Register for Spring SBC |
| 02 | Tuesdays | July 27 - August 24, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed) | July 13, 2027 | Register for Summer SBC |
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 name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register by | Register (Square) Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Brain Based Coaching | Tuesdays | May 25 - June 29, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed) | May 11, 2027 | Register for Summer BBC |
| Tuesdays | September 21 - October 26, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed) | September 2, 2027 | Register for Fall BBC 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 name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register by | Register (Square) Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Life and ADHD Coaching | Thursdays | January 14 - February 18, 2027 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET | January 1, 2027 | Register for Winter LAC 2027 |
| 02 | Life and ADHD Coaching | Thursdays | July 29 - September 2, 2027 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET | July 15, 2027 | Register for Summer LAC 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 name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register by | Register (Square) Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Coach Integration | Thursdays | March 18 - April 8, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm pm ET | March 4, 2027 | Register for Spring CI 2027 |
| Thursdays | September 30 - October 21, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm pm ET | September 16, 2027 | Register for CI Fall 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 name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register by | Register (Square) Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elective | Coaching Skills Lab | Inquire if interested - scheduled 1-2x/year | N/A | |||
| Client Enrollment Best Practices | Wednesdays | June 16 and 30, July 14, 2027 | 1:00 - 2:30 pm ET | June 2, 2027 | Register for Summer 2027 |
Full Schedule of Foundation Training Courses
| # | Course name | Weekday | Dates | Time | Register by | Register (Square) Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Coaching Essentials | Tuesdays | January 12 - March 2, 2027 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET | December 8, 2026 | Enroll Now |
| Wednesdays | April 7 - May 26, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 4:00 - 5:30 pm ET | March 10, 2027 | Enroll Now | ||
| Tuesdays | September 28 - November 16, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 4:00 - 5:30 pm ET | August 31, 2027 | Enroll Now | ||
| 02 | Strengths Based Coaching | Tuesdays | March 30 - April 27, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET | March 16, 2027 | Enroll Now |
| Tuesdays | July 27 - August 24, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed) | July 13, 2027 | Enroll Now | ||
| 03 | Brain Based Coaching | Tuesdays | May 25 - June 29, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed) | May 11, 2027 | Enroll Now |
| Tuesdays | September 21 - October 26, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET; or 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET (if needed) | September 2, 2027 | Enroll Now | ||
| 04 | Life and ADHD Coaching | Thursdays | January 14 - February 18, 2027 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET | January 1, 2027 | Enroll Now |
| Thursdays | July 29 - September 2, 2027 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET | July 15, 2027 | Enroll Now | ||
| 05 | Coach Integration | Thursdays | March 18 - April 8, 2026 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm pm ET | March 4, 2027 | Enroll NowF |
| Thursdays | September 30 - October 21, 2027 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm pm ET | September 16, 2027 | |||
| Elective | Coaching Skills Lab | Inquire if interested - scheduled 1-2x/year | N/A | |||
| Client Enrollment Best Practices | Wednesdays | June 16 and 30, July 14, 2027 | 1:00 - 2:30 pm ET | June 2, 2027 | Enroll NowF | |
| 06 | Coaching Ethics and Integrity | Wednesdays | February 3, 10, 17, 2027 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET | January 20, 2027 | Enroll Now |
| Wednesdays | June 17, 24, July 8, 2027 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET | June 3, 2027 | Enroll Now |
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.
