Coaching is a fast-growing industry that has experienced steady growth over decades and is becoming more mainstream. If you are searching for the right life coach training, you may find there are so many different approaches to coaching. If you want to know how to choose the right coaching training for you, I break down the differences to give you more clarity. 

Coaching is Not Regulated

Coaching is not a regulated industry in the United States as of today and this can create a lower barrier to entry in getting your coaching business going and getting paying clients, but the downside is that lack of regulation opens up the industry to people using the word “coach” without proper training.

If you want to be truly successful and really help people, the first step is to commit to getting solid, reputable training. The coach training program you choose is the foundation for your future success. If properly trained, your coaching can be very powerful as 99% of clients report they are satisfied or very satisfied with their coaching according to ICF, International Coaching Federation. You can feel confident that you will help others and make a difference.

Training in Techniques v. Coaching System

You can find just about any short training to learn a specific technique such as mindfulness, breathwork or hypnosis, but these smaller technique trainings do not give you the education and skills to become a certified coach. The problem with just learning a technique is that you apply it as symptom-relief rather than a long-term solution for the client.

By investing in yourself and your career in a valid coach training program, you will have a full spectrum of techniques inside a larger methodology or system you can take the clients on a journey. For many years I’ve watched so many people train in these techniques and end up spending more money on multiple mini-trainings only to end up without an understanding on how to apply them in a cohesive way to enable a full transformation. Plus, these techniques are typically offered at lower prices which makes it difficult to create a financially-sustainable business.

Two Main Coaching Models Taught in Coach Certification Schools

With all the choices out there, it is easy to get lost in what type of coach you want to become. There are two distinct schools of coaching, one that stays on the surface and the other that goes deeper into the unconscious mind. You can look at which model works best for you as you consider a coach training program.

1. 1. Motivational and Behavioral Coaching Model

This is the most prevalent model in the coach training marketplace right now. There are many “brands” of coaching and methodologies, but they mostly fall into this category. This type of coaching works only on the conscious level of the person. The coach examines the evidence the client presents in their narrative, how they say they feel and what actions they are taking. The coach then questions their self-beliefs, helps them get to a positive emotional state and encourages them to set goals and take action out of their comfort zone to change their life.

This is very effective for short-term changes. The client can learn to set boundaries, think positively and change actions to get a different outcome in their life. When you see those life coaches on reality shows, the pop self-help authors, this is the type of coaching they offer. They call it changing your mindset.

This type of coaching only works on the conscious personality but doesn’t address the unconscious aspects of the psyche (which is the key to lasting change.) Behavioral coaching is what I like to call “re-arranging the furniture” because the client still identifies as the surface self which is still limiting compared to the depth coaching model.

Some coaches in this category get trained in emotional techniques to treat the symptoms for the client of stress, anger and other uncomfortable emotions. This may mask the symptoms but do not provide clients a path for continuous growth and evolution.

If you don’t like to get too deep with clients and enjoy the basics of personal growth, this model is ideal for you. If you love to go deep and explore rich, soulful experiences with clients, then the Jungian Depth Coaching model is a better fit for you.

2. 2. Jungian Depth Coaching Model

An emerging field in coaching is Jungian Depth Coaching. The Founders of CreativeMind were inspired by the Swiss Psychologist Carl Jung. While there other Depth Coach-type trainings, CreativeMind’s training is unique because it is based on a spiritual psychology and focuses on Jung’s Individuation process. The power of depth coaching is that it not only includes the conscious personality (like in behavioral coaching) but addresses unconscious aspects of the psyche for lasting change. The depth coach helps a client master their outer world but also brings in purpose and meaning to their life journey

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will think of it as fate.” – Carl Jung

Early in life we are shaped by our experiences and the people around us. We create a “Persona” that is a part of our conscious personality tied to the ego or sense of “I, me, and mine.” In the behavior method of coaching you are guided to update this persona by changing on the conscious level. Unfortunately, this change is short-lived as the real, authentic you is buried in your unconscious. 

Is it safe to access the unconscious mind?

Is it safe for a client to access their unconscious mind? In fact, it makes a client’s life much more difficult if they do not approach the unconscious. If the unconscious is not addressed, the client remains powerless to its forces and can, at best, learn to adapt to what appears to them as outer circumstances that are happening to them. When they approach the unconscious, they begin to have access to inner resources, creativity and imagination. They see their inner world creates their outer world and that changes their life.

Jung believed that we all have a true self that wants to live in us. This is why most people after 30 feel unfulfilled and lack meaning. Jung developed a process of becoming your true self, self-actualization or as he called it “Individuation.” A Depth Coach can guide clients to use tools to uncover unconscious aspects of themselves that they have repressed or denied. 

First Phase of Jungian Life Coaching Model

The first stage of this is called “shadow work.” Shadow Work is not about healing the past, but reclaiming aspects of ourselves that the Persona has suppressed and rejected so we can be whole again. We get to choose who we want to become outside of the expectations of others. We begin to live an authentic life. 

Second Phase of Jungian Life Coaching Model
The second phase that a Jungian Depth Coach can help a client is through cultivating a Creative Mindset. After shadow work, the client now has free will. Is no longer bound by past patterns and can truly create something new in their life. The Jungian Depth Coach understands universal archetypes that can help them reclaim their power to create in the world. To go from ordinary living, to creating an extraordinary life.

How a Jungian Depth Coaching is Applied 

How do you access unconscious content if a client is not conscious of them? A CreativeMind Jungian Depth Coach is trained to use these tools:

• • Recognizing projections and emotional triggers from people in their life;
  • Emotional Power Integration™ technique that involves self-inquiry and meditative practices to face difficult emotions so they no longer rule the client’s life and choices;
  • Active Imagination (an advanced meditative practice to interact with content from the unconscious mind); and
  • Dream Interpretation – Depth Coaches can assist clients in interpreting dreams and their symbolic meaning that are providing them wisdom for their conscious life.

In depth coaching, the client gets a direct experience of their deeper nature, can access inner wisdom and is equipped and empowered to use the tools for the rest of their lives.

Want to Learn More or Become a Jungian Depth Coach?

There is so much more to Jungian Depth Coaching than we can describe in this brief article. If you are interested in becoming a Jungian Depth Coach trained by CreativeMind University, you can download our brochure here.

Coaching is a powerful and growing profession. We hope you get the right coach training for you in whatever model speaks to you. We know you will find so much success and fulfillment as a coach. Don’t be afraid to take the leap and begin this amazing journey.