CERTIFICATE IN LIFE COACHING SKILLS

Certificate In Life Coaching Skills with Laurel Alexander

Entry Requirements Course Accreditation How it's Delivered Further Study Syllabus Costs and Enrolment

Complementary HealthCare is a training provider member of the Association for Coaching

Life coaches provide support, structure and encouragement to help clients fulfill their potential, make the most of their lives and move forward in the areas which they want to change – for example in their relationships, careers, fitness, work-life balance or self-confidence.

By observation, listening and questioning, life coaches explore with clients their situation, values and beliefs. They work with clients to find ways in which they might achieve their aims and help them to set appropriate goals. By remaining supportive and non-judgmental, life coaches encourage clients to maintain motivation and commitment and to find ways of overcoming barriers and setbacks. They may challenge assumptions through constructive feedback, but do not tell clients what to do; their main aim is to empower clients to take control of their life by finding answers for themselves. They may sometimes suggest referral to an appropriate therapist if a client agrees that they would benefit from this.

Life coaches may work with individuals or in a business environment. Some offer a general service, others specialize in a particular area such as executive and business coaching, life transitions or spiritual coaching. Life coaches are able to set their own working hours. They usually work from home or an office. Life coaches usually work in weekly sessions lasting between 30 minutes and an hour, but this is negotiable with the client. Sessions can be conducted face to face or often over the phone or online. Additional time will be spent for each session in preparation and review. To be a life coach you should:

• be patient, positive and encouraging
• have good knowledge of human behaviour
• have excellent questioning and listening skills
• be able to build rapport and trust with clients
• have a non-judgmental approach
• be impartial and non-directional
• have the ability to solve problems creatively
• be able to maintain confidentiality
  

Life coaches earn on average £50 to £75 a session although some may earn up to £250 an hour, particularly for corporate work. They may take the client’s financial circumstances into account when charging.

learndirect (www.learndirect.co.uk)

ACCORDING TO LEARNDIRECT, LIFE COACHING IS A GROWTH MARKET

Entry Requirement for Certificate in Life Coaching Skills

To qualify for entry to the Certificate in Life Coaching Skills, you should be over 21 and have good English reading and writing skills.

Who is the Course For?

This course is suitable for: HR personnel, complementary therapists, community workers and anyone whose work employs helping skills and who is interested in life coaching.

Course Accreditation

The Certificate in Life Coaching Skills will provide you with a professional qualification and is independently accredited by the National Council of Psychotherapists (NCP) at Affiliate Level, enabling you to set up in practice.
Following successful completion of this course, you are eligible for membership of the National Council of Psychotherapists and can be entered onto their register. You can also apply for insurance so that you can practice life coaching.

The NCP is one of the longest established and prestigious societies of its type in the UK, being formed in 1971. Visit their website at www.natcouncilofpsychotherapists.org.uk.

The Certificate would be a level 3. This level of qualification recognizes "the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding." Learning at this level involves “obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work”. Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

How the Certificate is delivered

Complementary HealthCare offers the Certificate in Life Coaching Skills through blended learning whereby you can start your course at any time of the year. The mode of delivery is by supported open learning (home-study) and supervised practice at times to suit.

Benefits of blended learning:

• You can start your course anytime
• You can complete your study as quickly as you like or you can take up to 2 years
• Access your course 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week
• You have the benefit of 1-2-1 tuition throughout your period of study
• The 48 hours of supervised coaching practice can be taken when you like e.g. day, evening or Saturdays
• You will be working with a variety of volunteer clients
• You can enjoy self-directed learning where you work at your own pace, with full tutor support in person and via email, phone, post and webcam
• There are unique opportunities to develop self confidence and skills with quality feedback and challenge

Supported open learning

Supported open learning is designed to give you the underpinning knowledge you need in order to practice life coaching skills. There are 4 sections containing learning material including guided reading and set assignments which you complete at home in your own time. The assignments are sent to your tutor for marking and comment. Throughout your learning, there is full tutor support in person and via phone, post, email and webcam.

In addition to the assignments, you will need to complete a research project by the end of the course.

Supervised practice

You will accumulate 48 hours of supervised life coaching skills practice. Thirty of these hours will be taken in Brighton in a real-life coaching environment, at times to suit (day, evening or Saturdays). You will be working with a range of volunteer clients.

Case studies

As part of your supervised practice; you will complete 3 case studies, each seen 6 times.

Mentoring and Self Development

The Certificate in Life Coaching Skills has a strong focus on self-awareness for each student as a firm and ongoing foundation for both personal and professional development. Your self development is reflected in your learning journal which you will keep throughout the time you are on this course. You will also have 4 hours of personal coaching during the time you are on this course which can happen by phone or face-to-face in Brighton, Sussex.

Assessment

There are 150 hours of learning for the Certificate in Life Coaching Skills plus 48 hours of supervised coaching.

Assessment for the Certificate in Life Coaching Skills occurs through:

• Supervised coaching practice
• Assignments
• Reflective learning journal
• Completion of a research project related to an aspect of life coaching
• 3 case studies (each seen six times)

Syllabus for Certificate in Life Coaching Skills

Course Introduction
Learning Agreement - Course objectives - Accreditation and qualification process - Completing the learning journal

Basics of Life Coaching
What life coaching is - Working within a Code of Ethics - Evaluating own values and beliefs and their impact on own practice - Understanding the need to provide life coaching without prejudice - Theoretical models in life coaching e.g. GROW

Initiating a Life Coaching Process
The Welcome Pack - Building client rapport - Using verbal and non-verbal language - Active listening skills - Using effective questioning - Understand the relevance of life cycles - Learning styles - Setting goals with clients and co-creating a Personal Action Plan

Managing and Maintaining a Life Coaching Process
Identifying common cognitive errors - The ABC model for cognitive behavioural interventions - Analyzing automatic thoughts and beliefs - Facilitating cognitive change - Facilitating behavioural change - Cognitive/imagery interventions - Helping a client build self-esteem - Keeping a client motivated - Demonstrating a skill to a client (including role-play) – Journaling - Providing feedback - Record keeping - Telephone coaching skills - E-coaching - Knowing when and how to refer a client on

Conclusion, Review and Evaluation in a Life Coaching Process
Summarizing coaching outcomes - Creating an ongoing personal development plan - Ending the coaching process

Course Ending
Course evaluation - CPD of the life coach - Importance of mentoring/supervision

Student Comments

There isn’t a part of the course I don’t enjoy as I really like being challenged. TC, 28 Seiki practitioner

The learning support has been fantastic. Everything is made very clear by Laurel. JD

I found the course very interesting. The aspect I found most revealing was whatever presented as the 'concern' e.g. work, personal or health issues – behind it all, are our experiences and attitudes which colour our outlook on life which in turn dictates how we approach our problems. The course was very informative and helped expand my knowledge and presented some interesting aspects to deal with. The case studies helped 'bring things together' and provided real opportunities to use the tools given. Brenda, stress management therapist

I know Laurel is at the end of the phone if I need her and I find her comments on the tasks very insightful. I would say that it is a very positive course and that in addition to learning about coaching, there is a lot of self development. It is a very supportive way in which to learn. MH

I enjoyed the Foundation Course, especially learning about how to use questioning and listening skills and motivating others. I also thoroughly enjoyed learning about TA which put a lot of my behaviors in place for me. Jan, retired oncology nurse

I enjoy doing a course that is organized well! It gives me a feeling that I am making progress. Tasnein

I have learnt a lot. I feel more confident and assertive in all areas of my life and am using the skills we are developing in the sessions in every day life. Melanie, 45, special needs co-ordinator

Further Study

Upon successful completion of the Certificate in Life Coaching Skills, you can go onto the Diploma in Wellness Coaching, the Diploma in Personal Development Coaching, the Diploma in Career Coaching or the Diploma in Holistic Stress Management.

Cost

The fee of £1,200 includes:

• A professional qualification in Life Coaching Skills with the National Council of Psychotherapists and accreditation to Affiliate level (ANCP would go after your name)
• An experienced tutor who is a working life coach
• Learning material
• Over 150 hours of supported open learning
• 48 hours of supervised skills development with a variety of clients
• 4 hours of personal coaching
• Ongoing home-study support by email, phone and webcam
• Contact with other students
• Study-buddy support
• Career guidance

You will need to purchase course books amounting to approximately £100. All of them are available from www.amazon.co.uk.

Payment options:

1. Complete fee in advance: 10% off (£1,080)
2. Three installments: £200 upon enrolment plus two further installments of £500
3. Monthly installments: £200 upon enrolment with 10 installments of £100 per month

You can pay by cheque, standing order, BACS or online.

What Next?

If you would like to apply for the Certificate in Life Coaching Skills, please complete the enrolment form and send together with your remittance (complete fee or initial remittance of £200), made payable to Laurel Alexander, to the address on the enrolment form.

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