How to Become A Certified Relationship Coach (Best ICF Accredited Programs 2025)

Are you passionate about helping people have the best relationships? Are you eager to restore marriages and lower the divorce rate? Have you wondered how to become a relationship coach? Coaching is shown to be a $15 billion a year industry, and is a great way to make your passion for helping couples a reality without needing a Masters degree! 

What does a Relationship Coach do?

Relationship coaches focus on skill building and tools, making it a practical way to help couples improve their relationship. Unlike traditional counseling, coaching focuses more on the present than the past and is more practical than process focused.

How To Become A Relationship Coach?

1-Enroll in an ICF-Accredited relationship coach training program.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the governing body for the coaching industry worldwide. Therefore, enrolling in an ICF Accredited coaching program is essential for the quality of your education and your future credibility. 

2-Complete all course requirements and become certified.

The next step is to complete your chosen program by finishing all required classes and trainings. It's important to study hard during your training to develop competence. Some programs also require practicum experience during your training to gain experience working with real couples. 

3-Market your services. 

After you've completed your program, it's time to start marketing your services. Some programs provide training in marketing for their students. Some common strategies include email marketing, social media marketing, podcast marketing, and SEO optimization. 

4-Gain experience.

Once your marketing skills develop, you'll start receiving couples to work with. This is where you put into practice everything learned in your relationship coach training program. As you begin working with couples, your skills will continue to be refined. 

5-Ongoing supervision.

Once you start working with couples, it's important to receive supervision from a more seasoned relationship coach. Supervision provides opportunity for you to ask questions and learn insights on how to optimize your quality of care for the couples you're working with. 

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Relationship Coach Certification Program

1-Cost

The price will vary depending on the program, though many programs offer payment plans. The cost often depends on the length of the program, what is offered through the program, and who is facilitating the program. In addition, some programs require additional costs for post-program support, being added to a directory of coaches, and memberships.   

2-Length 

Some relationship coaching programs are 4-12 weeks in length, while others can take up to 18 months. There are self-paced programs which allow for the flexibility of your schedule, while others have a more rigid schedule. Finding a program that fits your schedule and can be completed in the best length of time for you will be a priority.

3-ICF Accreditation

The coaching field is not a regulated profession, meaning that it is extra important to show potential clients that your training is standardized. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the leading organization in setting the standard for coaching standards and credentialing. Having a program that is ICF accreditation goes a long way in showing clients that your training and credentials are trustworthy and impactful.

4-Marketing Skills

You might learn how to work with couples in your program, but are you taught how to market your new business? This is an important piece of the puzzle in becoming a successful relationship coach. Not all programs involve marketing skills in the curriculum, so finding one that offers that might be the extra help you need to launch a successful relationship coaching business after you earn your certification.

5-Practicum Experience

Finding a relationship coach certification program that makes sure you have real world experience working with couples before you are out on your own can be an important consideration. Many programs do not require this practicum experience, but it can be a major consideration so that you feel comfortable navigating real couples and real situations. Gaining supportive feedback on your coaching skills before you get certified and work with couples on your own is important. 

6-Support From Experienced Coaches

Who better to walk you through the ins and outs of relationship coaching than someone who is actively doing it? Getting one-on-one support from an experienced coach while in the program can be a great way to get your questions answered, gain helpful feedback, and fine tune your future career. 

7-Post-program Support

The program itself might be great, but what next? Sometimes getting your business off the ground can be intimidating, or you find yourself stuck on a situation with a client. Knowing your program offers support and supervision after you’ve graduated is an important thing to consider.

8-Live Teaching

Some programs only offer pre-recorded video trainings, while others offer live teaching. Live teaching ensures more up-to-date information, while also allowing for questions and working through different scenarios and trainings in a more real way. However, pre-recorded videos may have the benefit of completing them on your own time. 

9-Credentials Of Instructor

As previously stated, the coaching industry is not a regulated profession, so knowing the credentials of the person teaching the relationship coach certification program is a major factor to weigh so you know you’re getting a quality education and training.

Top 4 Relationship Coach Certification Programs