The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization for coaches and coaching. ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards & providing independent certification.ICF is building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals. ICF has 141 chapters across 99 countries.
The ICF serves as an umbrella organization for professional coaches and coaching institutions, guiding and regulating the coaching profession. The competencies, ethics, and standards of the ICF have been collectively agreed upon by coaches worldwide who are committed to upholding the highest professional standards. The ICF is to coaches what the American Medical Association (AMA) is to doctors or the American Psychological Association (APA) is to psychologists, therapists, and counsellors.
Since certification and licensure are not mandatory in most U.S. states, India, the UK or other countries, many individuals label themselves as coaches without formal training. These individuals might transfer skills from other professions or lack training in human potential studies, often leading to subpar coaching experiences for clients.
Coaching has its distinct set of skills, and for many coaches, unlearning old skills from other professions is necessary to effectively acquire new coaching skills.
The BBC has recently investigated an organization that claimed to offer life coaching. None of the members of this organization were credentialed by ICF or any other internationally reputed coaching organization and the clients have had to make unfortunate reparations of the same.
Hence, An International Coach Federation (ICF) certification is crucial when selecting a coach to hire. This certification indicates that the coach:
- Has undergone professional training from a program designed to coach per ICF Competencies and Code of Ethics.
- Has displayed a proficient understanding and application of the ICF coaching competencies.
- Abides and is accountable for the ICF's ethics and standards.
When you are considering hiring a coach, make sure to inquire about their specific coaching training and ICF credentials or progress toward obtaining them. Don't be misled by other professional credentials or high fees.
For more information on the ICF, the credentialing process, or the ICF Code of Ethics, visit their website at CoachFederation.org.
The ICF Code of Ethics describes the ICF’s core values, ethical principles and ethical standards of behaviour for all ICF Professionals. ICF implemented the current version of the Code in January 2020.
Your coaching session is a safe and confidential space. As an ICF credentialed coach, the following principles are upheld under the ICF Code of Ethics:
1. Confidentiality:
Your privacy is paramount. Information shared in sessions remains strictly confidential, except in cases where harm to self, others, or society is indicated, as per the ICF Code of Ethics, Clause 3.
2. Secure Conversations:
Your coaching conversations are kept confidential and securely stored, following Clause 7 of the ICF Code of Ethics.
3. Satisfaction and Cancellation:
Unhappy with your progress? You can opt-out anytime by following the agreement guidelines, which are in line with ICF Ethics Code, Clause 8.
4. Commitment to Excellence:
Your coach strives to deliver their best, ensuring each session is valuable and engaging for you.
5. Authentic Credentials:
The qualifications and experience claimed by your ICF Coach are genuine and verifiable, as outlined in Clauses 20 and 21 of the ICF Code of Ethics.
6. Non-Discrimination:
Your ICF Coach is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment and will not engage in any form of discrimination. This principle has been specified under Clause 25 of the ICF Code of Ethics.
7. Structured Conversations:
A conversation with an ICF coach is structured and conducted according to the competencies which have been laid by the federation.
8. Non-prescriptive:
A conversation with an ICF coach will never be prescriptive or directive.
Yes, the ICF’s Ethical Conduct Review (ECR) process provides a forum where individuals can bring complaints about alleged breaches of the ICF Code of Ethics by ICF Members and ICF credential holders.
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