The Best Marriage Coaching Certification Programs

Last updated on July 29, 2024

The divorce rate clearly indicates that many couples need relationship guidance. Instead of giving up at the first sign of trouble, more and more partners are seeking support and advice from professionals—marriage coaches.

If you feel like you have what it takes to make it in this field, the best way to build your practices as a marriage coach is by earning a marriage coaching certification. Here are the top-rated programs for marriage coaches. 

• iPEC’s Couples Coaching Certification Program – Best for Gaining Strong Coaching Skills
• Erickson International – Best for Professional Development
• Coach Training Alliance – Best Budget Option
• Fisher Relationship Coach Academy (FRCA) – Best for Live Learning
• Professional Christian Coaching – Best for Pre-Marital and Marital Coaching
• Life Breakthrough Academy – Best for Christian Marriage Coaching

What Is Marriage Coaching?

A marriage coach helps couples build and maintain healthy relationships and face conflicts and challenges. In coaching sessions, clients get a safe, neutral, and empathic space for resolving issues as well as knowledgeable guidance.

Clients don’t need to be officially married to go to a marriage coach since unmarried partners and pre-marital couples can also benefit from this type of support. 

A marriage coach helps clients gain insight into their relationship, build self-esteem, self-actualize, learn conflict management techniques, get an understanding of their partner’s perspective, and set goals for their marriage.

Difference Between a Marriage Coach, Relationship Coach, and Intimacy Coach

Can a relationship coach be a marriage coach? Since marriage is a form of relationship, relationship coaches can work with married couples, but they also help clients with other relationship challenges, unlike marriage coaches who focus and specialize in couples’ relationships. 

Another overlapping coaching niche is intimacy coaching. Intimacy coaches guide clients through deepening their relationships, not just romantic ones, but also platonic and familial relationships, and, and one’s connection with oneself. 

What Is the Difference Between Marriage Coaching and Marriage Counseling?

Marriage coaching and counseling are intertwining practices, but there are some differences. While coaches focus more on the future and marriage goals, counselors revise the past to learn more about the present. 

Counseling is mainly centered on healing, whereas coaching prioritizes growth. Even though there is an overlap between the two, a coach may concentrate more on identifying the couple’s strengths, while a counselor may look into past difficulties.

How To Become a Marriage Coach

Considering that most clients will evaluate you based on your credentials and experience, getting a certification can be the most effective way of starting a practice. Through marriage coaching training, you’ll get familiar with behavioral psychology, the complex dynamics of relationships, and tools and techniques for marriage coaching. 

What about the skills you need to be a successful marriage coach? Here are some of the most valuable traits in this profession:

• Listening skills
• Observation skills
• Empathy
• Effective communication skills
• Tranquility amidst conflict
• Problem-solving
• Mediation

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Marriage Coaching Certification

How can you make your search more precise and goal-oriented? You can consider some of the most influential factors, such as the cost, course duration, and accreditation. 

Program Cost

The fees for a marriage coach certification range from around $100 to over $1,000. Don’t let the price fool you, as the cost isn’t necessarily a measure of quality. What does affect the cost is whether the training is online or in-person and what it teaches you. So, it’s best if you set a spending limit beforehand and adjust your search accordingly.

Course Length

Whether you want to get your certification within a few days or want to commit to a year-long program, there’s a program available to suit your preference. If you have envisioned timelines for your coaching practice, that can greatly influence your choices. 

Accreditation

There is no regulatory body in the coaching industry; however, there are certain entities that evaluate and accredit programs based on their coaching standards and ethics. The most renowned accrediting body in the field of coaching is International Coaching Federation (ICF). However, accreditation isn’t required and depends solely on your preference and goals. 

Best Coaching Certifications for Becoming a Marriage Coach

Coaching Option: iPEC’s Couples Coaching Certification Program

iPEC’s Couples Coaching Certification Program (search “couples” once you arrive to the site) gives you access to live seminars, coaching techniques, and world-class skills for building a successful practice. What makes this program unique is that you’ll add to your toolbox iPEC’s own coaching tools and principles.

The curriculum doesn’t focus solely on marriage but on any form of the couple’s relationship. Some of the topics you’ll learn about are dealing with conflict and resentment, improving communication, and transforming limiting beliefs, all in favor of a better relationship.

• Course Length: 7-8 months
• Program Cost: Available upon request. (Save up to $600 Off Tuition at iPEC Coaching with our link!)
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Professional Development Option: Erickson International

With the Art & Science Of Couples Coaching program by Erickson International, you can become a certified couples and marriage coach within 3 days. This is the perfect program for life coaches who want to specialize in marriage coaching since the prerequisite is a coaching certification or completion of Erickson’s Art & Science of Coaching Modules I-IV (or just Module I if you have previous couples coaching experience).

The program is well-organized, solution-focused, and packed with valuable techniques for couples coaching. Learn how to support couples as they rediscover love, reconnect, forgive, and create a harmonious relationship. 

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

Budget Option: Coach Training Alliance

If you want a comprehensive program at an affordable price, Coach Training Alliance is the best option (read our review to find out more about CTA). The Art & Science of Couples Coaching trains you to work with couples (married and unmarried) who want to build a thriving relationship.  

After you finish the program, you will be proficient in several coaching methods, such as assessment, understanding the nature of healthy relationships, identifying strengths and limitations in a relationship, and recognizing unhealthy behaviors. 

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

Live Sessions Option: Fisher Relationship Coach Academy

Though Fisher Relationship Coach Academy (FRCA) isn’t solely focused on marriage, the program is designed for all couples (including married ones). In addition, the program is created and delivered by Dr. Wyatt Fisher, a licensed psychologist and marriage therapist. 

The program covers how to coach clients through the challenges they face in their relationships, as well as how to become a better coach and promote your services. What makes this course unique is its weekly live teaching sessions that allow you to interact with Dr. Fisher and other learners. This program is also one of the few that provides you the chance to gain practical experience by working with real couples. You’ll get hands-on training and receive feedback on your coaching skills.

• Course Length: 12 weeks
• Program Cost: Available upon request
• Accreditation: ICF

Mode of Delivery: Online

Pre-Marital and Marital Coaching Option: Professional Christian Coaching

Professional Christian Coaching’s Pre-Marital & Marriage Coaching program is an 8-week course that dedicates 4 weeks to pre-marital coaching and 4 weeks to marital coaching. So, if you wish to gain experience in both stages of a relationship, this is a course for you.

The pre-marital coaching will center around strengthening a relationship that will lead to a better marriage. The marriage coaching component delves deeper into how you can help couples overcome any struggles in marriage. 

• Course Length: 8 weeks
• Program Cost: $750
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Christian Marriage Option: Life Breakthrough Academy

Do you want to work with Christian couples? Then the Christian Marriage Coaching Certification by Life Breakthrough Academy is how you can get the experience and credentials. You can choose between solo and group training, depending on what environment works better for you. 

The Christian marriage coach training teaches you active listening, powerful questioning techniques, and their exclusive coaching method. Besides the practical tools, you’ll also learn about the importance of values, the effect of mindsets, couple communication, handling arguments, and more. 

• Course Length: 10 weeks 
• Program Cost: $798–Solo training; $598–Group training
• Accreditation: Biblical Coaching Alliance; Association for Coaching
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Alternatives (non-niche)

Your coaching development doesn’t need to end with a marriage coaching certification. You can gain a lot from other life coaching certification programs, whether you want to add new techniques to your coaching toolbox or get certified in a related niche, such as divorce coaching or relationship coaching.

If you’re looking for reputable certification programs at a reasonable price, our recommendation is Transformation Academy (TA). Learn all about TA in our review. 

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

FAQs

• How much does a marriage coach make?

According to IAP Career College, a relationship coach’s salary ranges between $75 to $250 per hour, depending on experience and location (among other factors).

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

Obtaining certification isn’t mandatory, but it is beneficial if you want recognition as a certified marriage or couples coach and evidence of your proficiency.

• How much does a marriage coach certification cost?

The cost of a marriage coach certification can be anywhere from $200 to over $1,000. 

• Does accreditation matter in a marriage coach certification program?

Accreditation isn’t required, but it can help you attract clients and gain recognition. 

• What is the most recognized coaching certification? 

Designating a most recognized certification is complicated as many of them are well-known and offer exceptional training for marriage coaches. A better way to gain recognition is to opt for an accredited certification, as accreditation has more substantial authority in the coaching world.

Conclusion

There are so many career prospects for marriage coaches, from a private business to working in state institutes. This sought-after profession can give you the career you’ve been dreaming of, and the first step is enrolling in a marriage coach certification program.

The best part is that the options are diversified, and whether you choose CTA’s Art and Science of Couples Coaching, Christian Marriage Coach program, or explore other niches with Transformation Academy courses, the training will allow you to build a career that’s tailored to you. 

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