FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What makes IAPRC Coaches so special? We’re glad you asked! +

Coaching is popular, no doubt about it! It’s popular because it is effective - even life changing.

The title COACH is used in many fields: athletics, music, performing arts, leadership and business performance, team building, health and wellness, “life” coaching, addiction treatment, recovery communities, etc.

Here at the IAPRC we align our programs with the term COACH as it is used in the industry and field of Professional Coaching.

We adhere to the definition set forth by the International Coach Federation (ICF) which emphasizes that Coaching is:

“partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential… Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole.”  The IAPRC would add that people (clients) are able to make free and authentic choices and can grow beyond an addiction-based identity.

Q: What’s an IAPRC Professional Recovery Coach? +

A Professional Coach with a Specialty in Addiction Recovery who works independently with clients in a private business/ financial arrangement, and provides non-clinical coaching services for anyone related to their life purposes.

A Specialty in Addiction Recovery means a Professional Coach has unique skills and understanding to work with individuals and family members impacted by addiction. They do not provide counseling or clinical treatment but can support the recovery work and goals the client may have established in treatment or counseling. Professional Recovery Coaches understand the Stages of Change and can support client needs in early, middle and long term recovery as well as support a range of people desiring to change their “using behaviors.”

Q: How do you define “Recovery”? +

"Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential."    (SAMHSA/ Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)

Q: Can I make a living as a CPRC Professional Recovery Coach? +

As the estimated market size is expected to reach $20 billion USD by 2022, the coaching industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. With more organizations and individuals using coaching services, there is an increasing demand for specialized expertise. In fact, it is predicted that specialized expertise will play an increasingly prominent role in the success of coaching in the coming years.

We believe there is only one reason for such an increase, coaching truly works. It is life-changing. The coaching profession is here to stay.

CPRC Professional Recovery Coaches learn dynamic career skills that add new credentials to your resume so you can grow your client base. You will also learn tips on starting your business, participate in Group Coaching calls to grow your Practice and receive Coaching tools you can customize with your own branding. CPRC Coaches will learn Financially Valuable Skills.

Q: What is included in the Tuition? +

Complete Certified Professional Recovery Coach Course includes:

  • All Training Manuals
  • Coaching Tools and Course Handouts
  • Course Study Guides
  • Quick Reference Guides
  • Access to award winning Videos on Brain Science and Addiction Issues
  • Selection of Coaching Tools and Templates You Can Customize with Your Brand
  • CPC and CPRC Exams and Credentials (*CPC comes with Dual program)
  • Access to a library of past Coaching Webinars / Round Tables
  • Scheduled Conference Calls and Private Webinars
  • Group Coaching Sessions – Various topics such as How to Grow Your Practice
  • Continuing Education CE/CEUs are awarded for complete training hours
  • Participation in Live Skills Groups
  • Membership in International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches (typically 12 months included for full programs)
  • Once your program membership has expired you will be charged $16.95 per month to retain membership. You will be given an opportunity via email to opt-out of continued membership as your expiration date approaches.
Q: What are ongoing iCoachRecovery Membership Benefits? +

There are a number of benefits including ongoing access to the course and course materials and videos, Quarterly Connect meetings, and ongoing permission to use our coach badges and logos. See full list of member benefits here:

Benefits List
Q: When and Where is the training? +

The CPRC 80+ hour training is a self-paced online course. You can study in the comfort of your home or office as you watch online videos, learn to use new skills and tools, and interact with practice clients. The CPRC Program can be completed in your own time frame. Students who spend 6.5 hours per week can finish the self-study portion of the training in approximately 16 weeks or 4 months. The Live Skills Practice portion of the training is 20 weeks in duration meeting 2 hours a week. Periodic conferences calls, webinars and Roundtable discussions with faculty and industry leaders will provide group interaction and instructor support. Most students complete the CPRC Program in 9-12 months.

The CPRC Dual 100+ hour training includes all the elements of the above program plus an additional 20 hours of instruction in Life Coaching and practicum of 6-8 weeks working with a practice client. Most students complete the CPRC Dual program in 12-18 months.

Q: What’s the difference between Professional Coaching and Counseling? +

Counseling involves a clinical evaluation or assessment to define a problem or pathology, the clinician is a trained expert who arrives at a diagnosis and creates a treatment plan designed to address the problem; Counseling will often focus on pain or issues from the past that are causing current problems.

Coaching, on the other hand, is focused on the future. Coaching is not clinical; it does not assess problems, or create a treatment plan or take the role of a therapist. Coaching provides a safe, trustworthy relational connection which supports clients in the process of self-discovery, personal growth, personal responsibility and taking the next steps in their life journey based upon constructive and beneficial priorities. Coaches provide accountability to help their clients clarify and build on their own internal motivations for positive life change.

Q: Can you explain how a 12 Step Sponsor fits in with Professional Recovery Coaching? +

This Chart will help, You will cover this more in depth in your various courses.

12 Step Programs

Counseling / Therapy

Professional Recovery Coaching

Personally invested in the 12 Steps and sponsor-sponsee relationship Professional investment in extended education; fee for service; insurance Professional investment in extended education; fee for service
Non-Therapeutic Therapeutic Non-therapeutic
Guidance in incorporating 12-steps in daily living Focuses on relief of emotional and psychological pain Focuses on increasing client’s motivation to reach identified goals, self- discovery, growth & new possibilities
Not a substitute for counseling or coaching Not a substitute for sponsorship Not a substitute for therapy, counseling, or sponsorship
Usually works with people active in recovery; early, middle & long term Works with a variety of clients in psychological pain or trauma Works with people in early, middle & long term recovery, and family members
Peer to Peer interactions, sharing personal stories, fellowship meetings, service oriented, marked by traditions and sharing the Message of Recovery Provides referrals to other Behavioral Health services like medication and levels of care i.e. detox, residential, outpatient, etc. Does not work with trauma, but removing barriers to recovery and normalizing feelings
Stigma related to mis-information about addiction facts & the ‘miracle of recovery’ Stigma related to pathology/ problems/ pain issues, and misinformation about mental illness, addiction and recovery NO Stigma related to self-improvement, personal growth, developing potential and having a personal coach or trainer

SHOULD ASK QUESTIONS

Q: Are you part of ICF, the International Coach Federation? +

We are aligned with ICF in two ways. First, our key staff participate as active members of ICF.

Second, ICF has reviewed and approved over 60 hours of our Blended* course content included within our Certified Professional Recovery Coach Program (CPRC). We are authorized to provide valuable ICF Continuing Coach Education (CCEs) to students who qualify.

Who will benefit:

  1. Existing ICF Credentialed Coaches may use our approved Blended* courses to RENEW their existing credentials while gaining an important new Specialty CPRC credential.
  2. Candidates seeking an initial ICF Credential OR desiring to upgrade to a higher ICF Credential may use our approved Blended* course modules to satisfy educational requirements within the ICF Portfolio Pathway.

Students who desire to submit their CPRC training to ICF MUST complete additional Live Skills hours which are offered periodically throughout the year.

Our Live Skills Group Training corresponds directly to the following CPRC online training modules: Professional Recovery Coach Competencies Part 1, Professional Recovery Coach Competencies Part 2 (PRC Comps 1 & 2) and Family Issues in Recovery. It is suggested that participants in the Live Skills Group Training modules should complete the associated online course prior to beginning the Live Skills Group, but may enroll at whatever point they are ready.

As of January 2019, Live Skills Practice Groups based on PRC Comps 1 & 2 are included with and are a required part of the CPRC program. Live Skills Practice Groups completed along with the CPRC program offer 40 ICF CCEs and are designed to accomplish the following: promote skill development, deepen understanding of the course content, provide direct contact and interaction with like-minded people.

Note: Additionally we offer a 6-week Live Skills Practice Group series based on Family Issues in Recovery. (FIR Live Skills) The FIR Live Skills Practice Groups provide an additional 20 ICF CCEs when completed in conjunction with the full CPRC program. This training is not required and can be purchased for an additional fee.

*Blended Learning Courses: Our students and graduates who successfully complete both the Self-paced Online Learning Modules and the corresponding Live Skills Groups, will receive valuable Certificates of Completion displaying the ICF CCEs. (Revised April 2022)

Q: Who hires a Certified Professional Recovery Coach? +

Stigma prevents many people from seeking treatment or counseling or even attending 12 Step meetings.  Coaching does not have this stigma. On the contrary, it is seen as positive and beneficial. CPRC Professional Recovery Coaches will learn strategies for identifying and reaching the people they wish to serve.

Potentials clients come from all walks of life, from youth and young adults to families and baby boomers. Many professional people are seeking support to sustain and grow in their recovery lifestyle including formerly impaired attorneys, physicians, nurses, transportation workers, and people in the hospitality and service industry.

While many Professional Recovery Coaches serve people coming out of treatment, they are also very effective in helping people who are in a variety of life transitions (job, educational, marriage, parenting, health, retirement, etc.)  and want to explore new possibilities with the help and support of a trained Professional Coach who also understands the dynamics of addiction recovery.

Q: What is a “Peer Coach” or Recovery Support Specialist? +

Peer Recovery Coaches (Peer Recovery Support Specialists) are individuals who share the “lived experiences” of addiction and recovery, either directly or as family members or significant others. In a peer-helping-peer service alliance, a peer in stable recovery provides social support services to a peer who is seeking help in establishing or maintaining his or her recovery. Both parties are helped by the interaction as the recovery of each is strengthened.  Peers Specialists are different than 12 Step Sponsors although many people are both.

Other titles include: recovery (or peer) mentor, guide, or coach; peer services interventionist; “firestarter” in Native American communities; peer resource specialist, Veteran peer specialist, and peer recovery support specialist.  Peer Support is so effective that certifications have been created by addiction certification boards and mental health and behavioral health licensing in many states and nationally.   No college is necessary but there is recognized training required for various state credentials.

Growing trend in clinical treatment and behavioral health is to include PEER Recovery Support Specialists on staff to perform non-clinical duties and provide supportive interaction with clients and to role model hope and real recovery.

NET Institute offers unique training programs for Recovery Peer Specialists