Learn. Coach. Earn.

Advanced Recovery Coaching Training

The only program brought to you by Alida Schuyler, the person who invented professional Recovery Coaching.

The only program that allows you to be credentialed by both the International Coaching Federation and Recovery Coaches International (RCI credentialing starts 2013).


UPCOMING  TRAINING DATES:

  • Spring 13-  Recovery Coaching Certification Training Module One (with Orientation) Starts June 6th. Meets Thursdays 9-11 am Pacific Time


  • Fall 13 Recovery Coaching Certification Training Module One (with Orientation) Starts September 3rd . Meets Wednesdays 3-5-pm Pacific


  • Winter 14 starts January 2014 details TBA


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Crossroads Coaching proudly presents


What: Module One of a six-module curriculum
Where: On the phone
When: Thursday June 6th, 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Pacific, that's noon to 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Tuition: $600 USD per module plus $100, a one-time registration fee. Total tuition for six module training $3600-


More Information: We are taking names now to be interviewed  for the Spring Recovery Coaching Certification Training.  Enrollment requires a personal interview to see if the program is a good fit for you. If it is, and you want to commit to the training,  we require non-refundable registration fee of $100 USD, and a completed registration form which includes a financial agreement. Class size is extremely limited so email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it today to have your name put on a list to be interviewed. 



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Senior Faculty:

Alida Schuyler MS CRC Director, Crossroads Recovery Coaching Inc.

Mark Scannell, PhD, ACC

Beverly Buncher, PCC, Mentor Coach

Deborah Smith, ACC

Assistant Trainers:

Fred Haas

Rebecca Smith, MEd, BRI II, NCAC I, SAP, CDP, ACC

 

About Alida Schuyler


Began private coaching in 1997


Founded Crossroads Coaching in 1999


Founded “Great Life in Recovery” in 2003

 

Co-founded Recovery Coaching International in 2005


Recognized speaker on Recovery Coaching

 

Published author on Recovery Coaching (currently working

on a book on the subject)

 

"Time and money were two big concerns for me when I was thinking about taking the training. I am glad I did because I love this training! Crossroads has provided me with a comprehensive introduction to current thinking in the recovery and addictions field as well as hands-on practice in life coaching. I like the teacher’s willingness to meet all of us students exactly “where we are” and the openness to teaching about all paths of recovery. It is a great value for the money?" Dawn Nickel, Victoria BC Canada



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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RECOVERY COACHING TRAINING

 

–Tell me about the application process- what is it like? The first step is setting up an appointment for an interview. You can do that by calling 360-452-5005 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Our class size is extremely small so we want to make sure you are a good fit for the training. We accept students from a variety of backgrounds. We favor students who want to become professional Recovery Coaches, who are committed to putting in the effort to learn to coach, and who will make time in their schedules for reading and practicing outside of class. If this describes you, please get in touch. 

–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 professionally. Some are really trainings for peer recovery support services—a case worker sort of job with lower pay than professional coaches earn. Some 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 a whole lot more so you can be a really good life coach with skills specific to coaching 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.

 

"I’ve been working full time as a professional coach for several years so I wasn’t sure I wanted to take another coach training, but I have been pleasantly surprised. I love the content. I am being introduced to many new things that reinforce what I already know about coaching while giving me new skills to coach people in recovery. The materials are really good and user friendly. I also like the format of spending the first hour on the lesson and the second hour coaching practice. Alida Schuyler is an excellent writer and teacher. I recommend this training." Barb McAllister, Bainbridge Island, WA

 

–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? Assuming your complete the requirements of the program, you will be send a beautiful diploma, and a seal to put on your website. You can then apply become a certified Recovery Coach through Recovery Coaches International (RCI) starting Fall 2012. And since you have been trained as a professional coach you are eligible for ICF credentialing as well. By the way, all our grads who have taken an ICF 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.

 

"When I retired I wanted to do more with recovery and the Crossroads training seemed like a good fit. In it I learned concrete ways to work with people who are struggling with addictions and expanded my coaching skills. I was also introduced to a number of new things, like harm reduction and Kegan and Lahey. It’s been several years since I took the training and I still use approaches I learned there. I enjoy being part of an ongoing community of professional Recovery Coaches. I recommend the training." Anonymous


–What can I expect as a student? Well, it’s an intense program. It requires consistent effort. A book or two are assigned as required reading for each module. A written lesson is sent each week. 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. There is a take-home assessment for each module. 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 for the first 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

If you still aren't satisfied we will refund your first module tuition minus the $100 USD nonrefundable registration fee.

If you have received a discount by paying for all or half of the training tuition is nonrefundable after the first 30 days of training.

–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 Crossroads by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 360-452-5005.


More Questions & Answers


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, or a peer recovery coach, or an addiction counselor, or a licensed therapist? You may only need 40 hours of training to be eligible to apply for credentialing through Recovery Coaches International starting in the fall of 2012.  If you are already an ICF credentialed coach you can apply our hours toward your PCC or MCC credentialing or renewal as continuing coach education.


What will I learn in these courses?

  • You will learn basic and advance coaching skills in alignment with the  core competencies of the International Coach Federation.
  • You will learn basic and advance coaching skills in alignment with the  core competencies of Recovery Coaches International, which apply coaching skills to working with people facing addiction and recovery.
  • You will learn how to apply and integrate the core competencies of both RCI and the ICF.
  • 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.).
  • You will learn skills in shame resiliency, mental health management, flooding, etc. that will help your client stabilize and enjoy their life.

 

How long is each week's 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 module? Each module is seven weeks long.

How many modules are there in the whole training? There are six modules total.

How many hours is the whole program? The total hours for the program comes  to 86 hours including orientation.

How long does it take to complete the whole program? It takes about a year to complete the whole program.

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

Will I be an ICF or RCI credentialed coach at the end of the training? You will meet the requirements of  the International Coach Federation at the 60-hour level and can apply for your Associate Certified Coach (ACC) via the portfolio process. This is done directly with the ICF by going to www.coachfederation.org. You will also meet the anticipated coach training requirements of Recovery Coaches International at the 80-hour certification level and can apply to for the Competent Certified Recovery Coach credential- once RCI begins offering them.

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.

Do you have a payment plan? Yes, we have several payment plans and can discuss which would be best for you during your interview. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to arrange a time to talk with one of our staff.

Hey, it sounds great. I want to sign up.
Great! We are taking names now to be interviewed for the next Recovery Coaching Certification Training. Enrollment requires a personal interview to see if the program is a good fit for you. If we both agree that the Crossroads training is right for you,  we'll send you an enrollment form which includes a binding financial agreement, and commitment to the training/learning process. Class size is extremely limited so email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it today to be interviewed. by one of our staff.