The Vancouver Life Coaching Community

Coaches are are scattered across the Lowerreputation (some are just newer than others) all have
Mainland from West Vancouver to Chilliwack. Britishproven to be quite popular amongst coaches starting
Columbia's West Coast is a hot-bed for life andout. Here is a quick overview of the programs
business coaching and although the community is quiteavailable at Coaches Training Institute, Erickson College
diverse in geography there are organizations like theand Royal Roads University.
Vancouver ICF that help bring the community together.Coaches Training Institute (CTI)
Lets dive into an overview of the local community andIts no wonder that CTI is a very popular training option
how you can get involved!amongst prospective Vancouver coaches. Doubling as
Vancouver Chapter of the International Coachingthe world's largest coaching school, CTI is a
Federationpower-house in the industry and its no different in
The Vancouver branch of the International CoachingVancouver. Every year, CTI runs at least two
Federation (ICF) encourages both members andprograms to train local coaches in its Co-Active coach
non-members to attend monthly meetings where theytraining module. The sessions are usually held at a
discuss wide-ranging issues related to life coaching.Downtown Hotel. For all the details, contact CTI direct
These meetings are both networking and speakingat 1-800-691-6008.
events about coaching topics including executiveErickson College
coaching, business coaching and leadership coaching.With a campus near Downtown Vancouver, Erickson
Meetings are scheduled monthly from September tois the most notable training facility in the city. Classes
June. ICF Vancouver also hosts socials, workshopsare also offered online to people not able to make it to
and promotes coaching success through the Prismthe actual campus. The focus with Erickson is on
Awards and Coaching Awareness Week.leadership training and they have received high praise
The ICF of Vancouver has over 200 active membersin this regard. To find out more about Erickson call
in such specialties as life coaching, executive coaching,1-800-665-6949.
business coaching and career coaching. Trained andRoyal Roads University
certified coaches may specialize in one niche, howeverAlthough Royal Roads is located near Victoria BC, on
you will find that a professional coach can help yourVancouver Island, it has proven to be another decent
with most of your personal and professional goalsoption of Lower Mainland individuals looking to
regardless of their specialization. All ICF Vancouversuccessfully complete their life coach training. At Royal
coaches have diverse training and backgrounds andRoads, the focus is on executive training and most
professional designations.people who take this program have at least several
So how can you get involved?years of real-world business experience. Its a good
Getting involved with the Vancouver ICF is actuallyoption if you are looking to complete a more formal
pretty straightforward. Just call them up! Although youtraining program by an accredited university. For all the
will probably have a better response if you are an ICFinformation please contact Royal Roads at
certified coach (more on that in a moment) anyone1-800-788-8028.
can go to the monthly meetings, suggest topics ofVancouver: An Active Coaching Community
discussion and help guide the direction of the chapter.As you have probably noted, with many training
Chapter officials are elected annually by theoptions, successful coaches and an active ICF branch
membership. Currently the Vancouver chapter hasVancouver is a hotbed of life coaching. There are also
over 200 members. Do any of those members standmany opportunities for newcomers and established
out from the others?community veterans to increase their involvement in
Top Vancouver Coachesthe community. It is up to you, the coach, to get as
Two local coaches stand out for being amongst theinvolved as you choose!
cream of the crop. First, 2007 Coach of the yearWith a campus near Downtown Vancouver, Erickson
Steve Mitten. Steve is a force in the local coachingis the most notable training facility in the city. Classes
community having served as the ICF President in 2005are also offered online to people not able to make it to
and is always at the top of people's minds when itthe actual campus. The focus with Erickson is on
comes to top coaches in the area. His background is inleadership training and they have received high praise
entrepreneurship have brought two separatein this regard. To find out more about Erickson call
companies to the IPO stage and as such is widely1-800-665-6949.
regarded as a top business coach in addition to hisRoyal Roads University
established skill set as a life coach. Steve hasAlthough Royal Roads is located near Victoria BC, on
achieved the highest possible level of ICF coachingVancouver Island, it has proven to be another decent
certification and is a Master Certified Business and Lifeoption of Lower Mainland individuals looking to
Coach.successfully complete their life coach training. At Royal
One of his top counter parts in Vancouver is theRoads, the focus is on executive training and most
widely regarded Julia James. Julia was a nominee forpeople who take this program have at least several
the 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year Award and inyears of real-world business experience. Its a good
2008 was awarded the BNI Master Networkedoption if you are looking to complete a more formal
Award. In addition, Julia has the rare credentials oftraining program by an accredited university. For all the
being both an ICF certified coach in addition to herinformation please contact Royal Roads at
Coaches Training Institute (CTI) certification. Still not1-800-788-8028.
enough for you? Julia and her coaching team conductVancouver: An Active Coaching Community
coaching in English, German, French and Spanish!As you have probably noted, with many training
Vancouver Coaching Schoolsoptions, successful coaches and an active ICF branch
Now that you know a little more about Steve and JuliaVancouver is a hotbed of life coaching. There are also
perhaps its time to head out there and get the trainingmany opportunities for newcomers and established
to join them in the local coaching ranks! There arecommunity veterans to increase their involvement in
several options in the Lower Mainland Area andthe community. It is up to you, the coach, to get as
although not all of these schools have the sameinvolved as you choose!