Relationship Coaching Institute Review – Become a Certified Relationship Coach

Last updated on February 24, 2024

Have you decided to niche in relationship coaching? In this case, you’ll need specialized training in this field to gain expertise and specific tools to build such a practice. 

Questions that commonly arise when searching for certification are whether the program is legit, how much it costs, and whether the reviews are mainly positive or negative. We understand the struggle of choosing a training program, so we’ve started a review series of the best life coaching certifications to tackle these inquiries. 

In this post, we’ll be addressing Relationship Coaching Institute reviews, for all aspiring relationship coaches who’re considering their training program. Read on to find out whether it’s worth it.

About Relationship Coaching Institute Coaching

Relationship Coaching Institute (RCI) is the pioneer in the relationship coaching industry. David Steele established RCI in 1997, making it the very first relationship coach training organization. They are more than just a training program, as they also operate as a membership organization that gives you ongoing support and guidance. 

The Relationship Coaching Institute Coaching Philosophy

Based on their long experience in the coaching industry, RCI understands that being a successful coach takes more than absorbing the knowledge and learning the coaching techniques. This is why their philosophy revolves around teaching you how to build and maintain a successful relationship coaching business.

They believe that the best way to become a skilled coach is through hands-on experience. That’s why they use a “learning by doing” approach to relationship training. Their students start practicing their coaching skills as early as possible, so they can gain confidence and begin helping clients right away.

With this hands-on approach and efficiency in mind, RCI has created the Coaching Business Success System™ (CBSS), a simple, step-by-step system that provides you with everything you need to achieve success. 

Relationship Coaching Institute Coaching and Accreditation

Accreditation by a reputable institution does have its influence in the coaching world, and the International Coaching Federation (ICF) is by far the most recognized accrediting entity. You’ll be happy to hear that RCI holds this accreditation, and their training program includes 144 coach training hours towards your ICF credential. So, if you were wondering whether they’re legit, there’s no doubt about it.

(If you’re looking for additional certification programs that are accredited, we recommend checking out Coach Training Alliance. It’s a popular choice among aspiring coaches, and we even did a review of it.)

Pros and Cons of a Relationship Coaching Institute Coaching Certification

You want to know all the details about RCI before clicking that ‘sign up’ button, right? We’ll save you the trouble of relentless research by summing up all the important information about their training program. 

General Relationship Coach Training Program for Both Singles and Couples

RCI’s coach training begins with a foundational Relationship Coach Training Program. The program consists of three distinct parts:

1. Foundations of Relationship Coaching – Insight and skills for becoming a professional relationship coach, including exploration of the ICF Code of Ethics and Core Competencies.
2. Relationship Coaching for Singles –  Education, skills, and tools for helping individuals who don’t want to commit to the traditional married lifestyle. The course includes workshops, signature Conscious Dating® and Radical Dating® programs, branded marketing campaigns, and more. 
3. Relationship Coaching for Couples – Education, skills, and tools for couples relationship coaching, whether that’s committed couples, pre-marital, or married partners. The course features workshops, programs such as Couple for Life™ and Radical Marriage®, marketing campaigns, seminars, and more. 

Two Specialty Training Programs

If during your foundational training you discover a deep interest in either coaching for singles or couples, RCI also offers two master certifications:

1. Certified Relationship Coach for Singles (CRCS)
2. Certified Relationship Coach for Couples (CRCC)

This can be an amazing add-on if you wish to specialize in one of the two relationship coaching niches. The master certification will contribute to your credibility and expertise in the chosen area. However, there are certain prerequisites you need to fulfill before you sign up for their master class, including:

• Completion of the 6 courses in the Singles Coach Training Program for CRCS, or 7 courses in the Couples Coach Training Program for CRCC 
• A minimum of 24 hours of documented coaching experience coaching singles for CRCS or couples for CRCC
• A coaching skills assessment with the demonstrated “Qualifies for RCI Certification” level
• The singles coach certification exam for CRCS or couples coach certification exam for CRCC

Basically, you need to take the Relationship Coach Training program to fulfill the criteria, and then you can pursue your specialization.

Ongoing Support and Mentoring

Unlike many other programs that leave you on your own after they hand you the certification, RCI has a completely different approach. They will support you and guide you both during and after the training. 

Their team of experienced mentors will be there through live sessions and offers direct communication. You can contact them whether you’re in the middle of training or deep into coaching clients with any questions, and they’ll come through with guidance. 

How Long is the Relationship Coaching Institute Program?

The training is accessed by phone which allows you to learn from the comfort of your home, while commuting, or from anywhere in the world. The class meets once a week, and the live sessions last around 8 months.. If the scheduled dates don’t suit you, you can contact RCI and they’ll go over available options.

The Singles and Couples Training programs also come in a self-study format for those who prefer learning at their own pace. Bear in mind that the self-study training doesn’t include individual mentoring or attending live training, and it doesn’t apply toward ICF certification.

(Note: If self-paced programs suit you best, you can check out our top pick for self-directed study, the extremely affordable Transformation Academy. Learn all about TA in our review.)

How Much Does Relationship Coaching Institute Coaching Training Cost?

As we mentioned in the beginning, RCI isn’t an in-and-out type of training, but a membership organization. Thus, their pricing is based on a membership fee.

The Relationship Coach Membership includes training programs, self-study programs, learning materials, and ongoing support. The enrollment fee is $3,997, plus a $79 per month membership fee that begins the following month for access to all courses. 

If you want to get a certification for Certified Relationship Coach for Couples (CRCC) or Certified Relationship Coach for Singles (CRCS), you’ll need to pay an additional $125 application fee per course.

For those who can’t afford to or don’t want to make a single payment, there’s an enrollment payment plan with $997 down and 6 payments of $611. Then the $79 per month membership fee begins on the 7th month. 

Relationship Coaching Institute Coaching Reviews

Reviews make a big difference when it comes to deciding on a program, so let’s take a look at what RCI students and graduates have to say. 

Reviews From Graduates

We have found truly inspiring reviews on RCI’s site, from experienced relationship coaches who have been a part of their organization for decades, to new coaches who’ve been fascinated with the comprehensiveness of the program. They praise the invaluable support, guidance on both coaching and business, and the confidence that the training has given them.  

Is Relationship Coaching Institute Coaching the Relationship Coach Training Program For You?

What makes Relationship Coaching Institute different and reputable is its strong specialization in personal relationships and its focus on the business side of coaching. Relationship coaching is a business like any other, so step-by-step guidance in this area can be a real treasure for coaches who may otherwise struggle with this aspect.  

If you’re still uncertain about whether or not to commit to RCI, here’s what we suggest:

• Download RCI’s free relationship coach starter kit
• Review our list of the best relationship coach training programs
• Find out which life coach certification might be best for you by taking our quiz

Even if you decide not to specialize in relationship coaching or you simply want to consider other programs, you should look into our top picks for life coach certification: our best budget option, Transformation Academy, and the program that gives you the best value for the price, Coach Training Alliance.

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