Life Coaching Essentials — Introduction to Transformational Coaching
The Foundations of Inspired Coaching
Begin your coach training with the essentials
Life Coaching Essentials is paired with the Deep Coaching Intensive to create a comprehensive transformational coach training.
It is designed for those pursuing an International Coach Federation (ICF) credential through our Deep Coaching Portfolio Program, providing a strong foundation in life coaching skills and frameworks.
You’ll learn the ICF Core Competencies alongside our own coaching philosophy, giving you both depth and practical capability.
This cohort-based component begins three weeks before the Deep Coaching Intensive. We encourage you to enroll early so you have time to prepare for the three group training calls.
Focus on What Matters
Designed to focus on the essential skills and competencies of inspired coaching, giving you a strong foundation and real capability as a life coach.
Skills, Tools & Frameworks
You’ll receive a broad set of exercises, models, and tools to help you develop your personal coaching approach and toolkit.
Instructor Supported
The program includes three instructor-led Group Training Calls and two one-to-one Coach Development Calls to support your learning.
Curriculum
Our program equips you to change lives and thrive in your coaching journey:
The Life Coaching Essentials curriculum is grouped into 4 modules with a total of 16 units.
Module 1: What is coaching? (Coaching foundation)
Key learning outcome: Coaching knowledge. Establishes what coaching is as a professional field and how it supports positive change and growth.
Module 2: How coaching works (Core coaching competencies)
Key learning outcome: Coaching skills. Introduces the core competencies or 'pillars' that define coaching as a unique self-development approach
Module 3: Co-creating the relationship and environment
Key learning outcome: Relationship development. Develops your ability to create effective, trust-based coaching relationships with clients.
Module 4: Cultivating learning and growth
Key learning outcome: Coaching structures. Covers the frameworks and structures that enhance your impact—both in individual sessions and across your overall practice.
Course Features
Dedicated Instructor-led Learning
Our seasoned Learning Leaders are here to help you get the foundational understanding and practice of coaching so that you're set up for success.
Study at Your Own Pace
Online learning allows you to participate from anywhere in the world. Although we have the three scheduled Group Training Calls to start, the rest of the course can be taken at your own pace, as your schedule permits.
Practice Coaching with Your Peers
A theoretical understanding without the practical application won't get you very far. This is why we include opportunities for you to coach your peers and receive direct feedback to improve your coaching.
Resource Rich Learnsite
Our online learnsite is host to all course materials. You can access it any time, on your computer using a browser or on a mobile device using a dedicated app.
A Wide Array of Resources
To ensure a robust and comprehensive training, the course provides a wide range of supplementary materials and resources to deepen your understanding of the materials and to begin building your coaching practice, including:
Video tutorials
Audios and podcasts
Coaching tools, frameworks and models
Life Coaching demonstrations
Coaching questions and exercises
Forms and templates for your coaching business
Worksheets for coach and client
Session templates and intake forms
Life Coaching Essentials is bundled with the Deep Coaching Intensive in our Deep Coaching Portfolio Program, and delivered through a blend of self-study, 3 interactive Group Training Calls, and 2 Coach Development Calls with a professional coach trainer.
Enrollment
Deep Coaching Portfolio Program
If you’re aiming for an ICF ACC credential or want a solid grounding in life-coaching fundamentals before taking the DCI...register for Life Coaching Essentials within the Deep Coaching Portfolio Program.
Testimonials That Inspire
Iris Hainstock
Canada
"Let me start with a WOW! And thank you! This program went beyond my wildest imaginings, because I did not know what to expect, even though from the very start you asked us to reflect on our deepest intentions for being here. I want to acknowledge you, Leon, and the whole group for creating such a magical learning environment!”
Peter van Wijk
Netherlands
"The Deep Coaching Intensive was an adventures journey with great insights, breakthroughs and aha’s. For my own transformation the whole period of the course was of great value. It gave words and direction to the process, which was till that moment, rocky and painful. All the material, video’s and link’s presented contributed to a never-ending supply of inspiration. Leon…thank you from the bottom of my reopened heart for all the wisdom, guidance, material, coaching session, aha’s, etc.”
Jo Read
Australia
"I find it hard to remember who I was at the beginning of the DCI course. It’s as if I have de-identified with a former way of being, which I know to be true! I hold gratitude in my heart for Leon’s courage to travel his own hero’s journey, and for his capacity to create wisdom-filled, insightful, love-filled programs and to support me in my transformation.”
Venkat Chittambakkam
India
"The DCI is a coaching program and so much more! I view it as a path to learning life skills. I learnt, experienced and was inspired. I became a better coach. The DCI has added such depth to my coaching. I have redefined what personal power means, and I am more powerful in the world today than I have ever been. And I have been more accepted in a corporate environment than ever before. Most importantly, I have discovered a new way to live.”
Shahira Rifaat
Egypt
"It was truly amazing. I am so blessed. I learnt that deep transformative change starts with me and not with others. I learnt that to be able to Deep Coach others, I must feel what it feels like to transform myself; what it feels like to feel pain; what it feels like to be scared; what it feels like to be uncertain or lost. Then I can be authentic in my support. I’m mostly grateful to be part of this course. Thank you everyone for an amazing journey and thank you Leon for everything and for all the knowledge you have shared with us.”
Tony Pisanelli
Australia
"I found the program to be a highly memorable experience, rich in learning, with deep insights and sharing from the heart. I really enjoyed the ambience that permeated the intensive; there was a sense of calmness, warmth and the presence of a higher spirit. The training was conducted very much in alignment with the principles promoted throughout.”
Lisa Busch
USA
"The class was magical for me. The stages of personal power, the hero’s journey, and the caterpillar in the cocoon are clear and defining images I can take with me as I continue on my transformational journey. I am learning to trust more in the journey without the need to have a clear-cut goal or vision yet, only knowing that God does and I am walking with Him, trusting that He will reveal each next step as I need to know it. I am grateful for the entire experience the DCI class. Thank you Leon!”
Joy Voeth
Barbados
"The Deep Coaching Intensive provided me with many incredibly useful learnings and personal insights, especially in helping me to understand the process of supporting transformation within others. The magnificence of Spirit and the potential for each of us to pursue our own Truth of Knowing about who it is we truly are ...this I will take into my coaching practice. I'm so delighted, because I have been sensing for a while now the need to move my coaching into this arena. How good is it to be blessed with this new knowledge of where to begin! Perfect, me thinks.”
Rania Bedeir
Egypt
"Thank you Leon for embodying the qualities of the silent hand of God’s grace and manifesting it in the abundance, generosity, and humbleness in passing on the knowledge, in opening of his heart, in his constant presence and in believing passionately in this work and sharing that with all of us. Leon. Words don’t do you justice. God bless your amazing heart and God bless you all. I am forever in your gratitude.”
Ashraf Helal
Egypt
"I’m so fortunate to have been a part of a learning experience that is simple, deep and enlightening. The Deep Coaching program has been a mind-altering educational program and a transforming experience for me. Getting to connect with Leon VanderPol and to learn directly from his wisdom, taught me how to stay present, connect to myself and connect to my clients in a whole new way and level. It’s been over a year, but I still maintain a calmer and clearer mind during coaching, a deeper interest in connection and an imbedded awareness of the Deep Coaching process, where the coach needs to “allow” transformation to happen rather than “push” anything to happen.”
Betty Zhang
China
"After the Deep Coaching Intensive, it seemed to open a door for me to enter an experimental world where coaching can make a real change in a person's life, rather than just help people to solve a few problems. It was the BEST time to meet Leon, and to have the chance to learn Deep Coaching. I am so grateful that everything was arranged so well!”
Christine Vulimu
Kenya
"The healing space brought great new insights for me. The course opened up with a spirit of oneness, and provided an opportunity for all the participants to express themselves freely. I am grateful for this program and the open space it has made available for me to heal, learn and engage in real life coaching. I am willing and open to keep learning. Thank you Leon!”
Jayanthi Hari
USA
"I went into the course wondering how much more there could be to learn about coaching, having had a foundation in yoga and spirituality for over 10 years and a coaching certification to boot. To my delight, this has been a truly transformative experience -- a different way of being has emerged that is harmonious, trusting, attuned, and connected with the heart. My coaching outcomes are far more impactful and sustaining. The quality of the material was outstanding, the spiritual connection within the group extraordinary. Above all, Leon was a shining beacon of transformation, guidance, support and healing. I am convinced that Deep Coaching is a far more powerful way to touch lives and witness their movement towards something glorious.”
Patrick Hanegraaf
Netherlands
"There so much more to discover and absorb from the course- a lot that still has to sink and anchor in. It was a wonderful journey, and I have the feeling that I am still on the journey. I learned so much. I want to acknowledge Leon, the way you spoke really resonated with me. You gave me more energy: energy in self-confidence and energy to believe in myself.”
Suzi Finkelstein
Australia
"Leon, the DCI was so impactful for me! I gained professionally and personally. The course structure enabled me to learn valuable methodology as well as experience the process vicariously and personally. I was so impressed with your ability to create and hold this space. Your honesty, accessibility and authenticity allowed us to follow your lead. I look forward to working with you in any capacity moving forward – you have opened the door for huge learnings and experiences ahead and I am excited to continue this journey.”
Scott Masciarelli
USA
"The peace that I feel after completing DCI is wonderful. I was not exactly sure what to expect but I can say that as soon as I saw the description of this intensive I knew that I had to be a part of it. I’m glad that I took action and enrolled. Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful and healing experience!”
Tala Ocampo
Singapore
"Deep Coaching Intensive really taught me how to first and foremost LIVE DEEPLY. At the end of the day, you can only truly COACH DEEPLY when you yourself are living it. Not necessarily perfectly, but IN IT!”
Alex Stewart
Australia
"It was amazing and fun and profound. At the same time I was struck by the 3 things that mattered most to me: the presence and space held by Leon, the presence of Spirit, and by my essential Self emerging. This triangular relationship is what allows the transformation to occur. I am deeply grateful to now know first hand a process that I can share with my future clients as is needed and wanted.”
Jebichi Maswan
Kenya
"When I saw the title of the course ‘Deep Coaching’, I knew I had to be part of the experience. My experience coaching young adults made me believe there is more to coaching than setting goals and taking action – they needed to be in touch with their feelings and deeper self. The course was practical and interactive, and the opportunity to observe and experience deep coaching gave me new insights: I realized I needed to live from the heart and allow my life to evolve organically.”
Antoni Tabin
Poland
"The Deep Coaching Intensive was an important step on my own journey through life. The course itself reinforced, enriched, and widened my own transformational process as it has been unfolding for a few years now. It gave me permission to look at life again from the center of my heart – something that was buried deep inside, then reemerged throughout my process of awakening. Now it is being put at the center of my spiritual path, as a way to express my core values and to act out my most genuine and profound visions of a fulfilled life. Thank you Leon for this!”
Dasa Suissa
Czech Republic
"This course will always have a special place in my life. It met me at the peak of my stress, and my life changed on so many fronts. It is not easy to articulate the fullness of what is happening and to capture the rich dynamics into words. The course has allowed me to dive deep enough to meet myself in its emerging fullness. I want to be embodying the practices no matter the context. They are all learning fields for becoming the space I need to be for my clients.”
Keith Guyll
USA
"Leon, I am thankful that you are such a great guide/guy and your openness is a true inspiration. What I found inspiring about DCI was the strength in vulnerability…and participants from around the world who focused their energy and created a palpable connection and space. Ego was less significant and the need for the “right” words fell away. Thank you!”
Julianne McKnight
Australia
"It is possible to enter a room full of strangers and immediately feel part of a community. It is fair to say that not only did I not expect that, I had never imagined it possible. The DCI was not just an investment in my coaching journey – it was an investment in me. My learnings and their adoption are not restricted to my coaching – they have infiltrated all parts of my life. I am better equipped to support my clients, yes – but also to support myself, my family, my friends, my colleagues and those I do not know well or at all. I am a part of a larger universe – and I am learning how to better (and more responsibly) fulfil that role.”
Eva Leparakuo
Kenya
"The insights I gained on creating nurturing spaces, listening, and literally the introduction to all 9 practices will go a long way. I loved that the course was dealing with matters of the heart, as these are what then manifest physically, for what flows in the heart will flow out to the world. I also found you, Leon, to be the real deal. You seem to live out these practices and I could sense the peace within, allowing us to be at peace and to walk in love. Thank you for being you and allowing us to experience it.”
Despina Panitsidis
Greece
"I have experienced the DCI as a transformative journey, one of coming home, perceiving myself anew, home to my true nature, my deepest essence: pure, unconditional Love. Thank you Leon and fellow way-showers for this rich journey! ”
Janat Bukenova
Oman
"All the practices we learn in the DCI are incredibly invaluable, eye-opening and life changing. There is nothing far-fetched or false in this work. I bow to you in gratitude for all the lessons taught, and for all the healing and support you have been sending my way.”
Sami Maranca
Argentina
"The DCI has allowed me to purify my mind, to let go of fear and doubt, and to start creating from a place of abundance and limitless possibility. I definitely understand now that “impossible is nothing!” I now feel I deserve to show up in the world as my true SELF. I thank you Leon for your generosity, for sharing such beautiful and sacred teachings with us, and for creating a sacred place (out of this world!) to support our evolution. I love your courage, authenticity and the fact that you have heard your calling, which allows us to be experiencing magic.”
Rachael Vincent
Australia
"My greatest learnings from the program! The importance of embodiment to sustain a perspective shift. The role of the coach in creating the space for transformation. The role of the client within that space transforming themselves. The power of the 9 foundational practices to create a spacious space, the key for creating the “cocoon” to support deep transformation.”
Bonnie Duarte
Canada
"Deep coaching is unlike anything I have ever learned. It has given me the permission to coach in a way that I have always wanted to, yet just didn’t know how to access it! Now I do! This entire process has been extraordinary, the practice of going deeper within myself and giving my clients the space to go deeper within themselves has been so healing. What a blessing, what an honor!”
Rupika Bhargava
Singapore
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for creating this wonderful work to enhance my coaching abilities. I can proudly say I am a deep coach!”
Hilsue Wong
Hong Kong
"I have finally found a way of coaching that represents me and reflects the way I journey life. The DCI has given me a huge confidence boost and the clarity I needed to do the great work I am meant to do!”
Lorna Poole
Canada
"This course has been brilliant for me-I know now why I was brought here! I have gained so much insight and learning about myself and my intentions as a coach.”
Lilia Toftoul
Netherlands
"I didn’t plan to sign up for the course, moreover, I didn’t know it existed. One day my client told me about someone’s website with good coaching information in it. So I went to the site, and while reading a thought crossed my mind: why not to ask Leon VanderPol to have a coaching session with me to fulfill one of the requirements of my certification program? During that session something magical happened and just in one go, with no second thoughts I decided to apply for the DCI course. The same miracle happened during the course calls and especially in my individual session with Leon. Thank you for this experience!”
Kenetha Stanton
USA
"I began this course about ready to give up on coaching. The transactional coaching tools and models that I encountered in my coaching training did not give me the grounding I needed to do the deeply transformational work I was aiming to do, and I had become disillusioned with coaching in general in the wake of my attempts to implement that style of coaching. I leave this course having found exactly the tools, models, and practices that I had dreamed of being able to use as a coach to do the exact kind of work I desired. The practices we worked with have shown me that it is possible for coaching to be something far more profound than what I had previously encountered. Many thanks to Leon and to each of you in the class for the space you held for me.”
Mea Blauer
Canada
"I started the course with a desire to learn the practices a deep coach would need in order to be able to become a transformational coach. What I was not prepared for however, was the personal transformation that accompanied these amazing 10 weeks. I came out transformed, looking at coaching, clients and life in general in a completely different way than when I started. Being in this class with all the wonderful spirits present, has been truly a gift, a blessing, an honor and a privilege. It makes me feel hopeful for the future that there are so many light workers, willing to share their gifts and potential with the world. Thank you all for allowing me to be in your presence.”
Esther Muthoga
Kenya
"In two days within the face-to-face Deep Coaching Intensive program, I knew who I am. This program is strongly aligned to my spiritual values. I will apply the deep coaching practices whenever an opportunity arises in my human interactions, relationships, humanitarian work, and coaching practice. Repeatedly in sessions as a participant, client & coach, I re-lived what I had been blocking for so long. It is deep, it is bigger than change, it is transformational, and it is healing! At a personal level, I am ready. It is my way of life.”
Jacinta Hin
Netherlands
"The course brought me back to coaching and to myself as a coach. Now I can be the deep coach I always wanted to be. The course has given me the tools and has given me a coaching home. For years I was disengaged, uninterested even — now I am in love with coaching again!”
Trish Brooks
Canada
"Leon has created a rich learning space for coaches that want to support the spiritual awakening of their clients. This course is for coaches that want to bring a higher level of spirit/soul into the coaching space. You will learn how to hold a nurturing space where clients can touch what is emerging from their deeper selves. Being in a class of like-minded people, with such a gifted teacher, also provides a place for personal growth. Leon you have an amazing gift to share with the world. Don’t stop!”
Aleka Thorvalson
USA
"Leon Vanderpol is an exceptional instructor! His calm, intuitive, and compassionate nature creates an open space for learning concepts that are not easily defined. The course itself is full of information, and there is plenty of time to discuss and practice the deep coaching approach. I fully recommend this training to those that want to take their coaching, and their lives, to a deeper place.”
Michelle Caruso
USA
"Through deep concepts and theories, I was given a unique set of tools and resources that enable me to walk the path of transformation confidently with a client. Through ample experiential training, I developed trust in this deep coaching process because it produces magical moments time and time again. It is truly an extraordinary program and a true pleasure to work with Leon!”
Jo Caragh
Canada
"I am so grateful for the opportunity of this experience, it has truly been life-changing. Much love, light and gratitude to Leon for bringing us all together and leading us on this journey. You are an inspiration. You are the epitome of walking the walk; of grace, elegance and compassion. Thank you so much for demonstrating what IS possible.”
Andrea Winzer
Austria
"Never before have I felt so deeply what it means to live from the heart, from my true self. It is such a precious gift to create the space for each other to experience this deep heart place and I love how we have come together in this class to learn and support each other on that mission. I want to thank Leon for stepping into and embracing his own soul mission and for being such an amazing role model in this transformational work. By truly walking the talk you are giving us permission to do the same. You have created such a deeply sacred space for us to come together to grow, explore, and transform. Thank you for that.”
Pauline Mutua
Kenya
"I have learnt so much through the Deep Coaching Intensive, from the first class to the final. It has supported me to understand what life was leading me to be and do. It has helped me allow and trust the mystery and magic of life, and I am in awe at what keeps unfolding. I have been equipped to always listen out for the generative potential and let the future Self that's emerging come into the present. This has been so powerful for me and I am so grateful. Leon you are amazing and I am grateful to you for sharing your gift and skill with us, as we change the world changes.”
Rania Saleh
Egypt
"During the Deep Coaching course I learnt that self transformation is real, and it is so for all people who allow it. We all have the potential to go through a metamorphosis of self! I found that with every practice I read, I learnt something new about either a client or myself. I found the practices deeply human, and that makes them truly useful. They resonate with nature, they resonate with the natural process of transforming into our real true selves, and they help us as coaches help our clients “Beingness.”
Sara Sandgren
Sweden
"This course came very timely in my life. I´d been waiting for it, and I knew instantly when my friend spoke about transformational coaching that I needed to explore this. In a professional aspect it has been a lot of recognition and a relief to get a context and a model for what I sensed to be true. To have a structure, a map, and a way to work from the 9 practices will help me tremendously. I would go so far as to say that the practices are a way to take on life in general, which means that they are applicable in any situation that desires to support true transformation.”
Cate Baio
Canada
"Leon, it is with deepest gratitude that I thank you for your leadership and creativity. I am blessed to have come across your path as you have made an incredible impact on me, my transformation and my career. I am forever changed. A light has been turned on, and light has been shed on topics that I knew about but now understand. Light has been shed on my own path, and now I see more clearly what lessons I need to learn and who I want to become. Gosh, how I love this work! I look forward to taking these practices into my life and my coaching and see where they take me.”
Alana Smith
Canada
"There is nothing more inspiring to me than the effortless presence you brought to every interaction Leon. Every call, every discussion, I could feel the space that was being held by you truly being present and open. I felt safe, connected, and more myself than most other times in my life. Thanks to you, I have discovered that place in me, that place that was meant for this work, that place where no fear can enter, where I AM flows and I am getting better at living from that place more of the time.”
Kathryn Korman
USA
"I came to this course aware that coaching is a means through which I can help others. I researched different programs and organizations, but none of them felt right for me. When I saw the Deep Coaching Intensive, I knew I needed to take it even though it was unclear to me where it would lead. This is the way in which I am meant to work. The greatest gift I received was the space you held which allowed for my experience of Self. The depth of that experience reset my clock. I feel that I have ‘become’ and yet, it is just the beginning.”
Merel Nahuijsen
Netherlands
"The Deep Coaching Intensive has been a complete eye opener to me. To me, it showed how to serve other people better from a different level of understanding, how to use my natural energy to connect with another soul and how to send light and love into the world.”
Rita Riedel
Australia
"The natural gentle progression of the 9 transformative Deep Coaching practices has been rich and rewarding, reminding me of and opening me to the truth of who and what I really am, and all I can be – the beautiful butterfly who is always waiting to emerge from inside me.”
Špela Grohar
Slovenia
"I do feel grateful for your guidance Leon, for being a divine light – you truly are a beautiful soul. You are connecting us, the souls that are awakening, creating a tribe of light-workers that are helping the humanity to see the glories of the divine. Namaste.”
Trina Stutzman
USA
"My biggest takeaway from the Deep Coaching program is that to be a transforming agent in the world it begins with my state of being. In order to nurture a healthy state of being I desire to listen more deeply to spirit, to create nurturing spaces, and to slow down…when I slow down, my state of being improves and I am that conduit of healing that I desire to be.”
Josette Wunder
Australia
"The Deep Coaching Intensive provided me with many incredibly useful learnings and personal insights, especially in helping me to understand the process of supporting transformation within others. The magnificence of Spirit and the potential for each of us to pursue our own Truth of Knowing about who it is we truly are ...this I will take into my coaching practice. I'm so delighted, because I have been sensing for a while now the need to move my coaching into this arena. How good is it to be blessed with this new knowledge of where to begin! Perfect, me thinks.”
Sabina Fitzsimmons
Canada
"THANK YOU SO MUCH Leon for the love, light, compassion, wisdom, humour and passion that you bring into your work as a Deep Coach and teacher. This has been an amazing guide to Deep Transformational Coaching. Wow! There is so much that I learned and took away, I hardly know where to begin. I am excited and honoured to continue my coaching journey with you.”
Wangari Mwangi
Kenya
"I have so much gratitude for this course. Thank you Leon from the bottom of my heart for answering to the call to do this work. I am different now. I now know that it is okay to grope and sense in the dark cave until I find what I need; both for me and all those I interact with. Your gentle, loving presence was a great space holder for my healing. You have touched & changed many lives.”
Suneeta Lawrence
India
"The DCI program has been a blessing for me and I am really grateful that I took the decision to join. The coaching experience I had with Leon can’t be described in words. It was an awakening to a new self, and that to me was a major breakthrough.It has been a real blessing to learn, interact and share with the participants of the program. Thank you for this experience!”
Vanessa Holmes
United States
"The whole course was one big wow! It has been such a transforming and life changing course. It has shifted how I view numerous aspects of my life. I have increased my ability to hold space, to be present, to keep more of an open connection between myself, the universe, and the people I have sessions with.”
Lisa Cary
United States
"Thank you for all the personal care you have given us along the way. It’s rare for an organization to give so much shepherding and guidance to each one. I am so appreciative for all your time and genuine care.”
Course Guidance
Our Program Advisors are happy to connect with you to help your decision making process. Before contacting us, please first review the questions and answers below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
We utilize an online learnsite which gives you access to all of your lessons, including reading materials, downloadable PDFs, audio and video tutorials, and a range of other resources to help you get started working with clients.
Lessons are designed for your coaching growth and also for your personal growth, and therefore have both a coaching application and self application component.
Enhancing self-awareness and personal responsibility is the essence of good coaching. An important aspect of learning to be an inspiring, impactful coach is that you have done the work to increase and develop your own self-awareness, even as you support others with theirs.
In addition, to support your learning journey, you'll have four Group Training Calls and two 1-to-1 Coach Development Calls with one of our excellent coach trainers.
Although Life Coaching Essentials is primarily a self-study course (80%), there are still plenty of opportunities for support.
To kick start your journey we have the four Group Training Calls led by your course instructor. On these calls, alongside your peers, we'll explore what coaching is, how it works, how you set up a coaching session, and much more.
In addition, you'll also have access to two 1-to-1 Coach Development Calls where you'll send a pre-recorded session and receive direct feedback from your course instructor.
Having a course instructor in your corner is an excellent motivator for continuing to progress through the course, so that you complete it to your satisfaction.
Just contact us at any time for details on the calls and to set them up.
The three Group Training Calls and the two Coach Development Calls are designed to optimize your learning journey.
During the three Group Training Calls you'll, with the support of your course instructor, go deeper into what coaching is, how it works, how to set up a coaching session, and much more.
You'll experience live coaching sessions, and witness demonstrations of effective and ineffective coaching, among other activities.
In the 1-to-1 Coach Development Calls you'll send a pre-recorded coaching session to your course instructor. They will provide detailed written feedback. And then on the live call, you and your coach trainer will talk through your strengths, areas for improvement, and set up a plan to continue refining your coaching.
Absolutely! If you're going to be a coach, you need to practice coaching. This is why, as part of your course completion requirements you'll need to coach a peer for two sessions, and be coached for two sessions.
In addition, you'll be required to record two more coaching sessions and share them with your mentor coach for feedback. This ensures you have gained a foundational understanding and capability as a coach.
Yes! This course is a key component of the Deep Coaching Portfolio Program, and is part of your pathway to getting the coach training hours you need to apply for your ICF ACC coaching credential.
It's possible to start with the Deep Coaching Intensive and then later upgrade to the Portfolio Program. There is a cost savings, of course, by purchasing them bundled together in the Portfolio Program.
If you start with the Portfolio Program, and decided to downgrade to the DCI only, please first read our cancellation and refund policy. It also has information on upgrading to Deep Coaching Portfolio, should you wish to do that at some point during your Deep Coaching Intensive course of study.
No, it is not necessary to have previous coaching experience to enroll in the Deep Coaching Intensive or Portfolio Program.
However experience has shown us that DCI participants who have some background or foundational knowledge of coaching find it easier to understand and integrate the Deep Coaching coursework, and is why we recommend the Deep Coaching Portfolio Program to all those with no prior coaching experience, even if you do not plan to go for your ICF credential.
No, you don't. However, because the Life Coaching Essentials (LCE) component teaches the essentials of coaching, we recommend that you have made some headway into the course before the Deep Coaching Intensive (DCI) begins.
This is why we've scheduled the four Group Training Calls in the four weeks leading up to the Deep Coaching Intensive. This ensures you have the foundational understanding of what coaching is and how it works before you begin diving deep.
If you're able to, or if you're brand new to coaching, we recommend that you register early and begin your LCE studies as soon as possible. That way you'll have a solid understanding of coaching for the Group Training Calls and the DCI.
Having said that, because of how robust the self-study part of the course is we also want to make sure you don't feel overwhelmed. There is no requirement that you complete the self-study portion of the course prior to the start of the DCI. Take your time with that and know that we're always here to support.
As soon as you've made your first tuition payment, you can begin Life Coaching Essentials.
Yes and no.
Yes, in that part of the curriculum is about helping you get started as a coach, and providing you with an array of tools, techniques and models to coach people effectively. This is the first step in building your business – that you are actively coaching.
No, in that this course is focused on teaching the fundamentals of being a coach, not of building a coaching business, which is another set of skills and capabilities altogether.
However, the course does provide information and guidance on one of the most important skills you can learn: enrollment conversations. This is a foundational skill of building a thriving coaching practice, and it's something that this course teaches because we want you to be out in the world coaching.
We also provide an assortment of templates and worksheets – from intake forms to templates to manage the relationship – that you can use with your coaching clients. These support you to appear professional and organized, and lend legitimacy to your work.
Can't find the answer to your question?
Contact us with your questions or speak with a program advisor so we can help you decide if this coach training pathway is right for you.
© 2013 - 2026 Imaginal Light Inc.
© 2013 - 2025 Imaginal Light Inc.