Coaching/mentoring training
How to become a coach/mentor
Many people who train in coaching/mentoring realise that they may have been coaching and mentoring either in church roles or in their work for a number of years. This is a good grounding for becoming a recognised or accredited coach/mentor. This process takes focus, training, and growing in emotional and self-awareness.
Depending on the type of coach/mento you would like to become, and your previous coaching and mentoring experience, there are different options.
- Reading about coaching and mentoring could be a good place to start.
- There are a number of informal introductory coaching courses.
- There are some informal Christian short training courses, lasting from a few hours to a week long.
- Formal generic coaching courses, run with the possibility of accreditation with one of the major accrediting bodies, tend to last between a few months and a year, and vary in cost.
It takes up to a year of part-time study, training and practice to become a coach/mentor, and ongoing development to continue to refine the skills and grow personally.
It is recommended by ACC that if you are interested in becoming a coach/mentor, you also receive coaching/mentoring, and possibly personal therapy as part of the journey towards training.
Introductory courses may be found locally, or in a local church network. Some church denominations run their own training courses for coaches/mentors.
Academic training courses may be found up to and including masters degree level. Alternatively, there are independent trainers/training organisations that offer professional training but without a formal qualification. It is important to explore which accrediting body is associated with a training course, as this will ensure that the training will meet the competencies and level required for practice, and also to check what the requirements are for becoming accredited beyond the training course itself. Many training courses require participants to accrue coaching practice hours beyond the training course in order to achieve accreditation.
We are delighted to have a new membership for coaches and mentors who are Christian and want to belong to an organisation that values the integration of psychological wellbeing with faith and spirituality for the benefit of people of all faiths and none.