Course Overview

Build a solid foundation for professional Catholic coaching that honors God and transforms lives.

This intensive 15-week course equips you with the essential coaching skills recognized by the International Coach Federation (ICF) while grounding your practice in the wisdom of Catholic tradition. You’ll move beyond theory into hands-on application, developing the listening, questioning, and presence that create breakthrough moments for clients.

What sets this Catholic offering apart? You’ll learn from experienced Catholic coaches Lisa Mladinich, PCC and Gary Roney, ACC – instructors who understand the unique intersection of professional coaching excellence and Catholic faith formation. Our curriculum integrates Dr. Gary Collins’ renowned Christian Coaching framework with proven professional life coaching methodologies, all within a Catholic-friendly learning environment.

By course completion, you’ll be conducting actual coaching sessions with confidence – not just understanding coaching concepts. Many of our students even secure their first paying clients before this introductory course ends, launching sustainable coaching practices built on both ICF competencies and faithful stewardship of your calling.

Essentials of Life Coaching: Catholic Track with course materials and Catholic life coach training textbooks
  • Course Length: 15 weeks

  • Weekly Commitment: 2 hour live class + 3-5 hours reading, audio instruction, peer coaching, and assignments

  • Format: Live via Zoom
  • Instructors: Lisa Mladinich, PCC and Gary Roney, ACC

  • Prerequisites: None – open to anyone called to the coaching profession

  • Price: Starting at $233/month

  • Course Length: 15 weeks
  • Weekly Commitment: 2 hour live class + 3-5 hours reading, audio instruction, peer coaching, and assignments

  • Format: Live via Zoom
  • Instructors: Lisa Mladinich, PCC and Gary Roney, ACC

  • Prerequisites: None – open to anyone called to the coaching profession

  • Price: Starting at $233/month

Is This Course Right for You?

This hands-on training is designed for Catholics who are ready to move beyond learning about coaching to actually becoming skilled coaches who create measurable transformation.

Parish & Ministry Leaders

You’re serving in parish ministry, religious education, or spiritual direction, and you sense God calling you to a more empowering approach. You want a professional framework that honors Catholic teaching while enhancing your ministry impact through coaching best practices.

Catholic Professionals

You’re established in healthcare, education, leadership, or helping professions, and you’re seeking a new avenue to integrate your Catholic faith with your professional calling. You desire ICF-credible training taught by fellow Catholics who understand your worldview.

Aspiring Catholic Coaches

You feel called to launch a coaching practice serving Catholic clients but need legitimate credentials and practical skills. You want training that’s recognized by the ICF while deeply rooted in Catholic values and taught by instructors who share your faith.

Your Certification & Credentialing Journey

Whether you’re pursuing CPLC certification or ICF credentialing, understanding where this course fits ensures you’re building your training path strategically and efficiently.

CPLC

CPLC Certification

REQUIRED

ICF Level 1

Level 1 Certificate

REQUIRED

ICF Level 2

Level 2 Certificate

REQUIRED

Visit our Coaching Certification page for detailed requirements and steps for both PCCI’s CPLC certification and ICF Level 1/Level 2 certificates.

What You’ll Accomplish in This Course

You’ll develop practical coaching competencies through live demonstrations, peer coaching practice, and expert feedback – moving from theory to transformation.

  • Master the ICF Core Competencies through application and observation in real coaching conversations.

  • Conduct 10+ peer coaching sessions using professional frameworks, receiving structured feedback on your growth.

  • Distinguish coaching from counseling, consulting, and mentoring to maintain appropriate boundaries and coaching purity.

  • Develop powerful listening and questioning skills that create breakthrough awareness and client-generated solutions.

  • Create your own coaching client forms and welcome packets ready to use with actual clients.

  • Identify and articulate your core values, vision, and life purpose to coach from authentic alignment.

  • Navigate challenging coaching situations including obstacles, resistance, life transitions, and values conflicts.

  • Integrate Catholic faith naturally without being preachy, honoring both professional coaching standards and the richness of Catholic tradition.

Course Breakdown

The course follows a carefully designed progression from foundational skills to advanced applications, with each phase building upon the previous to develop complete coaching competency.

Weeks 1-3: Foundation & Framework

Discover what professional Catholic coaching is – and isn’t. Learn the ICF Core Competencies, explore proven coaching models, and understand the unique power of the coaching relationship. You’ll begin developing your client forms and coaching process.

Weeks 4-6: Core Coaching Skills

Master the two pillars of coaching: powerful listening and strategic questioning. Practice active listening techniques, develop intuition, and craft questions that evoke awareness. You’ll start your peer coaching rotations, applying skills immediately.

Weeks 7-10: Understanding Change & Growth

Explore how people change and grow through developmental models and faith formation stages. Coach clients through values clarification, vision development, mission articulation, and goal-setting. You’ll design actionable plans that honor client readiness and God’s timing.

Weeks 11-13: Navigating Challenges

Learn to empower and stretch clients while managing obstacles, resistance, and life transitions. Coach for balance, process energy drainers, and walk alongside clients through difficult seasons with both professional skill and Catholic pastoral sensitivity.

Weeks 14-15: Specialized Applications & Next Steps

Explore coaching niches including relationships, career, business, and spiritual formation. Understand cultural competence in coaching. Clarify your next steps for building a sustainable coaching practice or integrating coaching into your current ministry role.

Meet Your Catholic Instructors

Learn from experienced Catholic coaches who bring both ICF credentialing and deep understanding of Catholic faith formation to their teaching.

Lisa Mladinich, PCC, Catholic life coach trainer and PCCI faculty member

Lisa Mladinich, PCC

Lisa Mladinich is an ICF-Certified Life Coach and Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths® Coach dedicated to helping clients glorify God by living powerfully in their natural talents.

Gary Roney, ACC, Catholic coaching instructor at Professional Christian Coaching Institute

Gary Roney, ACC

Gary Roney an ICF-Certified Coach and has over 20 years of experience working with youth, college, young adults, and their leaders throughout the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Required Course Materials

These three foundational texts provide comprehensive coverage of coaching theory, skills, and Christian integration – they’ll become ongoing references throughout your coaching career.

Christian Coaching 2nd Edition by Dr. Gary Collins book cover for life coach training
The Powerhouse Guide to ACC, PCC, and MCC Coaching: Master the subtle nuances of ICF coaching and become one of the best coaches in the world
Breakthrough Coaching: Creating Lightbulb Moments in Your Coaching Conversations by Marcia Reynolds, MCC

Upcoming Courses

All classes meet live via Zoom for 2 hours weekly, creating an interactive learning environment where you’ll experience lecture, Q&A, and real-time coaching demonstrations from expert instructors.

March 2026

DAY: Wednesdays
TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern
DATES: March 18 – June 24, 2026
INSTRUCTORS: Lisa Mladinich, PCC & Gary Roney, ACC

September 2026

DAY: Wednesdays
TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern
DATES: September 23, 2026 – January 20, 2027*
INSTRUCTORS: Lisa Mladinich, PCC & Gary Roney, ACC

*NOTE: Class will NOT meet on 11/25, 12/23, and 12/30.

Tuition & Payment Plans

We offer flexible payment options to make this life-changing training accessible, with no interest charges – only a small monthly service fee. Catholic cohort students save $275 on tuition.

Full Payment

$2,250

$1,975

NO monthly payments

3 Payments

$765 / monthly

$672 / monthly

$2,015 total investment

6 Payments

$390 / monthly

$343 / monthly

$2,054 total investment

9 Payments

$265 / monthly

$233 / monthly

$2,094 total investment

All payment plans include a monthly service charge.

Due to the specially-discounted tuition on this Catholic private offering, other offers, promotions, and discounts are NOT stackable with this course registration.

Real Results from Real Students

Our Catholic graduates consistently launch successful coaching practices and integrate coaching skills into ministry, securing paying clients and creating measurable impact in service to the Church.

Professional Christian Coaching Institute is pioneering the way for faithful Catholics to train and transition into this powerful new field.”

Michael Aquilina, Executive VP, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology Author of more than 60 books!

The Essentials of Life Coaching Catholic class was more than a class for me. It was an opportunity to explore, grow, and understand more about myself and the life coaching path God has chosen for me. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!”

Marge Steinhage Fenelon, Author, Speaker, Spiritual Life Coach

“It was such a blessing to be a part of the Catholic Essentials of Life Coaching cohort and I can’t express enough how transformative the experience has been for me. The instructors are incredible examples of coaches and every session was inspiring and engaging. Through the program, I have developed lifelong friendships and we continue to support and encourage one another spiritually and professionally. The peer groups were especially invaluable in helping me gain confidence as a coach. I not only developed my coaching skills but also grew as an individual. I highly recommend Catholic Essentials of Life Coaching to anyone who is seeking personal growth or coaching skills.”

Roxsan de Vera, Catholic Lifestyle Coach at Meek and Humble

“The Essentials of Life Coaching offering provided me with a strong foundation of coaching skills and competencies that are directly aligned with Catholic values and professional standards of the ICF ethics and competencies. The Catholic track takes us to the next level with a specific cohort to increase opportunities for specific engagement and applications prayerfully discerned. This class has further developed my skills to better equip leaders and their teams in creative and professional ways that draws out the best of them.”

Sandra Black, ACC, Dual CPLC, Executive, Leadership, and Team Coach

“As an experienced management consultant and successful entrepreneur, I thought I knew how to coach executive leaders to have an elevated level of life, leadership, and legacy. Boy was I wrong! I thank God for Professional Christian Coaching Institute and The Essentials of Life Coaching Catholic class that enabled me to see how to better engage and empower the executives I work with on a daily basis. I highly recommend this course for anyone who works with leaders, regardless of your background or area of expertise. It will bless you and those God leads you to serve!”

Rick Newton, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Executive Coach and Founder/Owner, Newton Institute

Now, more than ever, the world needs what Catholic life coaches have to offer. If you are thinking about using your talents in this way, the best starting point is the Catholic Essentials of Life Coaching Class. This course provides the very foundation required to know how to best serve your clients by learning how to utilize the ICF Core Competencies, formulate powerful thought-provoking questions, and listen for the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The instructors both guide and challenge you to become the best coach possible. If you think Catholic Life Coaching is what God is calling you to, then the Essentials class is your next step.”

Melissa Ford, Life Coach at Confidence Key Coaching

“The Essentials of Life Coaching Catholic class helped me appreciate the skill of coaching to help others make meaningful and lasting change they own because it is coming from them, not from us. One challenge ministers often experience is not knowing what to say in certain pastoral situations. This course teaches coaching skills ministers can use to help others discover paths toward greater flourishing far beyond the limitations of the minister’s pastoral training.”

Reverend Kevin M. McQuone, Director of the Propaedeutic Program at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

“Enrolling in the Catholic Essentials of Life Coaching Course, and getting to know the PCCI Community, was absolutely one of the best self-development investments I made in my adult life. It’s a game changer for how I lead, coach, and live.”

Pat Molyneaux, Successful Entrepreneur, Executive Coach, and Co-Founder of the Human Formation Coalition