Aaahhhh finally I made THE move on the road of becoming a life coach ! I chose my training program. It’s iPec!
I took a lot of time assessing programs. It’s an important investment and a major step in my career as a life coach. I have a strong will to become a successful life coach but I lack the coaching skills. It took me two months to choose the best program for me. When I asked classmates, it also took them a lot of time choosing it. So let me explain here how I choose my training program.
I was looking for a life coach training program. I was disappointed that all the coach training in France are dedicated to corporate and/or executive coaching only. I wanted to find a good reputation and serious program that would help me build up my coaching skills and help me to become a life coach. Almost everyday, during two months, I was gathering information. I’ve even built a spreadsheets to compare them! So lost 🙂
My criteria
I shortlisted:
– Coach U,
– Coaches Training Institute (CTI),
– The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC),
– Martha Beck Life Coach Training,
– International Coach Academy (ICA).
- ACTP program
- ACTP program are ICF (International coach Federation) approved training program that give a comprehensive program teaching around the ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics and the ICF definition of coaching. ACTP programs are listed on ICF training program directory. Martha Beck program is not accredited by ICF.
- Program principle and content
- My goals is to become a life coach. All the accredited coaching programs in France focus on corporate and executive coaching. Even if I could have obtained some funding for French programs, I preferred to focus on life coaching programs only.
Most of the programs teach the coaching methodology and principles created by the training. Some others cover various coaching principles. My point was to find the principle that fitted my coaching style. - Focus on the becoming a coach
- I believe that a life coach should have a high level of consciousness, be self-aware and be self-developed to walk the talk. In iPec and Coach U, the programs help to raise the student consciousness.
- Online and flexible course
- Since I live in France, I preferred a program that can be completed fully or partly as distance learning. I could open my options to do few in-person training in Europe. International Coach Academy has an extremely flexible schedule (60 classes a week)
- Cost
- Intensive program and time to completion
The cost of each training class varied from $6 000 to $11 000 but I was more worried that there would be some hidden fees. For example, the cheapest training class didn’t include the mandatory mentoring coaching or exam fees.
Since I’ve discover my ideal job, I wanted to become a life coach as soon as possible but at the same time to have a comprehensive program that would last from 6 to 12 months maximum. It is one of the reasons I didn’t choose Coach U because their Advanced Coaching program took at last 18 months minimum to complete. Some program offer FastTrack option (Coach U and CTI).
Collect information
To make up my mind, I was collecting as much information as possible and in every way to be sure about my choice.
It is an important investment of money and most of all an essential step to become a life coach.
- Read the programs over and over
- Some programs don’t give details of their content. I had troubles to find out how many hours they teach in their program.
- Check the program reputation online
- Here are the most famous life coaching programs according to my researches: Coach U, CTI, iPec.
- Call the program
- You can talk to a program advisor and ask all the questions you want. They are very helpful.
- Attend free tele-classes
- Every program schedules some presentation about the content and the principle of the program. I did all the free tele-class for to all the programs I shortlisted :).
- Buy the books
- It is important for me that the program principles fit and resonate with my values. I want to help people find their true self, their passion and reach their dreams. Coaching is not only about coaching tools or techniques such as NLP, EFT or transactional analysis. To learn about the training philosophy, I read their book.
The most famous programs published their own coaching books: CTI Co-active, iPec, Martha Beck - Talk to alumni
- I’ve found many iPec alumni on linkedin and on blogs. They were extremely helpful.
My life coach training program : iPec !
After so much research, I was lost. My last 2 options were iPec and CTI. They fit all my criteria about the intensive program, reputation, price, online course, flexibility…
What finally made the difference for me was the program principles. During the complementary tele-class, I got hooked when the presenter said:
« CORE Energy Coaching process: a process that to tap into the inner purpose and passion of a person, couple, group, or organization, and combine that with an action-oriented plan to achieve extraordinary and sustainable results»
iPec principle completely resonates with how I see coaching. I signed up in January. I haven’t regretted a second. The program is amazing. From the first tele-class, the first exercise, the first in-person training, I’ve loved it.
It took me a lot of time to choose but I chose the right training for me. I found my tribe, my people. They are teaching us to become coaches and to walk the talk.
Here’s a website that was very interesting. They list the best programs in life coaching
http://www.nationalcoachacademy.com/life-coach-training-the-3-best-training-programs
If you have more questions
If you have any questions about iPec (the program, the specialties, my experience), I would be glad to help you so don’t hesitate to contact me on contact@annachen.fr.
I’m an iPec ambassador ! It would be my pleasure to refer you <3
11 Comments
I notice this post is a bit old, but if you’ve started/completed the iPEC program, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’ve also been researching and trying to decide and I’m leaning towards iPEC as well!
Hi, Yeah I’ve posted this article a while a go. iPec is the most life changing experience I’ve ever had. There I met my tribe. I really strongly recommend it. After finishing iPec, I’ve had solid coaching skills. If you want to know more about it don’t hesitate to send me an email at contact@annachen.fr. I would be pleased to answer your questions 🙂
[…] ma part, j’ai été formée à l’iPec qui est une école de coaching américaine. Je ne trouvais pas mon bonheur dans l’offre de […]
Hi Anna, I just found/read your post and I am so grateful for your candor, insights and thoughtful summaries. There is a coach that I like in the States who got her certification with CTI, however I just did one of their introductory webinars and I unfortunately wasn’t too impressed or excited about researching them further. I am going to look into doing the intro webinar for iPec right now as well. I hope all is going well for you and your new coaching career, thank you again for this information!
Hi Carrie, I’m glad that you found my post. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with iPec and make up your mind. The best way to choose is to feel it. They have introductory webinars and admission coaches as well. Keep me updated on the process for you ! Enjoy 🙂
Thanks for your prompt reply Anna! I have submitted my information to iPec for their initial webinar and am going to also pursue some of the videos on their site ASAP — essentially since summer cohorts seem to be coming up soon. I was a bit bummed that CTI didn’t span out the way I thought it would as I had high hopes based on the coach I know who went through their program. I should probably not give up after 1 session. 😉 Would you be open to be potentially contacting you via your regular email? Thank you again for this, it was a real gift and I hope to return the kindness, or at the very least, pay it forward! xx
Hi Carrie !
I just realized I didn’t replied to your last comment… So one year later let me repare that 😀
So how did the webinar go with iPec ?
Yes I am open to be contacted on my regular email contact@annachen.fr.
Wow… I was sitting at my computer saying to myself… “iPEC or CTI?!?! HOW DO I CHOOSE?” At first, it seemed like CTI was the most legitimate/respected, but when I stumbled upon iPEC today, I did just “feel” something different. I’m a collaborative family law attorney and mediator in Michigan (USA) and I’ve always felt like I was meant to be a therapist. I’m an entrepreneur and have my own law firm, but I wake up every morning thinking there’s gotta be something more… something that makes me feel more alive and brings out my personality. When I met a Life Coach near my office, a light bulb went off. I think this is really what I’m meant to do. When I started researching, I was going through similar questions like you (expense, length, location, etc.). I think this post helped me make up my mind. I cannot wait to transition my career and get started. I have a phone call with iPEC admissions this week!
When the universe answers the call :). Love your story. You followed that nudge telling that there is something more. I’m glad that my post was helpful and brought some insight on iPec. You “feel” that iPec is different. That’s what iPec does to people haha. I hope that your call with he iPec admissions will be great ! They are amazing.
I wish you all the best on the road to become a coach <3 See you on the other side !
Hi Anna,
Thankyou so much for such precise yet comprehensive review.
When I was researching CTI it seems like students have to find their own coaches and pay themselves VS IPEC includes it in their program.
Did I understand correctly?
Also how many hours during the week one has to spend studying?In theory it sounds pretty easy but I am sure that is not the case.I have spoken to one of iPEC’s admission coaches and one thing I did find they are not trying to sell a product I have also looked into Marian Moresys program but the coach I spoke to by the end of the conversation got a little annoyed when I asked her the cost.
I also read the book Walks of Life by Jill Fratto she also got her certification from iPEC its a pretty comprehensive book.
How is the book that iPEC published?
Hi Anjum,
When you say the student have to search for their own coaches in CTI, do you mean mentor coaches ? If so, Yes in iPec the mentor coaches are included in the program. It’s much more convenient.
For a typical, studying week, you have 1,5h of teleclass, 1h where you coach a peer coach, 1h where you are coached by a peer coach, 1h of group call. You have as well the coursework and the mentor calls. Actually, it might seems much but it’s pretty doable.
Sorry I don’t know the Marian Moresys program.
The iPec book “Energy Leadership” is very interesting. It presents a case study where the energy leadership principles is put in action in a company. It is a mind blowing coaching tool. If you are curious I would advise you to read 😉
I hope I answered your questions.
Anna