Starting January 2012 we will be offering the following:

• RCCTM1-  Recovery Coaching Certification Training Module One (with Orientation) starting January 31st. Tuesdays 3:00-5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Eastern.

• C&GR- Coach and Grow Rich for Recovery Coaches starting January 9th. Mondays 3:00-5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Eastern

• M&SRC- Mentoring and Supervision for Recovery Coaches with Alida Schuyler starting January 10th

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Is over-shopping the same as over-drinking? Does gambling fit the same model as heroin use?

The definitions of addiction keep changing. DSM IV called it dependence. ASAM now says it's a brain reward problem. Some say it should it should be medically-managed. AA still calls it a spiritual disease.

It is important to stay informed, but who knows what addiction will be called next.

What hasn't changed it the high relapse rate.

What hasn't changed is the need for ongoing support in order to stay in recovery.

What hasn't changed it that people want to be treated with dignity. They would like to be able to talk to someone about what is happening in their life. They would like to sort out what would help-- without being told what to do.

That's where Recovery Coaching comes in. Coaching is strengths-based. It's about maximizing personal and professional potential. We don't just coach about addiction, we also help our clients figure out what they want to do with their life, to enjoy recovery and feel happy. We help people deal with the little things that bug them, and come up with strategies for resolving bigger problems. We stay with clients as long as they want and benefit from coaching.

Recovery Coaches provide an unbroken link of continuing support by helping people choose and get the right help, by staying involved as they go through treatment and aftercare, and continuing to coach them as they settle into their home community.

Professional Recovery Coaching Training will prepare you to earn at a high level as you work with clients on a variety of issues. Recovery Coaches partner with their client an enjoyable and thought provoking process in which the client directs their own recovery. Recovery Coaches support clients who want to recovery via 12-step, faith-based, or harm reduction methods. In our training program you are taught both coaching and addiction approaches that come form addiction research, organizational development, psychology, business, as well as grass roots recovery models

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Crossroads Coaching proudly presents

Recovery Coaching Certification Training

What: Module One of a six-module curriculum

Where: On the phone

When: Tuesday January 31st, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Pacific.

Tuition: $600 USD per module plus $100, a one-time registration fee.

More Information: We are enrolling now for the next Recovery Coaching Certification Training.  Enrollment requires a non-refundable registration fee of $100 USD, and a completed registration form.

Deadline for registration is December 30th.

Class size is limited so call Deborah Drake today to reserve your place. Her number is 425-223-5335 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Weekday and weekend calls welcome.

By the way, can you think of someone who may be interested? We pay you a $100 referral fee when someone you refer enrolls, so forward a link to this page to your friends and tell them to mention your name!

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Senior Faculty:

Alida Schuyler MS PCC Director, Crossroads Recovery Coaching Inc.

Mark Scannell, PhD, ACC

Assistant Trainers:

Beverly Buncher, PCC

Deborah Drake (also Enrollment Counselor)

Mary Ellen Bartholomew

Deborah Smith, ACC

About Alida Schuyler MS, PCC ("AL-ih-duh SKY-luhr") is director of Crossroads Recovery Coaching Inc. She trains Recovery Coaches and provides private life coaching to persons with money issues or co-occurring disorders. She is co-founder of Recovery Coaches International and a current board member. Alida is a credentialed member (PCC) of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), chair of the ICF Great Life in Recovery Special Interest Group, and a participant in Recovery Coaching forums and e-communities. Alida earned a B.A. in Psychology from the Berea College and a M.S. in Library Science from the University of Kentucky. She was trained in clinical hypnotherapy by the Wellness Institute. To register, or for more information about finding a coach, contact enrollment counselor Deborah Drake 425-223-5335 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Coach and Grow Rich for Recovery Coaches

Do you get overwhelmed by all the things you feel like you should be doing to grow your coaching business?

Are you taking a lot of action but still underearning?

Are you tired of hearing "I'd love to work with you but I can't afford it right now"?

Do you feel that there's got to be a better way but you're not sure what that is?

Well, you are in the right place!

Recovery Coaching is one of the most amazing professions on the planet and in today's world there are thousands of people who need the help of a Recovery Coach and who will be spending money on their recovery. Virtually anyone can build a thriving, rewarding, and profitable Recovery Coaching business IF they consistently take the right action.

The key, of course, is knowing what those right actions are. That's what you will learn in our eight-week training.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RECOVERY COACHING TRAINING

–I’m an addiction professional already,  so how Recovery Coaching is going to fit in with what I already know? Most addiction professionals are trained to work with acute episodes of addiction in a treatment setting. But the tide is changing and public funding and private money for treatment is drying up. Now all the talk is about long-term recovery support. Its no longer enough to provide only acute care; support must go beyond stabilization. Abstinence is not enough. People want long-term support that helps them build rewarding lives in recovery. That is what Recovery Coaches do. We help make recovery worth it.

“At first I wasn’t sure I interested in Recovery Coaching training because I wasn’t sure what Recovery Coaching was. I thought I might be hanging out with celebrities or taking people to treatment. But Recovery Coaching isn’t like that. It turns out that it fits right down the middle with addiction counseling and what treatment centers do. In Recovery Coaching my relationship with the client is very clear. It’s a simple one to one relationship. There are no outsiders that have their own expectations. It’s me helping my clients get support with what is important to them. I like that the client takes the lead in their own work. I don’t need to be an expert on every addiction topic or issue but instead I’m the expert in helping my clients get clarity about what’s important to them, in supporting them to take action, and in holding them accountable for what they say they want. I find myself using the Recovery Coaching skills with my clients. Instead of telling my clients what we are going to cover I ask them what they want to talk about. Now they are coming with topics to coach about. I can see that coaching adds a new dimension to my counseling practice. My busy clients like the flexibility of Recovery Coaching. They can have their session over the phone or come see me face to face. I recommend the Crossroads Recovery Coaching training for other chemical dependency counselors or addiction professionals. I’ve just finished the first module and I’m already excited about calling myself a Recovery Coach.” —Paul Lubben LICDCD.

–There are a lot of Recovery Coaching training programs out there these days. Why chose Crossroads? Unfortunately, most programs that call themselves recovery coaching training programs aren’t really teaching you to coach. Some are really trainings for peer recovery support services—a sponsor–like job with lower pay than coaches earn. Others teach you only Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change, but not the core competencies of coaching. At Crossroads we train you in all that and more so you can be a really good life coach with skills specific to coaching the challenges people face in addiction recovery. If you really want to be a first rate professional Recovery Coach come to Crossroads.

-I'm curious about becoming a Recovery Coach but not sure what type of training to get.  The information is confusing. Is there more than one type? Yes, and it is important to understand the difference before you invest your money. Currently there are two separate and distinct types of services called “Recovery Coaching” both designed to help with addiction. There is the original form of Recovery Coaching, started by life coach Alida Schuyler MS, PCC, which uses life and business coaching skills to support those facing addictions. The other kind was briefly called “Recovery Coaching” by the writer William White but is more properly called a Peer Recovery Support Specialist (P-RSS). To avoid confusion, White has dropped the term "recovery coach" and now refers to peer support and P-RSSs. These two forms of support are quite different both in training and in what they can help with.

There is much variation in the trainings of P-RSSs. Some learn appropriate responses to crises such as domestic violence, but can’t help with recovery from more general addiction challenges such as codependency. At this time there are no set standards for P-RSS trainings. Each locale has it's own version. Those who want to work as P-RSS should see what their state recommends.

Professional Recovery Coaches are different from P-RSSs because there are set standards for professional coaches. Recovery Coaches have extensive training in those skills defined as coaching by the International Coach Federation (ICF). Our coaches are trained in the core competencies of the ICF plus addiction best practices such as Motivational Interviewing so they have both solid coaching skills to enhance successful change as well as a deep knowledge of  types of addictions and addiction-related concerns.

The differences between professional Recovery Coaches and P-RSSs are similar to the differences you might encounter in the medical field. Suppose you have a medical problem and go to get some help. A phlebotomist takes your blood. Then an x-ray technician takes an x-ray. Are you satisfied yet? No, because you haven’t seen the doctor. Even if a trained nurse takes your history and makes some recommendations you still want to see the doctor.

Why? Is it because the others are incompetent? No, they did a fine job. You want to see the doctor because he or she has more training, can understand the complexities of your situation, and handle it even if it’s complicated. There is a similar difference between professional Recovery Coaches and P-RSSs. If your problems aren’t the ones P-RSSs already know how to solve (such as finding the local mental health agency) they can’t help you. But a real Recovery Coach can. Because professional Recovery Coaches have an extensive set of powerful skills, they can coach you to find local recourses, build your business or esteem, finish your PhD, or find a good sponsor.

When I first heard about Crossroads, I had just completed 9 months of intensive life coach training, plus training in ADD and also Life Purpose Coaching—where I realized that family recovery was my main coaching interest. I was not anxious to enroll in another expensive coaching program, and I feared that Crossroads’ program might be too basic for me, so I took a local Recovery Support Specialist training instead. There I did gain skills for connecting addicts to community resources, but throughout the training, the trainer kept saying to the participants, “Well, you can’t help with that, but Beverly can because she is a life coach.”

When I completed that training I still didn’t feel prepared. I knew that I was a good coach, but felt I was missing crucial pieces of information about how to truly help addicts and family members. As my recovery client list grew, it was clear that I needed deeper understanding of their special coaching needs. So, I reluctantly decided to enroll in the Crossroads Recovery Coaching Certification course.

Frankly, I have never looked back. From module one, I learned things that were immediately applicable to my coaching clients. The interesting thing about the program was that there were people in it who were experts in addiction and novice coaches and people like me who had logged hundreds of coaching hours but wanted to learn more about addiction. I was most surprised by the fact that there seemed to be something valuable in the course for all of us regardless of our starting point!

I found everything in the course to be useful and much of it immediately applicable to my work with clients. From the reading list, to the class discussions, to the interactive lessons, to the hour of coaching practice we experienced each week, this program raised my level of competence as a coach considerably and impacted my clients tremendously.

I often tell people that the best thing about my coaching education was this program, because it gave me coaching expertise in the recovery field, ongoing coaching practice and feedback, the opportunity to get coached on my own stuff regularly as a part of the class, and last, but not least, a broadened knowledge base about addiction, recovery, and related fields.

I highly recommend this training to anyone who wants to be an expert recovery coach, because the focus in the course is just that: coaching those facing addiction and their families. Before I took this course, I called myself a recovery coach because I wanted to coach people in recovery. Now I call myself a recovery coach because I do confidently and effectively take addicts and family members to the next level—and that is the great gift of this course. Beverly Buncher, Florida

–There are a lot of Recovery Coaching training programs out there these days. Why chose Crossroads? Unfortunately, most programs that call themselves recovery coaching training programs aren’t really teaching you to coach. Some are really trainings for peer recovery support services—a sponsor–like job with lower pay than coaches earn. Others teach you only Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change, but not the core competencies of coaching. At Crossroads we train you in all that and more so you can be a really good life coach with skills specific to coaching the challenges people face in addiction recovery. If you really want to be a first rate professional Recovery Coach come to Crossroads.

–Why does it matter if a coach is credentialed?It matters because anyone can call himself or herself a Recovery Coach but that doesn’t mean they have been trained in coaching skills. For instance, some peer recovery support specialists call themselves Recovery Coaches because they have learned Motivational Interviewing. So it gets confusing. Our training takes eighty-six hours (it includes Motivational Interviewing and lots more) and our grads can be credentialed by the International Coach Federation.

–Other trainings are much shorter. Yours takes longer. Why? Our training takes longer because we meet the ICF standards for professional coaching while focusing specifically on addiction recovery. In addition to basic coach training we teach you about sex addiction, food addition, harm reduction, co–occurring disorders and more. We also include addiction best practices such as Motivational Interviewing. Ours is an in–depth and comprehensive training program. We believe it is the best Recovery Coaching training program available any where in the world.

–What will I get when I graduate from your training program? A beautiful diploma that says you successfully completed all the requirements of the program. You can then apply become a Certified Recovery Coach (CRC) through Crossroads Recovery Coaching. And since you have been trained as a professional coach you are eligible for ICF credentialing at the ACC level. By the way, all our grads who have taken the ACC credentialing exam have passed. That’s a 100% success rate!

–I’m interested, but are you sure that I can make a living as a professional Recovery Coach? That’s a good question. I can tell you that there is a big shift happening across the country in favor of recovery support. That means there is an increasing demand for professional Recovery Coaches. As a grad you can work with persons leaving treatment, aftercare or step–down programs, or with family members. You can earn more money working in alliance with cutting edge treatment centers, court systems, aftercare programs.

You can also work privately with clients leaving treatment, with those in relapse, with family members, or with clients who prefer harm reduction; or work as a life or business coach with those who have some time in recovery and want move ahead in life. You can create a specialty niche for yourself within Recovery Coaching.

If you intend to work for yourself and are new to self-employment we can teach you how to get started as a coach and market your business. In partnership with Coach and Grow Rich, we will soon be offering a new course for those who want business support.

–What can I expect as a student? Well, it’s an intense program. You can expect a lot of personal and professional growth. You will have a written lesson sent to your each week and a book or two assigned for each module. You are required to work with a coach for three consecutive months and you are required to coach each week outside of class. You get lots of support and coaching practice in class. Each 2–hour class includes an hour for discussion of the written lesson plus one–hour coaching practice. We use a positive learning model and offer assessment and feedback specific to both coaching skills and ICF credentialing preparation.

–What if I don’t like the program? We think you will like the program, but if you don’t and want to drop out you may be covered by our “Savvy Student Guarantee.” We believe students who do their part get more from the training so our guarantee goes like this:

• If you are paying by the module and
• if you have attended at least six of the first seven classes and
  
• if you have turned in at least four of the six fieldwork assignments
  

and you still aren't satisfied we will refund your first module tuition minus the $100 USD nonrefundable registration fee. If you have paid for the whole training and saved $200 USD, and met the fieldwork and attendance requirements for the first module we will refund your money minus the registration fee at the end of the first module. No monies are refunded after the first module. 

–I’m not coach or an addiction professional. Can I take the training? Absolutely. We would love to have you join us.

I was concerned about taking Recovery Coach training because I am not a professional counselor, therapist, or coach. My only credential is being the wife of a man with hard-core addiction. This class is one of the most positive experiences I have ever had. At Crossroads we are all equals—I am loved by the other students and I know I make an important contribution. I am so happy about my training and new career as a Recovery Coach. —Patricia Donovan

–What if my life changes and I can’t continue with my class? We know things happen and will always try to make it possible for you to continue and graduate. You may be covered by our “Savvy Student Guarantee.” If not you may be able to join another class that meets at a more convenient time. Or leave for a few months and start back up at a later time.

I want to enroll: Great! To enroll in the next Recovery Coaching Certification Training we require a non-refundable registration fee of $100 USD, and a completed registration form. To register contact call or email Alida Schuyler 360.452.5005 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I'm in Sydney; which section should I be in?

You will need to take a class that meets in the afternoon or evening in the USA so it is morning for you. Look for one that meets 6-8 pm Eastern, 3-5 Pacific. If one is not currently offered at the time you need, be sure to get on the waiting list for the next training. We alternate mornings and afternoon for subsequent trainings.

I'm in London; which section should I be in?
You will need to take a class that meets in the morning in the USA Pacific time so it is evening for you. Look for one that meets 10-noon Pacific Time.  If one is not currently offered at the time you need, be sure to get on the waiting list for the next training. We alternate mornings and afternoon for subsequent trainings.

I am new to coaching. Am I eligible to take these courses?
Yes, absolutely. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of those who have no previous coach training. If you do already have coach training your hours will work as continuing education for you. It is open to all  interested in becoming Recovery Coaches including chemical dependency counselors and other addiction professionals, sponsors, folks in recovery, and already trained coaches who want to make Recovery Coaching their niche.

What if I am already an ICF credentialed coach?
If you are already an ICF credentialed coach you can apply these hours toward your PCC or MCC credentialing or renewal as continuing coach education.

What will I learn in these courses?

• You will learn how to apply and integrate the eleven core competencies of the ICF as they relate to a specialty in Recovery Coaching.
  
  
• You will learn basic and advance coaching skills in alignment with the 11 core competencies of the International Coach Federation.
  
  
• You will learn the founding principles and skills of a Recovery Coach so you can effectively coach people with addiction issues.
  
  
• You will learn the unique qualities of Recovery Coaching so you can differentiate yourself as a Recovery Coach from other coaching specialties.
  
  
• You’ll learn the unique coaching needs of recovery clients and how to meet them so that you can enroll and serve clients with confidence.
  
  
• You will learn how to recognize and handle ambivalence as a natural part of change, so that you can coach client resistance with ease and grace.
  
  
• You’ll learn tools to help your client move through feeling stuck or relapse so that you hold confidence even when client does not.
  
  
• You’ll learn what stresses you as a coach, what your buttons are, and have a plan of how to handle triggers during a call so you can relax, knowing you have exceptional professional coaching skills.
  
  
• You will develop a sense of your special gifts and interests so you enjoy a unique style and signature presence as a Recovery Coach.
  
  
• You will learn skills to model or pass on to your clients to help them relax and avoid stress that can lead to relapse.
  
  
• You will learn to bring the professional coach’s skill set to your other work (i.e. as a sponsor, CDC etc.).

How long is each class?
Each class is two hours long. We meet by phone. The first hour is devoted to the materials for that week's subject, core competency and skill set. The second hour is coaching practice. Students  coach each other on their own life challenges or scenarios related to addiction recovery .

How long is a course?
Each module is seven weeks long.

How many modules are there?
There are six modules total.

How long is the whole program?
The total hours for the program come to 84 hours.

What if I want to take a single course?
We may be able to accommodate your request. Give us a call 360-452-5005.

Will I be an ICF credentialed coach at the end of the training?
You will meet the coach training requirements of the International Coach Federation at the 60-hour level and can apply for your Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the portfolio process. This is done directly with the ICF by going to www.coachfederation.org.

Is this training pre-approved by the ICF?
Each course has been specifically written to meet the criteria for the portfolio process. That means 60+ hours will be in the core competencies and are immediately applicable to credentialing offered by the ICF. Bottom line: yes you can get credit for this program through the ICF.

What about ICF continuing education credits?
The program or individual courses can be used for continuing education credits because the curriculum is based on the core competencies. However An earlier version of Recovery Coaching Training has been approved ICF for three consecutive years.

Will I be a Certified Recovery Coach (CRC) at the end to the training?
You will meet the coach training requirements and can apply for your CRC directly with Crossroads Coaching. See next.

How do I become certified as a Recovery Coach?
Not everyone chooses to get certified. If you wish to become a Certified Recovery Coach (CRC) the cost for certification is $500 [US]. (By comparison, one popular coaching school charges $5000 [US] for certification.) You become a CRC by successfully completing the six courses, logging 100 hours of coaching with a recovery client, passing a written exam, and demonstrating competency in coaching. Here are the steps in order:

1. Live attendance in 75% class hours (missed classes can be listened to via recording).
2. Document 100 hours of coaching time with recovery clients (any recovery client or issue).
3. Pass a written exam on Recovery Coaching.
4. Submit a 30 minute tape demonstrating your best coaching skills with a recovery client.
5. Demonstrate competency during a live exam with an assessor coach
6. Submit your materials and CRC application with a payment.

Your materials will be evaluated and scored by an assessor. If you have a passing score you will have earned the CRC.

Do you have a payment plan?

Yes, if you need a personalized payment plan, please contact Alida Schuyler 360.452.5005, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hey, Alida, it sounds great. I want to sign up.

Great! To enroll in Module One of the next Recovery Coaching Certification Training we require a non-refundable registration fee of $100 USD, and a completed registration form. To register call Alida Schuyler 360.452.5005, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What the students say:

"I learned how people make lasting changes in their lives and how to effectively support clients in doing so. This course is a must for anyone who seriously wants to coach people to live great lives." Julie M Daley, CPCC, Leadership Development through Personal Creativity

"Recovery coach training added a new dimension to my coaching toolbox. Alida Schuyler teaches concepts that are practical and inspiring." Andrew Susskind, Life Transition Coaching

"I have benefited tremendously from taking this workshop. It has given me the opportunity to both coach and be coached, and a wealth of applicable tools. This hands-on experiential process has provided me with a solid foundation in Recovery Coaching." Andrea St. Clair BA, CCDC I, CSAC

"Alida Schuyler has a broad understanding of the challenges of coaching people in recovery. This workshop has given me tools to confidently work with people in early recovery, as well as with all my clients. I highly recommend her class." Linda Landon, Business and Life Coach

"I have 18 years in recovery, am a trained counselor and have been coaching for 5 years-and this class far surpassed my expectations. Alida is a very effective teleclass leader, and a real expert on the subject of recovery coaching. I highly recommend this course." Trudy McKnight, M.Ed., Ed.S, CPC, Life and Career Coach and Centerpoint Institute

"Alida has brilliantly created this ICF-sanctioned training by blending the best work out there with her own background and considerable experience." Pam Bredouw, CPC