The Institute of Positive Psychology Coaching (IPPC) offers advanced applied positive psychology coaching training. Accredited by the ICF, this comprehensive certification leads to a Certified Applied Positive Psychology Coach (CAPPC) designation.
Let’s explore how the IPPC certification was created and some reviews from alumni on their experience.
What Is The Institute of Positive Psychology Coaching?
The Institute of Positive Psychology Coaching (IPPC) is a global coaching certification provider that offers ICF-accredited training. It’s a program that uniquely integrates positive psychology and coaching psychology.
This innovative approach is especially suited for leadership coaches seeking advanced evidence-based training and business development. IPPC describes itself as the first fully virtual global institute dedicated to applied positive psychology coaching. Its Level 1 and Level 2 programs add up to 129.5 training hours, or up to 169.5 hours if you also need its Coaching Essentials course first.
Graduates of the IPPC earn a Certified Applied Positive Psychology Coach (CAPPC) designation, positioning themselves at the forefront of this emerging field. They will be equipped with the core competencies to enhance their coaching clients’ well-being, potential, and performance.
Who is the Founder of IPPC?
The Institute of Positive Psychology Coaching (IPPC) was founded by Meriflor Toneatto, an award-winning executive and master coach with over 28 years of experience in leadership, coaching, mentoring and business. Drawing on her work transforming lives through evidence-based positive psychology coaching, she established IPPC to share that expertise with other professionals.
Meriflor holds an M.Sc. in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology and is a doctoral candidate in Positive Psychology and Leadership Wellbeing. She’s also an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) and an Adler Certified Professional Coach (ACPC).
Under Meriflor’s leadership, IPPC aims to empower leadership coaches globally with scientific knowledge, skills, and advanced evidence-based training.
The Structure of the Positive Psychology Coaching Certification at IPPC
The Certified Applied Positive Psychology Coaching (CAPPC) program has two levels: a Level 1 Certificate (82.5 training hours) and a Level 2 Diploma (47 training hours). If you’re new to coaching, there’s also a 40-hour Coaching Essentials prerequisite, which brings the full pathway to up to 169.5 training hours. Both levels lead toward ICF credentials: Level 1 to the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Level 2 to the Professional Certified Coach (PCC).
Level 1 takes around 4-6 months and Level 2 runs over 6 months. IPPC says the full program typically takes 10 to 14 months.
Level 1: The Applied Positive Psychology Coaching Certificate
Level 1 consists of five core modules delivered through flexible, self-paced online learning:
- The Science of Wellbeing
- Foundations in Positive Psychology Coaching
- Positive Psychology Coaching for Positive Leadership
- Positive Psychology Coaching and the Strengths-Based Approach
- Positive Psychology Coaching for Enhancing Resilience
The courses are self-paced recordings, backed by live support and individual mentor coaching, with practical feedback from IPPC’s assessors. Level 1 carries 82.5 training hours (59.5 in ICF core competencies and 23 in resource development) and makes you eligible to apply for the ICF ACC credential.
Level 2: Applied Positive Psychology Coaching Diploma
Level 2, which IPPC calls the Evidence-Based Practicum, requires the Level 1 Certificate, plus the Coaching Essentials course if you’re new to coaching.
It includes:
- Live virtual training via Zoom, with recordings
- Practice sessions and individual mentor coaching
- 20 hours of coaching with your own clients
- Business development training
Level 2 carries 47 training hours (37.5 in ICF core competencies and 9.5 in resource development). Graduates earn the Certified Applied Positive Psychology Coach (CAPPC) designation and can apply for the ICF PCC credential.
Both levels are taught by faculty with an average of 15 years of practical experience as coaches, researchers and practitioners. Level 2 graduates are also listed in the IPPC Alumni Directory.
How Much Does Certification at IPPC Cost?
As of October 2026, IPPC’s program pages list these fees:
- USD 4,000 for Level 1 on its own, or USD 5,000 including the ICF ACC credential performance evaluation
- USD 7,000 for Level 2, including the ICF performance evaluation for the PCC credential
Payment plans are available for both levels. According to IPPC’s refund policy, you can get a 50% refund if you withdraw within 15 days of starting. After 15 days, no refunds are available.
Fees have changed over time, so we suggest you get in touch with IPPC’s team to confirm the current price before you apply.
Real Reviews from Coaches
Since IPPC is a fairly young institution, there aren’t many independent reviews written by its trainees that are available publicly. However, we’ve gathered some testimonials from alums to give you an idea of what you can expect from this program.
Please note that we haven’t taken this particular certification ourselves. If you’re looking for direct reviews from program participants, we suggest you reach out to the faculty to get referred to graduate coaches.
Integrative Curriculum
Petra Walker, a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, has arrived with some impressive credentials for the IPPC program. She realized that even though she had vast knowledge of positive psychology and coaching, this certification has helped her bridge some gaps in her knowledge.
“When I first heard of the IPPC diploma in Positive Psychology Coaching, I didn’t think it would add to my knowledge, but I was curious, so I channeled my love of learning into the first program.
I realized that although I already had both the positive psychology and coaching psychology knowledge, actually applying it coherently was something I could improve on. Starting (and finishing) this program has helped me fill that gap in my coaching practice.”
Competitive Knowledge for Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Katia Bartels is a Senior IT Global Leader and a leadership well-being coach. She found the IPPC program valuable for both self-coaching and expanding her methodology as a coaching professional.
“My goal in enrolling in the program was to learn how to help others, but in the process, I also learned how to apply the learnings to my own challenges to grow as a person, leader and coach.
What is so great about Positive Psychology Coaching is that a coach can rely upon all techniques, frameworks, and evidence-based approaches from multiple studies and research.
This helped me build my coaching skills further, and I gained the confidence to apply the acquired skills successfully in my coaching conversations and practice.”
Additionally, the program helped her develop the business side of her coaching practice.
Unique Coaching Methodology
Jason Roncoroni is the Founder of Ordinary Hero Coaching. He’s taken other similar courses and felt that IPPC provides something unique in the industry.
“The IPPC program was inspirational for me because it satisfied my hunger for learning about the deeper science behind leadership, performance, and coaching. Through this program, I was exposed to resources that I previously didn’t know existed within the field of coaching or coaching psychology.”
Beyond learning coaching methodologies, the certification also inspired his new career mission.
Conclusion
The IPPC offers a unique combination of positive psychology and coaching psychology training as a part of their certification. Although the institution is only a few years old, the alumni have had positive experiences, and the program offers many benefits, including ICF credentials.
The IPPC certification can be a worthwhile investment for leadership coaches who want to further their education with competitive, ICF-accredited training programs.
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