Best Relationship Coach Certification Programs

Last updated on July 29, 2024

Healthy relationships demand a lot of work, and more often than not, people need some guidance to optimize their relationship potential. This explains why relationship coaching is a promising profession.

If you’re passionate about helping people improve their relationships with others, you can turn that passion into a profitable business with the help of relationship coach certification programs.

In this post, we’ve picked the best relationship coach certification programs and reviewed the available training opportunities.

• Relationship Coaching Institute – Best Overall
• Coach Training Alliance – Best for Couples Coaching Specialization
• Fisher Relationship Coach Academy (FRCA) – Best for Interactive Live Learning
• Center for Thriving Relationships – Best for Having the Opportunity to Observe Real Relationship Coaching Sessions
• Transformation Academy – Best for Facilitating Workshops
• Academy of Creative Coaching – Best for Interpersonal Relationships
• Erickson International – Best for Professional Development Coaching
• The Relationship School –  Best for Comprehensive Learning
• IAP Career College – Best Budget Option

What Is a Relationship Coach?

Relationship coaches provide support and guidance in building better relationships. This type of life coaching is not limited to romantic relationships, as it can help with any form of interpersonal relationship, including parent to child, manager to employee, friend to friend, etc.

Is a relationship coach the same as a therapist? There is a big difference between these two professions since a relationship coach focuses on attaining relationship goals while a therapist focuses on overall mental health, which can also include relationships. 

For someone to be a licensed therapist, they need to have a relevant degree; coaches, however, aren’t required to. Another difference is that relationship coaches aren’t covered by insurance, while therapists typically are (depending on the insurance provider and plan). 

How Do I Start a Relationship Coaching Business?

Do you need to be a certified relationship coach to start a business? Certification isn’t a prerequisite, nor do you need a degree to start a relationship coaching business. 

However, it is difficult to inspire trust in clients solely based on your word. This is where the certification program’s value is seen. A certification will provide you with some leverage, and you’ll have valid proof of your coaching skills and capabilities. Therefore, enrolling in a relationship coach certification program is a good starting point for establishing your coaching business.

Not only will you learn more about relationship coaching, but you’ll also get insight into how to build a relationship with your clients. After that, it’s all about good marketing and word-of-mouth recommendations. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Relationship Coaching Certification

Before you decide on a program that will lead you to your relationship coach certificate, you should first consider these factors. 

Program Cost

Relationship coach certification programs can have head-spinning fees, but luckily, there is a wide variety of courses for everyone’s budget. Many inexpensive programs offer high-quality training, so it’s helpful if you decide in advance how much you’re willing to spend and adjust your search accordingly.

Course Length

Have you thought about when you’d like to start your coaching business? Some programs can be time-consuming, so if you’re on a schedule, you might want to choose a shorter course. A self-paced program is also an excellent choice for those who need more learning freedom.

Accreditation

Do you need to choose an accredited relationship coach training program? Life coaching is a relatively new field, so choosing an accredited coaching program can assure you that you’ll receive the best training programs possible. One of the most well-established accrediting bodies for coaches is the International Coaching Federation (ICF). 

Best Relationship Coach Certification Programs

Without further ado, here are the best relationship coach certification programs on the market.

Top Pick: Relationship Coaching Institute

The world’s biggest relationship coaching organization, the Relationship Coaching Institute, offers a three-month-long course that will lead you to an ICF-accredited relationship coaching certification.

The program is composed of three modules: Foundations of Relationship Coaching, Relationship Coaching for Singles, and Relationship Coaching for Couples. This is a great direction for someone who wants to specialize in romantic relationships. 

What RCI includes in their coaching journey are weekly calls with an instructor and peers, private mentoring, and a free starter kit. 

• Course Length: Self-paced
• Program Cost: $3,997 enrollment fee + $79 per month membership fee for access to all courses + $125 application fee for certification for Certified Relationship Coach for Couples (CRCC) or Certified Relationship Coach for Singles (CRCS)
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Couples Coaching Option: Coach Training Alliance

Coach Training Alliance’s program The Art & Science of Couples Coaching is a great choice for honing skills in the field of couples coaching. You’ll receive numerous practical tools and techniques on how to spot the challenges in a relationship and help couples make positive changes.

• Course Length: 4 weeks
• Program Cost: $149
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Interactive Live Learning Option: Fisher Relationship Coach Academy

What sets Fisher Relationship Coach Academy (FRCA) apart is that, unlike most courses which only consist of recorded videos, this program also includes live teaching each week to maximize engagement and make the lessons more interactive. It is the only program that is developed and led by a licensed psychologist, Dr. Wyatt Fisher. The curriculum covers all the aspects of relationship coaching, honing skills for successfully guiding couples, running sessions professionally, and even training on marketing strategies to build and grow your list of clients. 

• Course Length: 12 weeks
• Program Cost: $2,500
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Observing Real Coaching Sessions Option: Center for Thriving Relationships

The Center for Thriving Relationships’s Certified Thriving Relationship Coach™ program is taught by a husband-and-wife duo who has over 15 years of experience in coaching and psychotherapy. Through the program, you’ll receive a proven roadmap for successful coaching, learn how to work on your own relationships, and delve into the intricacies of building a coaching business through business bootcamp. The biggest advantage of this program is that you’ll get to watch real coaching sessions. Another unique benefit is that your partner can get certified for free. Get more details about the program by applying to a free webinar. 

• Course Length: 6 months
• Program Cost: $1,997
• Accreditation: None
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Workshop Facilitator Option: Transformation Academy

Transformation Academy has an excellent program for becoming a certified relationship workshop facilitator. You’ll receive step-by-step guidance including content, outlines, and materials for facilitating successful relationship workshops and growing your business. To learn more about Transformation Academy, head to our review.

• Course Length: Self-paced
• Program Cost: $197
• Accreditation: Continuing Professional Development Standards Agency (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.

Interpersonal Relationships Option: Academy of Creative Coaching

The Academy of Creative Coaching has a coaching specialization for relationship coaches that covers different forms of interpersonal relationships. Through coursework assignments, specialized textbooks, practice coaching sessions, and one-on-one mentor coaching sessions, you’ll learn about intimate, parent, friendship, and professional relationships. 

• Course Length: Self-paced, bi-weekly live classes, and weekend intensive options
• Program Cost: starts at $1,195; see all options here
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Professional Development Option: Erickson International

Erickson International’s program, the Art and Science of Couples Coaching, can provide you with specialization in the field of couple and family coaching. The course will teach you how to help clients resolve the most common challenges in a relationship such as communication gaps, resolving conflicts, establishing trust, and more. 

This is the perfect upgrade for coaches with experience since the prerequisite can be met in a variety of ways: completion of Erickson International’s own training program Art & Science of Coaching Modules I-IV; Module I with previous couples coaching experience; or proof of coaching certification from a coach training school. 

• Course Length: 3 days
• Program Cost: $1,000
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Comprehensive Learning Option: The Relationship School

If you want to learn the ins and outs of relationship coaching, the Relationship School’s Relationship Coaching® program will supply you with the most comprehensive training. You’ll receive training in interpersonal intelligence and present-centered relationship coaching, learn how to identify your own coaching blind spots and protect yourself from liability, and you’ll work with a real client under supervision. 

• Course Length: 9 months (September–May)
• Program Cost: the Student Success Coordinator explains the tuition structure after the application
• Accreditation: None
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Budget Option: IAP Career College

The International Association of Professions Career College Relationship Coach Certificate Course comprises key relationship coaching principles and step-by-step techniques for relationship coaching. Besides learning the fundamentals of relationship coaching, you’ll also receive practical tips on how to start your own relationship coaching business and get clients.

• Course Length: 6 weeks
• Program Cost: $377 ($149 at the moment)
• Accreditation: Better Business Bureau
• Mode of Delivery: Online

FAQs

• How much does a relationship coach make?

A relationship coach’s salary depends on several factors, including experience, but according to the IAP Career College, the hourly rate ranges between $75 to $250.

• Do you need a certification to be a relationship coach?

Certification isn’t officially required; however, if you want to be recognized as a certified relationship coach and have proof of your expertise, a certification program is helpful.

• How much does a relationship coach certification cost?

You can pay as little as a hundred dollars or as much as a couple of thousand dollars. It all depends on how comprehensive the training program is and how long it lasts. 

• Does accreditation matter in a relationship coach certification program?

Accreditation matters in terms of boosting your credibility, but it isn’t necessary for you to become a certified relationship coach. 

• What is the most recognized coaching certification? 

Coaching is a fairly new profession, so most people aren’t familiar with all the available programs. If you seek recognition, it’s better to focus on accreditation rather than certification. Reputable accreditation bodies like ICF back training programs that offer high-quality coaching certification, such as the ICF-accredited Coach Training Alliance training. 

Conclusion

A certification program will not only help you establish your niche as a relationship coach, but it will help you earn respect as a professional and gain a competitive advantage when marketing your business. The effort you put into the program will be rewarded with greater knowledge of relationship coaching and a sense of achievement and confidence. 

If you’re uncertain about niching down to just one specialty or prefer to lay a solid foundation and develop your coaching skills more broadly, there are numerous programs offering life coaching certification that will equip you to support clients through challenges in both their personal and professional lives. Our top pick for certification to be a life coach is Coach Training Alliance. You can learn the reasons behind our selection and compare CTA to many other sought-after life coach training programs in our review. 

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