Top Positive Psychology Life Coach Certification Programs

Last updated on August 1, 2024

Do you want to employ a positive psychology coaching approach in your practice? This specialty can transform the way you engage with your clients and help them achieve personal growth, well-being, and happiness. However, to excel in this field, it’s crucial to equip yourself with the right knowledge and skills—and this is where certification programs come in.

Our handpicked list will assist you in choosing the ideal positive psychology life coach certification program for your career. Let’s dive in!

• School of Coaching Mastery – Best for Beginner-to-Advanced Training
• MentorCoach – Best for a Variety of Certification Routes
• The Institute of Positive Psychology Coaching – Best for Professional Development
• Wholebeing Institute – Best for a Holistic Approach to Positive Psychology Coaching
• Transformation Academy – Best Budget Option

What Is a Positive Psychology Life Coach?

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study of human strengths, well-being, and the factors that contribute to a happier life rather than just addressing mental health issues and problems. 

A positive psychology life coach specializes in applying principles and techniques from positive psychology to help clients lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives. They use evidence-based strategies and tools rooted in positive psychology to support their clients.

Positive psychology life coaches work with their clients to:

• Help them identify and leverage their strengths, values, and passions 
• Assist them in setting meaningful, achievable goals that align with their aspirations
• Provide support and guidance in the pursuit of goals
• Teach them resilience-building techniques to better cope with life’s challenges and setbacks
• Help them reframe negative thought patterns and develop a more positive and optimistic outlook on life
• Offer guidance on enhancing interpersonal relationships, fostering positive connections, and resolving conflicts
• Teach stress reduction and mindfulness techniques to help clients manage stress and anxiety
• Help them gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their values, and their strengths
• Encourage clients to explore their potential and pursue personal growth and self-actualization

How To Become a Positive Psychology Life Coach

The path toward a career as a positive psychology life coach is paved with continuing education and credentials that instill trust in clients. To earn reputable credentials and receive theoretical and practical education in this field, you can enroll in a positive psychology life coach certification program.

Obtaining a certification is more of an unwritten rule since the coaching industry doesn’t require that you have one, but the majority of coaches choose to get certified. The value of certification is that it positions you as a professional in the coaching field, helps you demonstrate your specialty, and shows potential clients that you’ve invested in yourself and in your education. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Positive Psychology Life Coaching Certification

Let’s discuss some key factors that can shape your decision of which certification program to choose.

Program Cost

The price of positive psychology coach certification can fluctuate quite a bit based on the program’s comprehensiveness and whether it takes place online or in person. Online programs are more diversified, so they also tend to be more affordable. The cost of online accredited certification programs is typically around a few thousand dollars. 

Course Length

When it comes to the duration of your positive psychology life coach certification, choosing a program that aligns with your availability is key. For instance, self-paced programs grant you the freedom to learn on your own timetable. This can be perfect for coaches with busy schedules. Other programs have more structured timelines with set start and end dates. Consider both your availability and preferred learning style when choosing a program, as this factor can greatly impact your overall experience.

Accreditation

Accreditation ensures that the program meets certain quality standards and is recognized by relevant authorities or professional organizations. A certified program, such as one accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF), can enhance your credibility. However, if you come across a comprehensive program that seems perfect for you but lacks ICF accreditation, you can always make up for it through an additional life coach program, such as Coach Training Alliance, that will earn you this reputable credential. Read more about CTA in our review. 

Best Coaching Certifications for Becoming a Positive Psychology Life Coach

Beginner-to-Advanced Training Option: School of Coaching Mastery

The School of Coaching Mastery stands out because it’s the only program that combines positive psychology, neuroscience, and advanced coaching skills to train you as a professional positive psychology coach. 

The Certified Positive Psychology Coach® course is designed for coaches seeking hands-on experience in the practice of positive psychology coaching. This program provides coach training in positive psychology, starting from a beginner level and progressing to mastery.

You can attend most of the classes through video and audio recordings. However, for classes involving practice coaching, it’s necessary to participate in them in real-time. 

• Course Length: Up to 1 year
• Program Cost: $7,965
• Accreditation: IAPPC
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Choose Your Route Option: MentorCoach

The MentorCoach Positive Psychology Coaching Certification program integrates positive psychology and coaching psychology to enhance well-being, strengths, potential, and performance.

There are 3 routes to becoming a Certified Positive Psychology Coach through MentorCoach: 

• For certified coaches: If you’re already a certified coach, you can complete 44 hours of Positive Psychology Master Coaching Classes, pass an exam, and demonstrate at least 40 hours of coaching focused on positive psychology strategies.
• MentorCoach Certification Route: If you’re not yet certified, you can become a Certified Positive Psychology Coach by completing four required courses for Certified MentorCoach (CMC), along with 44 hours of Positive Psychology Master Coaching Classes and demonstrating 40 hours of coaching focused on positive psychology strategies.
• External Certification Route: If you haven’t earned an ACC or PCC credential from the International Coach Federation (ICF), you can earn the MentorCoach Certified Positive Psychology Coach credential by completing 44 hours of Positive Psychology Coaching Master Classes, passing an exam, earning your ACC or PCC credential from ICF, and demonstrating 40 hours of coaching focused on positive psychology strategies.

The Positive Psychology Coaching Master Classes provide an in-depth understanding of positive psychology concepts and applications. The courses cover topics such as fostering well-being, optimizing potential, building positive relationships, and coaching with strengths.

• Course Length: Available upon request
• Program Cost: Available upon request
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Professional Development Option: The Institute of Positive Psychology Coaching

The Institute of Positive Psychology Coaching offers an extensive pathway to a diploma and designation as a Certified Applied Positive Psychology Coach (CAPPC). This program is for coaches who want to focus solely on positive psychology since the course doesn’t delve into coaching skills and tools. 

Besides the foundations of positive psychology, you’ll learn how to apply these techniques in leadership and resilience coaching. 

The Applied Positive Psychology Coaching Certificate consists of five core modules:

• The Science of Wellbeing
• Foundations in Positive Psychology Coaching
• Positive Psychology Coaching for Positive Leadership
• Positive Psychology Coaching and the Strengths-Based Approach
• Positive Psychology Coaching for Enhancing Resilience

The courses are self-paced, but you’ll also get live support and feedback from expert assessors.

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

Holistic Approach Option: Wholebeing Institute

The Positive Psychology Coaching Certification program by Wholebeing Institute goes beyond traditional positive psychology by incorporating a holistic approach to coaching. Instead of focusing solely on cognitive aspects of well-being, it uses the SPIRE (spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional) methodology alongside coaching principles.

For coaching certification, you’ll need to complete the following courses:

• Positive Psychology Coaching Fundamentals
• Introduction to Wholebeing Happiness for Coaches
• Building a Thriving Coaching Practice
• Positive Psychology Coaching Mentorship

You can also take the courses individually if you don’t want to pursue certification. The training is delivered through a combination of online and in-person sessions, peer coaching, and mentoring. 

• Course Length: Around 10 months, broken down as follows:
  • 10 weeks—Positive Psychology Coaching Fundamentals
  • 6 weeks—Positive Psychology Coaching Fundamentals
  • 5 weeks—Introduction to Wholebeing Happiness for Coaches
  • 5 weeks—Building a Thriving Coaching Practice
  • 3 months—Positive Psychology Coaching Mentorship
• Program Cost: $4,030
  • $1,095—Positive Psychology Coaching Fundamentals
  • $695—Positive Psychology Coaching Fundamentals
  • $495—Introduction to Wholebeing Happiness for Coaches
  • $595—Building a Thriving Coaching Practice
  • $1,150—Positive Psychology Coaching Mentorship
• Accreditation: ICF
• Mode of Delivery: Online

Budget Option: Transformation Academy 

Not all certification courses come with a price tag of a couple of thousand dollars. There are more affordable options for obtaining certification. Transformation Academy is a reputable academy with over 35 niche courses. All certifications are budget-friendly and CPD-accredited. 

While they don’t have a positive psychology coach course, Transformation Academy’s wide variety of specialty training will help you acquire techniques that can be beneficial to your positive psychology coaching career. Their library features psychology-based certifications such as REBT Mindset Life Coach, CBT Life Coach, and Emotional Intelligence Life Coach Certification.

Head to our TA review if you’d like to learn more.

• Course Length: Self-paced
• Program Cost: $197
• Accreditation: 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.

FAQs

• How much does a positive psychology life coach make?

According to iPEC, life coaches earn between $62,500 and $245,000 per year, so a positive psychology life coach’s salary falls within that range.

• Do you need a certification to be a positive psychology life coach?

Reputable certifications hold significant credibility in coaching, which is why it’s beneficial to get certified.

• How much does a positive psychology life coach certification cost?

The price ranges from around $3,000 to $8,000.

• Does accreditation matter in a positive psychology life coach certification program?

Accreditation matters if you want to be sure that the program follows the guidelines and regulations set by reputable and trustworthy accrediting institutions.

• What is the most recognized coaching certification?

Numerous certification programs are available, so recognition often comes through accreditation. Reputable accredited institutions like ICF, CPD, and IAPPC are widely recognized, so certification with this credential will ensure recognition in the coaching industry.

Conclusion

Positive psychology life coach certification programs are your gateway to mastering the art of coaching through a positive psychology lens. If you want to help individuals lead more fulfilling, flourishing lives, these certification programs will help you become a master in this field. If you want to build your life coaching skills as well, our recommendations are the comprehensive and ICF-accredited Coach Training Alliance and the affordable and versatile Transformation Academy.

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