Top 7 Holistic Life Coach Certification Programs

Last updated on July 29, 2024

The connection between mind, body, and spirit is complex and incredibly powerful. While the awareness of the power of a holistic approach to life is exponentially growing, few professionals know how to successfully guide people on this journey.

If you wish to pursue holistic life coaching as a career and spend your days changing people’s lives for the better, a holistic life coach certification program can help you skyrocket your coaching business.

In this post, you can learn all about the best holistic life coaching programs. 

• Holistic Coach Training Institute – Best for Beginners
• Mind Body Food Institute – Best for Dual Certification (Holistic Life Coach & Mind-Body Practitioner)
• Spencer Institute – Best for Business and Marketing
• IWA Coaching – Best for Choosing the Level Right For You
• Holistic Learning Center – Best for Spiritual Holistic Coaching
• AFPA Fitness –  Best for Health and Nutrition Focus
• Udemy – Best for Wellness Focus

What Is a Holistic Life Coach?

The term holistic refers to “holism” or being “whole.” Therefore, holistic coaching is professional life coaching that looks at things from a holistic perspective. Holistic coaches don’t just focus on one specific area of life but consider the mind, body, and spirit all at once. 

Clients turn to holistic coaching sessions to improve their overall sense of well-being and achieve greater harmony and fulfillment in their lives. Through holistic coaching, clients can learn how to be healthier (physically and mentally), overcome limiting beliefs, and grow spiritually. 

Some people use the terms “holistic life coach” and “spiritual life coach” interchangeably, but “holistic” is preferred if you want to take a holistic approach to coaching, since the term “spiritual” might be associated with religion. Holistic coaching isn’t designed to help clients with their faith specifically but to enhance their spiritual life and achieve balance.

How Do I Become a Holistic Life Coach?

If you’re interested in becoming a holistic spiritual life coach, you can start your journey by earning a holistic spiritual life coach certification. While certification isn’t mandatory, it can be beneficial to establishing a thriving coaching practice right from the start. Through holistic coaching training, you’ll gain access to valuable tools, skills, and knowledge that can save you time on research and help you be more effective in coaching your clients.

Besides the technical skills and holistic life coaching techniques, specific soft skills can improve your coaching abilities, such as:

• Emotional intelligence
• Active listening
• Strong communication skills
• Problem-solving
• Creativity
• Empathy

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Holistic Life Coach Training Program

Among so many holistic life coaching courses, how can you find the right one? Here are some key factors that will lead you to the best programs for you. 

Program Cost

If you decide to gain your accredited holistic life coach certification online, you will have more options and save on travel costs. These programs can be quite expensive, but don’t let this discourage you if your budget is limited since there is also incredibly insightful training at an affordable cost. 

Course Length

Programs can last a few weeks or up to a year. If you have goals you want to achieve within a certain time frame, this can greatly impact your decision. Many courses are self-paced, so this can provide you with much flexibility. However, some self-paced courses have a deadline, so be sure to check the details when you enroll. 

Accreditation

One of the most common questions about certification programs is, “Do I need an accredited holistic life coach certification?” Accreditation isn’t mandatory, and there are reputable programs that aren’t accredited. What you can get with accreditation is recognition and verification that the accrediting entity validates the holistic coaching courses. The most well-known accrediting institution in the coaching industry is the International Coaching Federation (ICF). 

Best Holistic Life Coach Certification Programs

Beginner Option: Holistic Coach Training Institute

Holistic Coach Training Institute is a worldwide organization that aims to empower coaches by helping them reach their full potential mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The enrollment is limited to 24 participants to ensure a top-notch learning experience.

Their Certified Holistic Life Coach program can enhance your coaching skills to a professional level by providing you with a variety of helpful and practical resources. The curriculum includes video training materials, remote practice with peers, and participation in live online classes.

What sets this program apart is that it will teach you how to get your coaching business off the ground, which is great for beginners. Another great perk is the Holistic Well-Being Routine Program, which is a valuable done-for-you coaching program you can offer your clients. 

• Course Length: Self-paced
• Program Cost: $3,500
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Dual Certification Option: Mind Body Food Institute

Mind Body Food Institute leads you through three important stages to becoming an accomplished coach: coaching foundations, a deeper dive into mind and body connections, and strategies for launching and marketing a coaching business. Besides the general training and content, you’ll also get personal mentoring and practical experience.

In addition to its comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum, what we like about this program is that you get dual certification: Holistic Life Coach Certification and Mind-Body Practitioner Certification. Plus, as you’ll see in the list below, this program is backed by numerous reputable entities, one or more of which is sure to ring a bell with potential clients and persuade them that your training is legit.

• Course Length: Self-paced (up to 12 months)
• Program Cost: $2,895
• Accreditation: Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists & Hypnotherapists (ACCPH); International Institute of Complementary Therapists (IICT); Complementary Medical Association (CMA); International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine Accreditation Board (IPHM); American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Business and Marketing Option: Spencer Institute

The Holistic Life Coach Certification by Spencer Institute will equip you with all the necessary tools for conducting effective holistic life coaching and generating more revenue through proven coaching business models. This online course covers essential coaching concepts, holistic concepts, health strategies, motivational strategies, the scope of practice, and business applications.

The certification is valid for 2 years, after which you’ll need to complete 2 units (20 hours) of CEUs (continuing education credits) each year to keep it valid.

We like this course because Spencer Institute rewards enrolled students with a free business course for coaches. This in-depth business program covers a wide range of relevant business topics, including business set-up, marketing, personal branding, sales, social media marketing, online coaching and training, personal development training, video marketing, advertising, networking, and much more. You’ll also get bonus materials about what coaches need to thrive and the topic of environmental health. 

• Course Length: Self-paced
• Program Cost: $279
• Accreditation: The Certification and Accreditation Board of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Choose Your Option: IWA Coaching 

Integrative Wellness Academy (IWA) offers Integrative Life Coaching certification courses and practitioner certification courses on two levels: professional and master. Their integrative approach embodies the fundamentals of life coaching, proven tools and techniques, an integrative wellness model, numerous healing modalities, and basic business skills for a well-rounded education.  

The professional level can work well for those who are at the beginning of their coaching career, while the master level provides advanced training, tools, and techniques for coaches who already have some experience. 

If you want to expand your practice with life planning coaching, you can check out their Holistic Life Planner Certification Course.

IWA also provides valuable free resources, like their free e-book on building a successful coaching business.  

• Course Length: Self-paced (up to 6 months)
• Program Cost: Starting from $210 per month
• Accreditation: None
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Spiritual Option: Holistic Learning Center

If you want to put more focus on the spiritual side of your holistic life coaching, the Holistic Learning Center can be the right choice for you. It is one of the oldest academies for holistic coaching since the center was established in 1993. 

You can choose between the Independent Study Spiritual Life Coaching Certification and the Interactive Spiritual Life Coaching Certification. Both will teach you about the fundamentals of spiritual coaching, practical exercises, and building your coaching practice, but the interactive option includes classes with the instructor. 

You can start with their free course to determine whether this program is for you. 

• Course Length: The independent study course is self-paced; the Interactive course is 18 weeks
• Program Cost: Independent Study Spiritual Life Coaching – $3,499; Interactive Spiritual Life Coaching – $5,023
• Accreditation: American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Health and Nutrition Option: AFPA Fitness

Do you want to focus on health and nutrition? Or do you want to upgrade your holistic coaching in these fields? Then AFPA Fitness certification may be what you’ve been looking for. 

The AFPA Holistic Health Coach Certification Program combines the Health & Wellness Coach and Holistic Nutritionist certification programs. Collectively, these two courses will educate you about physiology, holistic anatomy, nutrition essentials, exercising, wellness and stress management, health coaching, overcoming obstacles, healthy relationships, best coaching practices, client assessments, meal planning, and building your business and clientele. 

You can learn more about the curriculum in their free program guide. 

• Course Length: Self-paced
• Program Cost: $1,999
• Accreditation: American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP); International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT)
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Wellness Option: Udemy

The Holistic Wellness Health Coach Certification on Udemy offers you the possibility to earn 2  certifications. Level 1 certification gives you lifetime access to holistic health and wellness coaching content, useful tools, hands-on coaching practicums, and skills for delivering engaging coaching sessions and managing ongoing client relationships.

To accelerate your career, you can continue with the free and optional Level 2 certification that will further enhance your coaching toolkit. You’ll have access to it when you remain enrolled in the program past 35 days. Level 2 requires that you complete a mandatory Coaching Practicum.

• Course Length: Self-paced
• Program Cost: $119.99
• Accreditation: None
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Alternatives (non-niche)

If you’re not sure about focusing on a specific area in coaching or if you’d rather build a strong foundation and improve your coaching skills before you niche in holistic coaching, there are many certification programs available for life coaching that can help you build coaching confidence. 

Our recommendations for honing your life coaching skills and techniques are Coach Training Alliance and Transformation Academy. They are both reputable programs with a long list of satisfied coaches who benefited from their teachings. Read our reviews of CTA and TA to find out how they differ from their competitors. 

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

FAQs

• What is the difference between a holistic health coach and a holistic life coach?

Holistic life coaches provide equal support to clients in their mind, body, and spiritual transformation. In contrast, holistic health coaches put a higher emphasis on physical and mental health, and they have knowledge in the fields of nutrition and exercise.

• What is the average holistic life coach salary?

Life Purpose Institute says the average hourly earnings for life coaching professionals is $208.

• Do you need a certification to be a holistic life coach?

Certification isn’t a requirement for holistic coaching, but it can provide you with the tools, skills, and knowledge you need to get started. Essentially, it can save you time and set you up for success.

• How much does a holistic life coach certification cost?

Typically, a holistic life coach certification program costs several thousand dollars, but you can find more affordable options for around $100-$300.

• Does accreditation matter in a holistic life coach certification program?

Accreditation isn’t a requirement, but it can help you gain recognition and validation.

• What is the most recognized coaching certification? 

In the coaching industry, recognition is more about accreditation than the coaching program since the variety of programs is too great. Choosing a certification accredited by ICF or the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), which are world-known accrediting bodies, will exert leverage among clients and coaches.

Conclusion

If you’re willing to put in the work, holistic life coaching can be an immensely fulfilling profession. Since there is no universal program that fits everyone, we hope our list of courses can help you find the one designed for your goals.

Even if you decide to pursue a general life coaching certification to upgrade your coaching abilities, our top picks for life coaching, Coach Training Alliance and Transformation Academy, can help you with that as well.

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