The Best Intimacy Coach Certification Programs

Last updated on February 26, 2024

The complexity of human relationships creates an increasing need for professionals who can help people with improving their intimacy and connection with themselves and others. Not everyone is able to set healthy boundaries and be vulnerable with other people—and that’s when intimacy coaches come into play.

If you’d like to specialize in this growing profession, one of the best ways to do it is to improve your coaching skills and knowledge in this field through a reputable certification program. 

We have compiled a list of intimacy coach certification programs that have proven to be the best available today.

• Somatica Institute Sex Coach Certification – Best Overall
• Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) Certified Sexuality Coach & Consultant Program – Best for Building a Business 
• Sex Coach U – Best for Improving Coaching Skills

What Is an Intimacy Coach?

An intimacy coach helps clients to remove any roadblocks regarding emotional and physical intimacy. The coach also guides clients on how to deepen their relationships and feel more comfortable with themselves. 

A successful intimacy coach should possess the following skills:

• Approachable personability 
• Empathy
• Honest and compassionate communication style
• Supportive approach
• An understanding of human psychology
• An understanding of social aptitude

You don’t need a degree to be an intimacy coach, nor do you need a certification. So, why should a client even consider parting with their money to pay one?

Going to an intimacy coach demands trust and vulnerability from clients. Having a certification from a reputable organization is proof that a coach is equipped with the skills and knowledge to help them in the proper way which can help attract more clients and convince clients that your classes, workshops, and programs are trustworthy. 

What Is the Difference Between an Intimacy Coach and a Sex Coach?

There is a fine line between different types of life coaches who specialize in human relationships, and intimacy can certainly intertwine with sexuality. This raises an important question: what is the difference between a sexuality coach and an intimacy coach? 

Sex coaches are primarily centered on romantic partnerships and sexual relations. They cover how to explore sexuality, awaken desires, enhance sexual pleasure, develop healthy boundaries in sexual relationships, and more. 

On the other hand, intimacy coaches are centered on developing and deepening intimacy in different forms of relationships, including romantic, familial, platonic, and one’s relationship with oneself. Through coaching sessions, clients can increase emotional awareness, build trust in themselves, understand another person’s intimacy style, set boundaries, and so on.

You may notice that there is some overlap between an intimacy coach and a sex coach, and the same goes for a relationship coach, love coach, and any coach who focuses on human connection and bonding. Some coaches work in all of these areas (for example, they can help people understand intimacy and explore their sexuality) while others devote their attention to one or two specific fields. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Intimacy Coaching Certification

When you begin your search, you’ll come across many certification programs that offer to shower you with knowledge and hone your skills in the realm of intimacy coaching—so how can you spot the best one for you? Here are some key factors that will help you decide. 

Program Cost

Coaching programs can be quite expensive, so you should start the quest with a certain budget in mind. Completing an intimacy coach certification program online is usually more budget-friendly as it cut down on travel costs, so that’s another thing to keep in mind.

Course Length

How much time can you spare for training? Courses length varies, so you need to compare the curriculum with your plans and obligations. Certain courses allow for self-paced learning while others demand your presence at specific dates and times. 

Accreditation

The World Association of Sex Coaches (WASC) is the only certifying body for sex and intimacy coaches. However, the World Association of Sexual Health (WAS), the American College of Sexologists, and the American Board of Sexology are also reputable entities of sexual professionals whose accreditation holds a high value in this field.

The program you choose doesn’t need to be accredited by these organizations, but accreditation adds a level of credibility to your certification as these institutions ensure that the coaching program adheres to the set standards in this field. 

Best Coaching Certifications for Becoming an Intimacy Coach

While there are many certification programs for life coaches, an intimacy coach is a niche that is yet to reach its peak. While the programs here don’t specialize solely in intimacy, they’ll give you the skills and abilities to thrive as an intimacy coach. 

Top Pick: Somatica Institute Sex Coach Certification

The Somatica Institute is accredited by the American College of Sexologists International. It is also approved as continuing education units (CEU) by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) which is why it is one of the most recognized programs for intimacy coaches. 

The Somatica method provides an equal focus on human connection, self-awareness, intimacy, and sexual relationships, and therefore, the Sex Coach Certification will lay a solid groundwork for intimacy coaching. After you finish the course, in addition to being an intimacy coach, you’ll be qualified to work as a dating coach, breakup coach, and somatic sexologist.

• Course Length: Two 6-month immersions
• Program Cost: $12,800
• Accreditation: American Board of Sexology (ABS)
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Business Option: SHA Certified Sexuality Coach & Consultant Program

In addition to sexuality coaching and consulting, the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) Certified Sexuality Coach & Consultant Program specifically covers intimacy consulting and coaching. The program will prepare you to set up retreats, workshops, courses, and training sessions in this field, and you’ll also be equipped for offering sexuality coaching.

The program also provides three online conferences and an AASECT-approved online Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR), and you’ll receive an SHA-accredited certification upon completion of the program. Overall, this program is perfect for scaling up your business as an intimacy coach. 

• Course Length: Self-paced
• Program Cost: $5,850
• Accreditation: Sexual Health Alliance (SHA)
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Coaching Skills Option: Sex Coach U

Sex Coach U is the only sex and intimacy coach certification program recognized by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). Their training will provide you with skills and knowledge for both intimacy and sex coaching. 

A successful sex coach, author, and pioneer of the profession of sex coaching, Dr. Patti Britton, developed the program, so you’ll benefit from her knowledge about both effective coaching and establishing a successful business. The full program includes the Core Certified Sex Coach™ program (CORE) and the Business of Sex Coaching (BOSC).

• Course Length: 15 months
• Program Cost: $15,597
• Accreditation: World Association for Sexual Health (WAS)
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Alternatives (non-niche)

As you can tell from the overlapping fields of sex coaching, intimacy coaching, relationship coaching, and similar niches, your life coaching business can branch out in many directions.

If you want to discover the many other types of life coaching programs that exist, you can find affordable and credible courses at Transformation Academy. We’ve even done an in-depth review of this online academy.  

However, if you feel like you have enough knowledge and experience in the field of intimacy, and you only want to perfect your coaching skills, you can earn your coaching certificate through Coach Training Alliance. Read our review to find out what you can gain from this program.  

FAQs

• How much does an intimacy coach make?

According to the Somatica Institute, a trained and certified Somatica coach’s salary mainly depends on location. A Somatica coach in South Carolina can be making around $150 for an hour and fifteen-minute session, while practitioners in the Bay Area can make $250 to $300 for a session of the same length.

• Do you need a certification to be an intimacy coach?

Certification isn’t required, but it does help with getting new clients and improving your coaching techniques. 

• How much does an intimacy coach certification cost?

Programs with a strong curriculum, accredited certification, and hands-on training usually cost thousands of dollars and reach price tags of $10,000.

• Does accreditation matter in an intimacy coach certification program?

Even though it is not a requirement, accreditation can convince potential clients of your coaching skills and your experience with intimacy coaching.

Conclusion

Helping people open up about their intimacy problems and guiding them toward healthier and happier relationships demands a lot of trust from the client’s side.

In addition to upgrading your abilities in this field, earning an intimacy coach certification from the Somatica Institute or another reputable organization is how you’ll provide that much-needed assurance to your potential clients. An investment such as this can give you a new perspective on your work and can provide you with the right tools for developing a successful business as an intimacy coach. 

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