An emotional intelligence certification is a valuable qualification for life coaches who want to help their clients improve their emotional quotient (EQ). 

This training equips coaches with the necessary tools to promote emotional awareness, social intelligence, mental health, communication skills, stress management, and more. 

In this blog post, you’ll learn what it takes to become a certified life coach who specializes in emotional intelligence, including:

• What is emotional intelligence coaching?
• How to become an emotional intelligence coach
• How to get your emotional intelligence coaching certification
• FAQs about emotional intelligence certifications

What is Emotional Intelligence Coaching?

Emotional intelligence coaching is a type of life coaching that helps people develop and improve their emotional intelligence (EI) or emotional quotient (EQ) It allows people to:

• Build healthier relationships
• Make wiser decisions
• Achieve personal and professional growth
• Work on leadership development

If you’re good at empathizing with others, communicating, and handling tough situations, you might make a great emotional intelligence coach. 

An emotional intelligence coach helps clients through self-discovery by:

• Evaluating their client’s current level of emotional intelligence: Coaches can use assessment tools like questionnaires or interviews to figure out areas that need improvement.
• Setting goals for growth: Coaches work with clients to set goals for improving their emotional skills.
• Crafting personalized strategies: Coaches create action plans to help clients reach their goals based on what the client needs and wants.
• Motivating progress: Coaches provide support, encouragement, and accountability throughout the journey towards improved emotional well-being through regular check-ins and feedback sessions.

Effective emotional intelligence coaches have some distinctive qualities that set them apart from other coaching professionals. 

Here are just a few of the traits to check for if you want to achieve professional success as a coach in this niche:

• Empathy: Coaches with high emotional intelligence are great at understanding and resonating with the emotions of others. They can put themselves in their client’s shoes to foster trust.
• Self-Awareness: These coaches possess a high level of self-awareness. This allows them to recognize and manage their own emotions effectively as well as understand emotional intelligence in others. This self-awareness is crucial for modeling emotional intelligence to clients.
• Active Listening: Emotional intelligence coaches are exceptional listeners. They go beyond hearing words by tuning into the emotional nuances of what clients express. Then, they respond thoughtfully to those emotions.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Given the diverse ways emotions are expressed across cultures, these coaches need to display cultural sensitivity. They recognize and navigate the impact of cultural differences on emotional expression and understanding.
• Conflict Resolution: Emotional intelligence coaches are great at navigating conflicts by understanding the emotions involved. They guide clients through resolving conflicts with emotional intelligence and build healthy relationships.

It’s a good idea to develop skills like emotional regulation, relationship management, and other practical skills if you don’t have them already.

Pro tip: With or without a certification, you’ll need a great tool if you want to run your coaching business without burning out. Try Paperbell for free to launch a streamlined coaching business hassle-free.

Do You Need Qualifications to Become an Emotional Intelligence Coach?

Although there are no legal requirements for coaching in general, having relevant qualifications can make you more credible and effective in your coaching niche. This will go a long way in your professional development.

Being a certified coach positions you as an expert specializing in the problems of your future clients.

Consider that being naturally great at navigating your own emotions isn’t the same as coaching someone through theirs. Even though you may have a high level of EQ and empathy, coaching also takes familiarity with certain frameworks and coaching tools to conduct impactful sessions and help clients apply emotional intelligence at their own pace.

Later in this post, we’ll cover the best accredited coaching programs you can take to get certified in this field.

How to Become an Emotional Intelligence Coach

1. Choose a Coaching Niche Related to Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a coaching niche in and of itself. However, several other specializations are closely related to this area. For example:

• Emotional Wellness Coaching
• Relationship Coaching
• Mindfulness Coaching
• Communication Coaching

A general emotional intelligence life coach can work with just about anyone. But while that sounds great in theory, it’s not a great idea in practice.

For example, let’s say your dream client is a mother of adult children who wants to reconnect with those children. Instead of working with everyone, you can tailor your messaging to attract that exact type of person.

This way, you can carve out a portion of the coaching industry as your own.

Other clients that could be your target audience in this niche are:

• A high-level executive struggling to learn effective leadership to connect with their team members and foster a positive work environment
• Recently married couples looking to enhance their emotional intelligence to navigate the early stages of marriage and build strong relationships 
• A teenager experiencing bullying at school seeking emotional intelligence coaching to handle the situation better and build resilience.
• A widow navigating the emotional complexities of grief and loss, seeking guidance to process emotions and find ways to move forward
• A college student feeling overwhelmed by the demands of academics and personal life, seeking emotional intelligence coaching for better balance and stress management.

Here’s an example of a real-life coach working with emotional intelligence. Frederick Sanders, Ph.D., MCC, helps high-performing men of color awaken to their divine, authoritative power so they can generate their “next level” with intention, integrity, and vision:

Notice how this niche automatically disqualifies the majority of potential clients. However, his ideal client — high-performing men of color — will directly feel called to work with him.

The more you niche down, the smaller the pool of potential clients — but the more compelling you become to these exact people.

2. Create Offers and Coaching Packages

Having a clear niche will make creating your offers infinitely easier when you develop your coaching packages.

A coaching package describes everything a client gets when they buy from you. Instead of buying individual sessions, they pay for a “package” of sessions and other valuable add-ons.

Here’s the best way to establish what to include in a package:

• Start by writing a detailed description of your target audience, the problems they face, and the primary personal goals they have in mind
• Specify what coaching services you offer to this audience (and how they help them with their emotional intelligence)
• Determine the format of coaching (one-on-one, group coaching, digital course, membership, etc.)
• Choose a pricing structure (pay in full, payment plans, or recurring subscriptions)
• Brainstorm any additional coaching tools or coaching exercises you want to include (such as a feelings wheel)

Some examples of deliverables you can include in an emotional intelligence coaching package include:

• A set number of coaching sessions delivered over a specific time period (weeks or months)
• Voxer support in between sessions
• Workbooks with emotional intelligence exercises
• In-person retreats
• Self-paced video content to watch in between sessions
• Group coaching sessions

But what about the coaching offer? 

Your offer shouldn’t focus on describing what’s included in your coaching package. Instead, it should sum up the promise or desired outcome clients can get when purchasing that package.

Consider this: What good will 12 one-on-one coaching sessions do if they can’t help your clients improve their EQ and get closer to their personal goals?

That’s why the package isn’t everything. Think of how you can make that package a more attractive offer by explaining your client’s transformation — the outcome they will receive by completing their coaching journey. 

3. Land Your First Client

Finding your first client may seem tough, but everyone must start somewhere!

Seek referrals from friends, family members, or colleagues to clients who can benefit from improving their EQ skills.

You can offer a few free sessions at the beginning to test out your process and gain more experience. Just make sure you’re transparent about what you offer (and don’t offer) and treat these sessions exactly the same way as paid ones. 

Once you have some confidence, start offering your services for a fee to build a client base. 

You can also use initial complimentary sessions to let potential clients experience what it’s like working with you. 

For instance, you could offer a free 30-minute consultation to:

• Assess a person’s emotional intelligence
• Suggest ways to improve it
• Offer a more in-depth program with additional sessions for a fee

Last but not least, you can create limited-time offers for free trials of your services. 

For example, you can offer a free or discounted session for the first few clients who sign up. 

This can be a good way to expand client relationships, build more confidence in your practice, and create potential new referrals. 

Free trials and discounted rates allow prospects to experience your services without making a large financial commitment immediately. If they’re impressed with the initial results and enjoy your leadership style, they have the potential to become paying clients.

4. Start Marketing Your Emotional Intelligence Coaching Business

After your first client or two, you’ll have what it takes to scale your emotional intelligence coaching business to the next level.

But what got you here won’t necessarily be scalable. That’s why you should create a marketing plan that fits your coaching business goals.

For example, let’s say you can get one or two new coaching clients per quarter via word-of-mouth. If you have goals to onboard a new client each week, you’ll need a different approach!

Keep in mind that there’s more than one way to implement marketing for your emotional coaching business. What worked for another coach won’t necessarily work for you.

For example, don’t force yourself to publish a long-form blog post daily if you hate writing. Hire someone to write for you or focus on your strengths instead. This could be starting a podcast or speaking at an event.

Here are a few marketing strategies you can use to find new clients:

• Start a blog: Write about topics your ideal audience will search for. Your blog can become a source of trusted information and grow your brand. You can drive traffic to it through SEO strategies or Pinterest.
• Become a LinkedIn expert: You can get coaching clients on LinkedIn by posting and engaging with your ideal clients. This is especially true if you help career-driven people with their emotional intelligence.
• Make TikTok videos: Are reels your jam? You can get leads from TikTok if you enjoy sharing information through short and snappy videos. 
• Grow your Instagram following: Not a fan of LinkedIn or TikTok? Instagram is another great social media platform that emotional intelligence coaches can use to build a following of potential clients. 
• Run Facebook ads: This costs money, but it can help you reach a larger audience quickly. Work on your copy first, and A/B test some variations to reduce your advertising costs.
• Launch a coaching newsletter: Whether you’re building an audience from your blog, social media, or elsewhere, you can funnel those leads into your emotional intelligence coaching newsletter. Not sure how to grow your list? Here are 10 lead magnet ideas to help you attract more subscribers.
• Become a guest on other people’s podcasts: This is ideal for coaches who don’t yet have an audience of their own. You get access to other people’s audience while sharing your own expertise – it’s a win-win!

Remember not to burn yourself out by trying all of these marketing strategies at once. Start with one, become great at it, validate your offers, and go from there.

How to Get Your Emotional Intelligence Certification

You can start an emotional intelligence coaching business without a certification. However, a certification backed by a reputable organization like the International Coaching Federation (ICF) will give you an extra edge.

Here’s how you can get your emotional intelligence certification through ICF.

Research ICF-Accredited Programs

The first step towards becoming a certified emotional intelligence coach is researching ICF-accredited programs. 

All of these programs meet rigorous standards set by the ICF, so you can be confident you’re receiving quality training that aligns with current industry best practices.

Not sure where to start? We’ve gathered some of the best life coaching certification programs well-suited for emotional intelligence coaching and much more.

Select a Program That Fits Your Needs

There are plenty of ICF-accredited programs out there with different levels of certifications and specializations. Choose ICF-accredited emotional intelligence life coach training that fits the credential you prefer, namely:

• ACC (Associate Certified Coach): Costs $325 for non-members
• PCC (Professional Certified Coach): Costs $800 for non-members
• MCC (Master Certified Coach): Costs $825 for non-members

Emotional intelligence coaching will be a part of nearly all programs, so you won’t necessarily find one that solely focuses on this area. However, read the syllabus carefully to see if it takes up a big portion of the curriculum. We’ll cover more details about each certification in a later section.

Here are a few examples of programs you can consider taking:

• Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) ($9,995): The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) is a well-known certified life coach institute. The best thing about this program is that they run tons of in-person events that inspire and energize coaches. The program includes almost 160 ICF-accredited hours of formal training, role-play, and writing exercises.
• Coach U (Price available upon appointment): At Coach U, you’ll go through 77 hours of professional coaching training. It’ll take at least 15 months to go through this program. However, it’s self-paced, so you can easily adapt it to your lifestyle.
• CoActive Training Institute ($14,500): CoActive has been running its coaching training for over 20 years! So you can’t go wrong with this option. It’ll take 10-12 months to complete, starting with 3 intensive days of foundation.
• Coach Training Alliance ($4,339): If you want to emphasize the business side of emotional intelligence coaching, Coach Training Alliance’s program is for you. With this education, you’ll be able to market your business later on.
• The Certified Life Coach Institute ($1,295.00): An ICF-certified coach training program that only takes 3 days? Sign me up! Although the Certified Life Coach Institute is not as comprehensive as other programs on this list, it’s a great option to dip your toes in emotional intelligence coaching before making a bigger investment.

These are only five options, but the ICF also offers an Education Search Service to help you find the ideal program for you.

Complete Your Training

Once enrolled in an accredited program, finish all the required courses and practical experience hours outlined by your chosen program. This may include:

• Attending workshops
• Participating in webinars
• Working directly with clients under supervision
• Attending in-person events

Earn Required Coaching Hours

You need to have coached a certain number of clients for a certain amount of hours to apply for an ICF credential at any level – ACC, PCC, or MCC.

Below is an explanation of what you’ll need for each of the credentials:

• Associate Certified Coach (ACC) – You must complete 60 hours of coach-specific education plus 100 hours of client coaching experience
• Professional Certified Coach (PCC) – You must complete 125 hours of coach-specific education plus 500 hours of client coaching experience.
• Master Certified Coach (MCC) – You must already have your PCC Credential, complete 200 hours of coach-specific education, and accumulate 2,500 hours of client coaching experience.

If you’re aiming for your PCC, keep in mind that it’ll take you much longer to accumulate and document 500 hours of coaching.

You always have the option to get started with 100 hours and apply for ACC accreditation. Later on, when you have more experience, you can apply for the PCC or MCC level.

Remember to keep track of your coaching hours throughout your training so you can submit them when you apply for certification. You can use Paperbell to track your ICF coaching logs more easily.

To do this, make sure to schedule your coaching sessions using Paperbell. Then, all you need to do is select the ICF Client Coaching Log inside the app.

Paperbell will display how many clients, total hours, total paid hours, and how many hours in the last 24 months you’ve had. 

Just click Export CSV to generate your log.

Become Familiar With Core Competencies

The ICF Core Competencies are essential skills that every certified coach should have.

For instance, the ICF Core Competency of ‘Establishing the Coaching Agreement’ requires coaches to clearly define the scope and goals of the coaching relationship with their clients. 

You’ll need to show that you’re competent in these areas to pass the certification process. So, you should get to know them now. They’ll serve you for the rest of your coaching career!

Pass the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA)

The CKA online exam tests your understanding of coaching principles and ethics. 

You need to pass this assessment to get your ICF credential.

Make sure you study and take practice tests before taking the official assessment. If you don’t feel confident about passing the exam, it’s better to put in more practice so you don’t have to retake it.

Submit Your Application

Once you’ve finished all requirements, it’s time to submit your application for certification with all documentation (i.e., your proof of training completion and client-coaching hours).

Paperwork isn’t our favorite part of coaching either, but it will all be worth it when you see the difference your coaching makes in people’s lives. 

Here’s the silver lining: If you follow these steps and get your emotional intelligence certification from ICF, you can help clients develop their emotional intelligence skills while building a business you love.

Frequently Asked Questions About Emotional Intelligence Certifications

How Do I Become an Emotional Intelligence Expert?

To become an emotional intelligence expert, start by gaining foundational knowledge through books or online resources. Attend workshops or seminars on emotional intelligence and pursue relevant certifications. Consider additional training, such as coaching or mentoring programs.

What Are the 5 Domains of Emotional Intelligence?

The five domains of emotional intelligence, as proposed by Daniel Goleman, are knowing one’s own emotions (self-awareness), managing emotions (self-regulation), motivating oneself (self-motivation), recognizing others’ emotions (empathy), and handling relationships effectively (social skills).

What Is an Emotion Coach? Is It Different From EQ Coaching?

Professionals who call themselves emotional life coaches usually work with children to teach them how to navigate their emotions at an early age. EQ coaches are more known for working with adults. In this sense, their work is usually more tailored to the challenges grown-ups face.

How Much Do Emotional Intelligence Coaches Make?

The average emotional intelligence coach salary in the US is $48,790 per year. However, it doesn’t necessarily reflect how much you’ll make. Your earnings are influenced by your years of experience, your personal brand, and your location.

Launch Your Coaching Career With an Emotional Intelligence Certification

Becoming an EI coach is a great way to help people achieve both personal and professional success.

You can achieve your ICF certification quickly with the right knowledge, dedication, and commitment.

This type of coaching requires patience, understanding, and empathy – skills you’ll need to get your emotional intelligence certification.

Need help streamlining the admin side of your coaching business? With Paperbell, running a coaching business online has never been easier! Try it for yourself by claiming your free account.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2023 and has since been updated for accuracy.