I began training as an Individual Coach in 2008. Because the Coaches Training Institute/Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) program requires coaching students to practice with clients immediately, I started coaching my first client that same year. (BTW, she remained a client for close to a decade.) I obtained my Coaching Certification from the CTI (now called Co-Active Training Institute) in 2009. That same year, I applied for my Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the International Coaching Federation and also began training in Organization & Relationship Systems Coaching at the Center for Right Relationship. A few years ago, I upgraded my credential to Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and renew my PCC credential every three years.

Unlike most healthcare and mental health professionals (e.g., physicians and therapists), coaching is an unlicensed profession. That means that, theoretically, pretty much anyone can call themselves a “coach,” and offer coaching services regardless of training, certification, or credential status. When someone indicates they are a Certified Coach, that usually means they completed a coaching certification program. Unfortunately, such programs range from online courses that last a few hours (or less) to months-long or years-long programs with many hours of instruction, a peer-based coaching practicum, professional coaching supervision by an instructor who listens to, evaluates, and provides feedback on recorded coaching sessions with clients, as well as written and oral exams. A credential is a designation provided by one of the following entities: The Center for Education and Credentialing, The European Mentoring and Coaching Council, and The International Coaching Federation (ICF). Requirements for an ICF Credential, including the PCC, include completion of a rigorously reviewed Accredited Coach Training Program—such as those offered by the Coaches Training Institute/Co-Active Training Institute and Center for Right Relationship—passing a written credentialing exam, and coaching clients for hundreds of hours. To maintain an ICF Credential, you must complete a designated number of ICF-approved continuing education hours, including a course on ICF Code of Ethics. An ICF Credential is eligible for renewal every three years.

There are commonalities among how coaches, therapists and counselors work with clients, especially relationship clients. That is, there is overlap among couples therapy, marriage counseling and relationship coaching, though the type, scope and required trainings in these fields are usually far more in-depth, lengthy and conventionally mental-health focused for therapists and counselors than coaches. Plus, therapy is a licensed field, whereas coaching is currently unlicensed. A very important difference between a coach and a therapist is that therapists are trained to assist clients with mental health challenges such as addiction, trauma, mental illness (e.g., clinical depression, Bipolar Disorder), suicidal ideation and self-harm, whereas coaches are not trained to assist in these areas. Exceptions include practitioners that train as a therapist and coach, as well as coaches who seek supplemental training(s) in mental health modalities. Please note: While therapists receive at least preliminary training in working with family systems (like couples), most coach-training is individually-focused and does not include substantive relationship or group-work. And both therapists and coaches benefit from specialized training in working with couples and larger relationship systems (groupings of two or more people), including professional relationships such as teams and business partners. Currently, two therapy programs are implicitly research-based; meaning, studies confirm their efficacy, their ability to assist most couples: The Gottman Method and Emotionally-Focused Therapy. Two other couples therapy trainings of note are PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy), which is informed by research in attachment theory and neuroscience, and The Couple’s Institute’s Developmental Model, which like life coaching is strengths-based and skills- and resilience-focused, and applies research from childhood development to adult relationships. For coaches,  The Center for Right Relationship offers a credentialed relationship coaching program, and both The Gottman Method and The Couples Institute’s trainings are open to coaches. While not a comprehensive response to this question, this post offers more information.

I have an eclectic professional background: I am a recovering academic—I taught at the University of California, Irvine for nine years; the last three were as an Associate Professor and Department Chair—I held senior executive positions at online portals in Strategic Marketing, Customer Care, Client Service, and Community Development, and had my own online marketing consultancy for a few years. I also tried my hand at screenwriting: Many years ago, I co-wrote an episode of a network TV show and had a couple of scripts place in the finals of screenplay competitions. Writing remains a passion.

Years ago, when I was undergoing fertility treatments, I felt as if I’d boarded a train that I couldn’t (or wouldn’t) get off of until I reached the final destination: giving birth to a baby. I was so focused on that destination that I rarely bothered to look out the window; meaning, I rarely looked up from treatments, from worry, from the grief of failed efforts to notice other aspects of my life, to care for my wellbeing gently or compassionately, and to tend lovingly to my relationship with my partner. Despite her incredible support throughout that time, I felt lonely and isolated, even though I wasn’t alone on the ride. I don’t regret my fertility journey, though I wish I’d known how to better care for myself and my relationship while I was on it. That desire to better navigate infertility—the physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and relationship stresses—inspired me to become a coach. That said, my professional passions before then—e.g., I taught undergrad and graduate students, and managed teams of direct and indirect reports at online community portals—align with what I enjoy most about coaching: Helping people enhance their strengths, grow their skillsets, and increase their fulfillment.

Sessions with individuals are 55 minutes, and most Relationship Coaching sessions are 85-minutes in length. I indicated “most” because on those occasions when I’ve coached a relationship system consisting of more than two people, sometimes two-hour sessions prove beneficial to ensure that all participants have time to express themselves, and there’s adequate time to practice tools and review concepts in-session.

I do not offer in-person coaching services, though some of my workshops are in-person. I coach individuals by phone or Zoom and coach relationships solely via Zoom, e.g., couples, business partners.

The following confidentiality stipulations appear in my Coaching Agreements with clients: Rhona Berens, Inc. and its representatives hold a Client’s personal information confidential. By signing below, a Client understands and agrees to the following exceptions to that Confidentiality Policy: (1) Client discloses intent to endanger themselves or others, or for any other Client-related matter that Rhona Berens, Inc. deems an emergency; (2) Client’s name, contact info and total hours coached may be provided to the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for credentialing purposes only.* (3) Client’s name, email &/or phone number may be used by Rhona Berens, Inc.’s associates, including a third-party scheduling app/software, to schedule Coaching sessions; (4) a Client or a Client’s friends, relatives &/or associates directly or indirectly harass or threaten Rhona Berens, Inc., or its representatives, and/or its representatives’ family; (5) Client provides Rhona Berens, Inc. with written permission to speak to other professionals, e.g., a Client’s therapist; and (6) a Client is under investigation or under arrest by authorities, at any time during or subsequent to Coaching with Rhona Berens, Inc., including but not limited to investigatory, arrest, or censure efforts by law enforcement, government or other legal/judicial agencies. Please see the Privacy Policy for Rhona Berens, Inc. for more information. 

Unfortunately, life coaching services are not covered by health insurance.

Unfortunately, life coaching does not qualify as an HSA expense.

If you questions not addressed in these FAQs, please email rhona@rhonaberens.com for more information.