RIHEL Coaching Academy
Coaching Academy
Develop the coaching skills that strengthen leadership, deepen impact, and—if desired—prepare you for professional coaching certification.
A flexible, four-course learning experience grounded in ethical practice, real-world application, and thoughtful progression.
Courses are limited to 18 participants to support personalized instruction and meaningful practice.
ICF Level 1 Accredited Coaching Education Program
Aligned with the ethical standards and Core Competencies of the International Coaching Federation.
Take one course at a time—or enroll in a full pathway.
Either way, you can choose the schedule that works best for you.
Coaching Academy at a Glance
A flexible, ICF-accredited pathway for developing strong, ethical, and effective coaching capability.
- 4 sequential courses, taken one at a time
- Small cohorts (max 18 participants) for individualized guidance, practice, and feedback
- Designed for leaders, professionals, and aspiring coaches
- Open to leaders from all fields — no health or environment background required
- ICF Level 1 accredited coaching education program, aligned with the Core Competencies and ethical standards of the International Coaching Federation
- Certification is optional and supported—not required
- Progress at your own pace with clear decision points along the way
What you’ll gain
- Core coaching mindset and skills
- Applied coaching practice and confidence
- Ability to work skillfully with emotion, complexity, and change
- A supported pathway to professional certification (if desired)
What is the Coaching Academy?
The Coaching Academy is intentionally designed to support leaders and aspiring coaches in building coaching capability over time.
Across four sequential courses, participants develop not only coaching skills, but a coaching way of being that supports growth, learning, and ethical leadership.
Courses are taken in sequence, and participants may enroll one course at a time, progressing as goals and interests become clearer — or enroll in a full pathway from the start. Whichever option best suits you.
How the Courses Work Together
Course 1: Coaching Foundations for Leaders
Build the mindset, skills, and ethical foundation of coaching.
Course 2: Coaching in Practice
Strengthen presence, insight, and the ability to support growth in others.
Course 3: Coaching with Emotional Intelligence and Somatic Awareness
Develop the capacity to work skillfully with emotion, complexity, and barriers to change.
Course 4: Coach Certification Preparation (Optional)
Structured in two stages:
- Course 4.1: Professional Foundations for Certification-Aligned Coaching
- Course 4.2: Certification Readiness and Demonstration
Each course builds on the learning and practice of the previous one, supporting thoughtful progression and increasing depth over time.
All courses are intentionally designed for interaction and practice, with cohorts limited to 18 participants to support individualized guidance and feedback.
Course Details
Courses are taken in sequence. You may enroll one course at a time—or enroll in a full pathway.
Cohort Size for all Courses: Max 18 participants
In Person Course Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day
In Person Course Location: Colorado Medical Society, 7351 E. Lowry Blvd. #10, Denver, CO
Virtual Courses: Zoom videoconference (hours TBA)
Course 1
Coaching Foundations for Leaders
Mindset, Skills, and Ethics
Build the foundation for effective coaching-informed leadership. Develop trust-building skills, deepen listening, ask powerful questions, and learn simple frameworks for coaching conversations grounded in ethical practice.
Format: 2-day, in-person
Dates: See below; additional summer and fall dates to be released each quarter
Investment: $1,500
Course 2
Coaching in Practice
Presence, Insight, and Growth
Strengthen your coaching presence and apply core competencies with confidence. Practice setting focus, evoking awareness, supporting forward movement, and closing coaching conversations with clarity and accountability.
Format: 2-day, in-person
Prerequisite: Course 1
Investment: $1,500
Course 3
Coaching with Emotional Intelligence & Somatic Awareness
Emotion, the Body, and Barriers to Change
Deepen your ability to coach through complexity, emotion, and stuck patterns. Build emotional intelligence, strengthen self-regulation, and integrate somatic awareness to support insight and sustainable change.
Format: 2-day, in-person
Prerequisite: Course 1–2
Investment: $1,500
Certification Pathway Courses:
Course 4.1
Professional Foundations for Certification-Aligned Coaches
Certification Exploration
Begin practicing in alignment with professional coaching standards—without committing to full certification preparation. Learn ethical responsibilities, coaching agreements, and how to communicate about coaching professionally.
Format: 2 half-day virtual sessions
Prerequisite: Course 1
Investment: $500
Dates and Registration Coming Soon!
Course 4.2
Certification Readiness & Demonstration
Certification Preparation
For participants pursuing professional certification. Deepen ethical practice, strengthen coaching management, and demonstrate competence through mentor coaching and performance evaluation aligned with ICF standards.
Format: Multi-component program
Prerequisites: Courses 1–3 + Course 4.1
Investment: $3,000
Choosing Your Path Through the Coaching Academy
You do not need to decide everything upfront. The Coaching Academy is designed to support thoughtful progression, allowing you to build skills, confidence, and clarity over time.
You may choose the enrollment option that best fits your goals and readiness:
- Enroll one course at a time, deciding on next steps as your experience, confidence, and interests evolve
- Enroll in a full pathway if you already know the direction you’d like to pursue
All courses are taken in sequence. Guidance and support are available throughout the Academy to help you make intentional choices.
Coach Development Pathway
Courses 1–3
Who this is for:
Leaders and professionals who want deep, practical coach training to strengthen leadership effectiveness, communication, and the development of others—without pursuing professional coaching certification.
Session Dates: See individual course dates above
Investment: $4,050
Certification Exploration Pathway
Courses 1–3 + Course 4.1
Who this is for:
Participants who are considering professional coaching certification and want to begin practicing with certification-aligned ethics, agreements, and standards before committing to the full certification preparation process.
Session Dates: See individual course dates above
Investment: $4,250
Certification Preparation Pathway
Courses 1–3 + Course 4.1 + Course 4.2
Who this is for:
Participants who have decided to pursue professional coaching certification and are ready for advanced ethical practice, mentor coaching, and demonstration of coaching competence aligned with ICF standards.
Session Dates: See individual course dates above
Investment: $6,925
Our coaching philosophy and ICF-accredited curriculum work together to support ethical, reflective, and impactful coaching practice.
Is Coaching Certification Right for You?
Professional coaching certification is optional and never required to benefit from the Coaching Academy.
For those who choose to pursue it, the Coaching Academy provides a structured, ethical, and supportive pathway aligned with the standards of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and prepares participants for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential.
You may explore certification, prepare for it, or decide it’s not the right path—without pressure or upfront commitment.
The Coaching Academy supports this graduated approach through:
- Courses 1–3 are designed as a complete foundation in coaching capability that supports leadership and professional effectiveness whether or not certification is pursued.
- Course 4.1 is an exploration step for participants considering certification and wanting to practice with certification-aligned ethics and standards.
- Course 4.2 supports participants who decide to pursue certification through mentor coaching, advanced ethical practice, and performance evaluation aligned with ICF standards.
Certification FAQs
No. Certification is optional and you do not need to decide upfront. You can begin with Course 1 and progress step-by-step through Courses 1–3. If you decide to pursue certification, you can continue into the certification-aligned courses when you’re ready.
No. Certification is never required. Many leaders and professionals complete Courses 1–3 to strengthen leadership effectiveness, communication, and coaching capability without pursuing professional certification.
For participants who choose to pursue certification, the Coaching Academy prepares them for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential by aligning learning, practice, mentor coaching, and performance evaluation with ICF standards.
Yes. Courses 1–3 are a complete coach development pathway, and certification is optional. Participants may choose not to continue beyond Course 3. If you registered for a certification pathway package, your enrollment is subject to the pathway pricing and refund terms outlined in the Academy policies.
Tuition and Pricing Options
Coaching Academy courses are priced per participant and may be taken one course at a time:
- Courses 1-3: $1,500 each
- Course 4.1: $500
- Course 4.2: $3,000
For participants who already know the pathway they’d like to pursue, full-pathway enrollment is available at discounted pricing:
- Coach Development Pathway (Courses 1–3): $4,050
- Certification Exploration Pathway (Courses 1–3 + Course 4.1): $4,250
- Certification Preparation Pathway (Courses 1–3 + Course 4.1 + Course 4.2): $6,925
Cohorts are limited to 18 participants to ensure individualized guidance and a high-quality learning experience.
Courses are taken in sequence, and participants may choose their pace.
Tuition includes:
- all program instruction
- snacks and lunch at all in-person sessions
- handouts and course materials*
- online learning management and learning community platform
*Other optional but recommended materials include two books, which participants may acquiring themselves:
- Coach the Person Not the Problem: A guide to using reflective inquiry by Marcia Reynolds. Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. (2020).
- Coaching Questions: A Coach’s Guide to Powerful Asking Skills by Tony Stoltzfus. Publisher: Coach22 Bookstore LLC (2008).
(NOTE: Pricing is subject to change in the future.)
Payment
The tuition must be paid upon registration. Arrangements may be made for an individual payment schedule upon request. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to inquire about an individual payment schedule. RIHEL accepts payment by check, ACH, or credit card. All payments will be in U.S. dollars.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Coaching Academy Course registration cancellations must be made a minimum of 15 business days prior to the first date of the course. Written notice of cancellation shall be effective on the date the withdrawal is received by RIHEL. Refunds will be made within 45 days following receipt of cancellation or withdrawal requests.
Modifications to registration, including substitutions of participants or transfer of course dates, must be completed at least 10 business days before the first date of the course. Course changes will be allowed as long as there are spots available.
Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to request a refund, cancellation, or modifications to your registration.
Scholarships
There are currently no scholarship funds available.
Enrollment & Participation Requirements
Enrollment in the Coaching Academy requires agreement to Academy policies, ethical standards, and participation expectations.
Courses must be taken in sequence, as each course builds on the learning and practice of the previous one.
Participants must have access to the hardware and software to participate in distance learning. The program cannot assume any costs for the computer and communication systems used by participants.
Upon registration, all participants must consent and commit to the RIHEL Coaching Academy Policies and Agreements.
If you have any questions about these requirements, please use the contact form at the bottom of this page to reach out to the Coaching Academy Director.
Our Coaching Philosophy
At the Regional Institute for Health & Environmental Leadership (RIHEL), we believe that coaching is the art of being a strategic thinking partner. It is both a communication skill and a powerful development tool for oneself and for others.
At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that individuals are creative, resourceful, and whole. They do not need fixing. More often than not, people already carry within them the answers to the challenges they face.
A skilled coach helps individuals evoke insight, expand awareness, and recognize possibilities, working alongside them to set goals and craft meaningful action plans. Coaching is a collaborative effort that expands a person’s capacity to take effective action.
Coaching is grounded in dialogue. It is an ongoing partnership—a sustained alliance between a coach and a person being coached—to enhance learning, growth, and effectiveness. It is a one-to-one relationship focused on developing the individual and supporting them in reaching their highest levels of competence and ability.
Coaching is about unlocking potential to reach new levels of performance. It is about helping people learn, rather than teaching them.
Coaches do not develop people for them. Instead, they guide individuals to develop themselves. Coaches serve as catalysts for development. They are respectful yet truthful listeners and unbiased accountability partners. A central role of the coach is to ask thoughtful, powerful questions that elicit new awareness, wisdom, and strategy.
The Coaching Academy is an ICF Level 1 accredited coaching education program, aligned with the Core Competencies and ethical standards of the International Coaching Federation.
ICF Level 1 accreditation indicates that a coaching education program has been reviewed and approved by the ICF to meet established standards for coach education, ethics, and competency development.
ICF Level 1 accreditation confirms that the Coaching Academy:
- Aligns curriculum with ICF Core Competencies
- Integrates ethical standards throughout the learning experience
- Includes observed coaching practice and feedback
- Supports readiness for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential
Participation in an ICF Level 1 program does not automatically result in certification. Certification is awarded by the ICF and requires additional components beyond coursework.
Within the Coaching Academy, alignment with ICF standards is reflected through:
- Emphasis on ethical practice and the ICF Code of Ethics
- Development and application of the ICF Core Competencies across all courses
- Observed coaching practice with structured feedback
- Mentor coaching and performance evaluation within the certification preparation pathway.
The Coaching Academy is designed to support multiple goals.
Many participants complete Courses 1–3 to strengthen leadership effectiveness and coaching capability without pursuing certification.
Participants who are interested in certification are supported through a graduated pathway that allows for exploration, preparation, and intentional decision-making over time.
Additional Certification FAQs
Below are answers to common questions for participants exploring professional credentialing.
Does completing the Coaching Academy automatically grant ICF certification?
No. Certification is awarded by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and requires additional components beyond coursework. The Coaching Academy provides ICF-accredited education and structured support aligned with ACC requirements for participants who choose to pursue certification.
Upon successful completion of the full Coaching Academy curriculum, participants will have satisfied the coaching education hours, mentor coaching hours, and performance evaluation criteria required by ICF for the Associate Coach Credential (ACC). To receive ICF ACC certification, the coach must also complete 100 hours of coaching experience (coaching clients) and complete the ACC Exam. Visit the ICF website for full credentialing details.
How does Mentor Coaching work?
Mentor Coaching supports participants in strengthening and demonstrating coaching competence aligned with the ICF Core Competencies. It includes 10 total hours, typically completed over a three month period: 7 hours of small-group mentor coaching and 3 hours of one-to-one mentor coaching.
What does the Performance Evaluation involve?
The Performance Evaluation ensures participants can demonstrate coaching competence aligned with ICF standards at the ACC level. Participants submit a recorded coaching session and transcript for assessment by a Coaching Academy assessor. Detailed submission guidance is provided during Course 4.2.
How do Course 4.1 and Course 4.2 relate to ACC requirements?
Course 4.1 is the entry point into certification-aligned professional practice and is a prerequisite for Course 4.2. Course 4.2 supports participants pursuing certification through advanced ethical practice, mentor coaching, and performance evaluation aligned with ACC-level competence.
Who grants the coaching credential—RIHEL or the ICF?
Professional coaching credentials are granted by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), not RIHEL. The Coaching Academy provides ICF-accredited education and certification-aligned preparation, and participants who pursue certification apply directly to ICF.
Participants who complete the full Coaching Academy curriculum will receive a certificate from RIHEL indicating that they have completed an ICF Level 1 Coaching Education Program. Participants can then submit this Level 1 certificate to ICF when applying for ACC certification. Details about the ICF certification process are provided during Course 4.2.
FREE Information Sessions
These virtual information sessions include an overview of the Coaching Academy course offerings and pathway options, plus time for Q&A. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a deeper level of understanding about what the program entails, or for those who are curious about the program but uncertain if it’s the right fit for them. Sign up for a FREE Information Session:
Other questions?
Our Program Director, Leanne Jeffers, would be more than happy to assist you. Please use the form at the bottom of this page to send your questions and/or request time to meet.
Coaching Academy Faculty & Staff
Leanne Jeffers, MPH, PCC
Program Director, Core Faculty, Mentor Coach
Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership
Jordan White, PCC
Core Faculty
Self-Leadership Coach, Jordan White Coaching
Sarah Roberts, MHA, PCC
Mentor Coach
CEO, Clarity Matters Consulting LLC
Beth Roome, MA, ACC
Guest Faculty
Founder, Switchback Institute and Executive Director of the Switchback Foundation
Franco Marini, MA, CNL
Guest Faculty
President, The NeuroTransology Institute
Curt Drennen, PsyD
Guest Faculty
Disaster Behavioral Health and Community Recovery Branch Chief, CDPHE Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
Questions Regarding the Coaching Academy or registration process?
Please contact Leanne Jeffers, Program Director,
through the form below.