Hiya everyone,
I have decided I want to be a life coach. I am on a very limited budget and want to study from home. Has anyone done the Stonebridge Life coach diploma course? I am very much considering it at the moment. Would anyone recommend it as a good basis for beginning my practice? I am also reading lots ofbooks etc. into the area.
Thank you so much for any advice. Any help whatsoever is appreciated.
RE: Stonebridge Life Coaching Diploma? - advice!
Hi Shine
I'm afraid I haven't heard of that particular course, and have to say that I would advise that you go with a course that is recognised by the ICF - International Coaching Federation... I'm afraid they are not cheap, though. I think you get what you pay for. Is that course recognised by any particular body?
Here's some advice I was given by a master coach when I was thinking about being a coach:
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The range of options is pretty wide, but theseare worth checking out:
- The Coaching Academy [link= http://www.the-coaching-academy.com/ ]http://www.the-coaching-academy.com/[/link]is one of the highest profile training organisations in the UK, though I can't recommend them from personal experience or personal referral, only reputation.
- The Oxford School of Coaching [link= http://www.oscm.co.uk/index_standard.html ]http://www.oscm.co.uk/index_standard.html[/link]is one I've had recommended to me. Its approach is a bit more academic than most.
- ITS's NLP Coaching program [link= http://www.itsnlp.com/ecp.htm ]http://www.itsnlp.com/ecp.htm[/link]uses trainers that I can recommend (mostly) from personal experience, but officially requires NLP Master Practioner certification to attend (though you might get away with less)
The Coaching Academy, ITS and NLPCA trainings are all ICF-accredited, the ICF being the best-recognised of the accrediting bodies for life coaching.
Of all of these, if you want something that's practical, doesn't require you to go through NLP Practitioner and Master Practitioner training, and runs in the UK, then the one to go for is the Coaching Academy (which, sadly, is the one I have no personal knowledge of - only reputation!)
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Sorry if that's all not much help in finding you an affordable course...
RE: Stonebridge Life Coaching Diploma? - advice!
Hi Shine,
I'm doing the Newcastle College Life Coaching Diploma at the moment. It comes in two parts (levels 2 and 3) and costs around £400 each, but it is run by a college of further education (rather than a company) so if you are on any tax credits or income benefit then you can get the entire fee waived.
It's distance learning with tutors on hand to provide telephone and email support, and is designed to be completed in 6 months per level. There is a lot of writing involved as the only way they can assess if you've achieved the learning outcomes is by written assignment. Also being distance learning, I find sometimes I have to make a point of motivating myself, rather than go to a seminar or workshop and 'be inspired' if you know what I mean?
Having said that, I am finding it to be quite a comprehensive course for setting your foundations and knowledge, and gets you exploring yourself and thinking in the right mindset. It isn't accredited by the ICF but I have had it recommended as a first course by a few professional life coaches. As an organisation they seem to be focussed on helping you learn and develop as much as you want to, rather than trying to sell you the next course up.
If you're interested there's more information on
Hope that helps and good luck with finding the right course for you.