Top 4 Emotional Eating Coach Certification Programs

Last updated on July 30, 2024

Emotions have a deep impact on eating habits. According to the American Psychology Association, 27% of adults use eating as a way to handle stress, and among those who overeat or consume unhealthy foods due to stress, about 34% say that this is a behavioral habit. As with any deeply rooted habit, breaking away from this unhealthy behavior can be tough. That’s why many people seek coaches to assist them in handling their emotional eating.

Do you wish to specialize in emotional eating coaching and be the one who guides people toward a healthier and happier life? Join us as we delve into the best emotional eating coach certification programs that will solidify your expertise and credibility in this coaching field.

• Institute of Integrative Nutrition – Best Overall
• The Institute for the Psychology of Eating – Best for Comprehensive Learning 
• Connected Health Training – Best for Professional Development
• Transformation Academy – Best Budget Option

What Is an Emotional Eating Coach?

An emotional eating coach is a life coaching professional who helps clients overcome the habit of using food to cope with emotions. Through guidance and strategies, they inform and support clients in managing emotional triggers, developing healthier eating habits, and fostering a positive relationship with food and emotions.

Emotional eating coaches work with clients to accomplish goals such as:

• Recognizing emotional triggers that lead to overeating or unhealthy eating habits
• Managing and coping with emotions without resorting to food as a comfort
• Practicing mindful eating, promoting awareness of hunger and fullness cues, and enjoying food without emotional attachment
• Developing alternative coping mechanisms for managing stress, anxiety, and other emotions
• Building a positive self-image and fostering self-compassion, reducing the need to use food as an emotional crutch

How To Become an Emotional Eating Coach

To become an emotional eating coach, you need to be skillful in applying the right questioning, guiding, motivating, and supporting techniques that will lead clients to their desired goals. While you can leverage your personal experience and individual research for this purpose, the most streamlined way to acquire proven coaching tools is by enrolling in an emotional eating coach certification program.

Even though certification isn’t required in the coaching industry, 81.3% of coaches are certified, as this enables them to reach proficiency in the field of their choice and earns them credibility among clients and fellow coaches. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Emotional Eating Coaching Certification

How can you know which emotional eating coach certification suits you best? The price of the course, duration, and accreditation can influence your decision, so let’s break this down.

Program Cost

The possibility of achieving your emotional eating coach certification online gives you more flexibility to find a course that matches your budget. The costs vary considerably, but on average, certification courses come with a price tag of a couple hundred to a couple of thousand dollars. 

Course Length

Certification courses can be intensive and short and last only a couple of days. These are generally programs that are centered around specific techniques and tools. On the other end of the spectrum, comprehensive programs that delve extensively into emotional eating coaching and potentially include the business aspect of coaching can extend up to a year. For a more laid-back learning experience without the pressure of a deadline, you can opt for self-paced courses.  

Accreditation

If you’re wondering if accreditation is essential for becoming a certified emotional eating coach, it’s good to understand that it’s not obligatory. However, accredited programs are often favored by coaches because they provide more widespread recognition. Reputable accrediting bodies like the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Standards Agency, and The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) are recognized globally. Therefore, holding an accredited certification can elevate your position in the coaching field.

Best Emotional Eating Coach Certification Programs

Top Pick: Institute of Integrative Nutrition

The Emotional Eating Course by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) has taken the top place on our list as this is a robust, accredited, and self-paced course that can be well-suited for both aspiring coaches and health coaching professionals who want to learn more about this niche.

The impressive curriculum covers the root causes and triggers of emotional eating, the complexity of cravings, self-healing tools, and coaching clients on beneficial food choices and their emotional well-being.

You’ll also be able to engage with peers and course moderators in a private Facebook group for Q&A, feedback, and support; participate in live calls to connect with mentors and fellow learners; and access recorded calls for ongoing motivation.

• Course Length: Self-paced (7 months)
• Program Cost: $995
• Accreditation: NBHWC
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Holistic Option: The Institute for the Psychology of Eating 

The Mind Body Eating Coach Certification Training takes a holistic approach to coaching and can train you to recognize the emotional, psychological, and spiritual roots of your clients’ food and body issues. 

They incorporate the latest cutting-edge approaches and provide exhaustive professional training. The program addresses prevalent eating concerns like body image, immune health, endless dieting, binge eating, and overeating, as well as emotional eating. There is also a business development training module with done-for-you marketing copy.

In addition to learning materials that you can access at any time, you’ll also engage in live classes, peer coaching, and support calls.

• Course Length: 8 months
• Program Cost: $6,950
• Accreditation: None
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Professional Development Option: Connected Health Training

Connected Health Training is focused on emotional eating and binge eating disorders. If you’re aiming to specialize in these areas, this course might be the right fit for you.

The Emotional Eating & Binge Eating Disorder online training course is the first step toward becoming licensed as a specialist in this area. The second step is joining their Eating Freely™ Practitioner Network through which you’ll gain marketing and business support. 

The criteria for getting licensed include:

• Being a fully qualified and accredited health, wellness, or nutrition coach, registered nutritional therapist, registered dietician, lifestyle medicine practitioner, or qualified health professional (psychotherapist, counselor, registered nurse, psychologist, or medical professional) 
• Membership in a recognized accrediting body
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance that covers working with clients in a one-to-one setting

The course is a 12-week program that blends self-directed learning, weekly group calls, and client case studies. It delves into nutrition assessment, gut health, binge eating, mindfulness, forgiveness, and more. 

• Course Length: 12 weeks 
• Program Cost: Available upon request
• Accreditation: CPD, NBHWC
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Budget Option: Transformation Academy

Transformation Academy doesn’t offer emotional eating coach certification, but it does have a comprehensive and well-rounded Master Wellness Coach program that will equip you with versatile tools that can be applied in emotional eating coaching. Since the price is budget-friendly, this is our top pick if you seek an inexpensive training course. 

Upon completing the Master Wellness Coach Certification program, you will receive four distinct certifications:

• Health & Nutrition Life Coach
• Diet Life Coach
• Mindfulness Life Coach
• Your choice between Ketogenic & Ketosis Coach, Yoga Life Coach, or BellyCore Fitness Trainer

Besides diving into each of these fields of health coaching, you will also receive done-for-you questionnaires, worksheets, and coaching packages. 

• Course Length: Self-paced 
• Program Cost: $497
• Accreditation: CPD
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Special Offer: Get 50% off all certification programs at Transformation Academy by clicking our link or entering code LIFECOACHMAG at checkout.

Alternatives (non-niche)

Niche training will help you reach a specialty in your desired area, but general life coach training courses are also beneficial as they will equip you with much-needed coaching skills. This can help you establish stronger relationships with clients, diversify your skillset, and adopt new coaching strategies. 

If you’re interested in pursuing a life coach certification, be sure to check out our list of the best life coaching certification programs, which includes our top pick Coach Training Alliance. We have reviewed CTA in great detail if you wish to know why this program is our top recommendation. 

FAQs

• How much does an emotional eating coach make?

INN reports that on average, a health coach’s salary ranges between $50,000 and $80,000 per year.

• Do you need a certification to be an emotional eating coach?

You don’t need a certification, but considering the emotional and psychological complexities of emotional eating, the training you receive through the certification program can boost your confidence and instill trust in your clients. 

• How much does an emotional eating certification cost?

The cost varies from less than $500 to over $6,000.

• Does accreditation matter in an emotional eating coach certification program?

Accreditation can benefit your certification’s recognition, but keep in mind that there are reputable programs that aren’t accredited because their unique curriculum doesn’t follow the specific rules of accrediting bodies.

• What is the most recognized coaching certification? 

Certification programs are numerous, so it’s difficult to pinpoint a single most recognized coaching certification, as not everyone is familiar with every option. A better choice for gaining broad recognition is obtaining accredited certification from well-regarded organizations like ICF and CPD.

Conclusion

Emotional eating is a widespread coping mechanism, which highlights the potential for a promising career as an emotional eating coach. Besides the satisfaction of assisting others, this profession can lead to financial freedom and the joy of pursuing your passion. 

To take the first step toward becoming a recognized emotional eating coach, consider niche training options like IIN or Transformation Academy that can give you the credibility and knowledge necessary for success. For a solid foundation in life coaching or to expand your coaching capabilities, you can also enroll in life coach training courses like Coach Training Alliance.

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