Why I Sought ICF Training & Certification
According to the 2023 International Coaching Federation Global Report Coaching Study the coaching industry continues to grow and flourish (especially during Covid). To read the full report, you will need to pay a fee.
In the last several weeks I have been honored to spend time meeting with hopeful coaches who are considering enrollment in a coaching program and/or certification through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Often I am asked, "What was your reason for seeking further training”, so I thought I would create a blog post to answer that question and some of the other popular questions I receive.
Although I launched my company on a part-time basis in 2017, a series of significant family health issues and my son’s life-changing spinal cord injury in 2021 delayed my ability to step into my business on a full-time basis. The focus of my work also shifted from well-being to strengths-based team and individual coaching.
I hold a master’s degree in counseling and have completed hundreds of hours facilitating groups and supervising individuals through the Center for Mind-Body Medicine. I was certified in 2016 as a Gallup Certified Coach. I looked for many years at ICF-accredited programs, but there were so many that I could not begin to choose or even narrow them down.
A common question I am asked is “With so many certifications and an advanced degree, why did you seek additional training?” In higher education it can be easy to subscribe to the idea that one needs more certifications or degrees, but for me, that was not the driving force. I felt that there was a gap between my coaching skills and the work I desired to do. In essence, I knew that in order to partner with teams and individuals to create real and lasting change, I needed to go deeper but I wasn’t sure how.
Enter my mentor coach Jennifer Vancil Doyle. Jennifer told me about the Awaken Coach Institute Training that she attended in a small village in Spain. She provided compelling testimony about her transformative experience that led me to know that the program was the right fit for me.
So, why would I travel from my home in Northern Minnesota to a small and remote village off the Camino de Santiago in Spain for an eight-day training? Well, given all of the grieving and the challenges I had faced in the years prior, I knew that I needed a pilgrimage of my own. Honestly, my heart longed for space and time to process what I knew would be deep and self-reflective learning.
Additionally, I knew that as an adult learner, it would be important for me to be “all in” and to prioritize the learning and the experience. I had also never traveled alone internationally.
I am not sure how I moved from pre-contemplation of the idea to action (coaching lingo), but I did. I remember beginning to open myself to possibilities and intentionally moving away from the scarcity mindset that I had held my whole life (and learned from my family of origin). As I began to think about what was possible, I took some calculated risks.
I borrowed money from our local Entrepreneurship Fund to pay for the training. The loan also opened doors to free marketing services and a website overhaul. Later I learned about special Workforce Development grant money that reimbursed eligible employees for training that led to certifications. I learned about this from a coaching client.
When all was said and done, the Workforce Development money paid for more than half of the training in Spain!
Upon return from Spain, I worked hard to obtain my ICF certification as a Professional Coaching Certification. Because Awaken Coach Institute is an ICF Level 1 and 2 certified program, the pathway is much shorter to navigate and is built into the Awaken Coach Training.
I am proud to be an Awaken Coach Institute alumni, and now a faculty member. I no longer feel that I lack the tools to do the deep work with clients to help them reach their full potential. I am always learning and the Awaken community is a place of rich resources and opportunities.
I am honored to be certified by ICF as a coach. I appreciate the structure, the resources, and the ethical guidance that ICF provides. I even joined the Minnesota branch of ICF and have taken advantage of coaching enrichment opportunities in that community as well.
Having an ICF Coaching Certification opened doors for me to do coaching with specific companies. Because of the reputation of ICF, I believe the certification is widely recognized and valued. I also purchased liability insurance through an ICF affiliate. Additionally, ICF has online forums to join, additional training, sample contracts, and more
Remote coaching can sometimes feel isolating, yet I am blessed to be a part of the Awaken Coach Institute community, the CliftonStrengths Coaching community, and now the ICF community. Each month there are multiple events that I can attend to enrich my coaching skills and make connections with fellow coaches. I can access continued mentor coaching and coaching supervision through the Awaken Membership Community.
If you have stayed with me throughout this post, thank you. If I can provide any resources or answer any questions you may have, do not hesitate to reach out.
I am excited to host the first Awaken Coach Institute Training in the United States this October. AND, there are still spaces available in the Spain cohort this June.
It isn’t too late. You won’t regret your decision to pursue a training that is the “right” fit for you.
Please note that if you are in the United States, there are likely funds or loans available to support your training. I am also willing to consult with you on resources.
Best Wishes on your journey!