In coach training we often talk about a coaching confidence. This is a belief in yourself and a belief in the coaching process as a whole.

At International Coach Academy we believe that actual coaching practice is central to learning.  Practice builds confidence and allows students to apply the techniques and skills learned in class to real life situations. Students start of by being coached by peers then coaching their peers in return.  There is also the opportunity to coach in class and receive constructive feedback from trainers in Coaching Labs, Mentor Coaching, Observed Coaching, and Coach Supervision classes as well as Peer Coaching. Each area of coach development are aimed at practicing different skills and gaining practical experience in coaching.

ICA Coaching Labs are where you can practice and observe coaching in the context of the ICF competencies.  An expert coach facilitator will observe a live coaching session and then using a 'stop the clock' technique, they will ​interrupt the coaching session to highlight the use of a specific ICF Competency .  Using an ICA worksheet, students observing the coaching will make note of any competencies they observe, and then encouraged to share these with the group following the session.

Mentor Coaching is an opportunity to apply your learning from other parts of the program in class and receive feedback. You will participate in coaching role plays and observed by an experienced coach (Mentor Coaching trainers hold an ACC or PCC credential)

- To practice coaching aligned to the Coaching Competencies as given by the International Coach Federation (ICF)

- To understand and articulate the coaching skills and techniques used in your coaching sessions

- To analyze and identify your learning from the coaching session

- To identify and outline your coaching process

- To recognize your strengths and nurture them, recognize your weaknesses and overcome them

- To demonstrate how you evaluate your coaching session

- To be prepared for the Observed Coaching Course that you are required to take toward graduation.

Observed Coaching is similar to Mentor Coaching in that you will coach and receive feedback by an experienced MCC or PCC coach.  But, unlike our regular classes, our Observed classes have only 6 students and are an intimate experience where students receive verbal and written feedback.  Observed Coaching is the final preparation for assessment and graduation.

There are many professions around the world who have been practicing this for many years. Psychiatrists, Social Workers etc. all have regular sessions with a more experienced person from their profession to talk through challenges and issues that come up in their daily practice.

In supervision, the focus is on the coach’s awareness of what’s happening consciously and unconsciously during coaching sessions. In coaching supervision, there is a greater emphasis on who you are and how you are being with your clients in the broadest sense.  It invites a big picture review of your coaching practice and is intended as a resource for the coach when encountering challenging situations and managing the emotional and energetic demands of holding a safe space for clients. All coaching involves human interaction and all human interactions have the potential for entanglement.

In short, coaching supervision offers the more experienced coach a richer and broader opportunity for support and development.

Coach Supervision is only available to students in the Advanced Coach Training Program

Peer Coaching is one of the most beneficial parts of your coach training course. You will connect with coaches from all over the world and in many different industries and professions. Students set up real coaching appointments and get to experience the coach/client relationship in a learning environment.

The Peer Coaching Program is self regulated, which means it is up to you to get yourself a coach and to offer yourself as a coach. You can do this in the Peer Coaching Forum.  You can do as many peer coaching hours as you like but each coach training course has a minimum number of hours required.

Being a client is an underrated way of learning about coaching. Through your peer coach you will get a feel for what works and what doesn't, and truly experience what it is like to be on the other end of the coach.

As a coach you will practice the many new skills you will be learning in this course, and you will do so in a safe and supportive coaching relationship. Your coach is a student just like you so feel free to experiment and make mistakes.

You can do as many peer coaching hours as you like but each coach training course has a minimum number of hours required. Take advantage of the peer coaching opportunity to put coaching techniques into practice.