How ICF Mentorship Works

And Why It’s the Key to Becoming a Confident,

Certified Coach

Becoming an ICF-certified coach isn’t just a credential—it’s a professional turning point. It opens the door to more clients, more credibility, and more confidence in your coaching. It’s the gold standard for a reason.

But here’s the truth most people don’t talk about: getting there isn’t always clear. The ICF website isn’t very easy to navigate - and the process takes MONTHS to complete (if not years!).

That’s where mentor coaching comes in.

If you’ve been Googling “ICF mentor coach Canada” trying to figure out how to actually get certified, this post is for you. I’m Justine—PCC-certified coach, mentor, and someone who’s walked dozens of coaches through this exact process.

Let’s go through what ICF mentorship really looks like, why it’s required, and how it can transform your coaching (and your business!) - for good.

What is icf Mentor Coaching, Really?

In simple terms, ICF mentor coaching is when you work with a certified coach (hi, that’s me!) who helps you grow your skills, sharpen your presence, and meet the ICF’s Core Competencies. But in practice? It’s so much more than that.

You bring your real-life coaching sessions. We listen, reflect, celebrate what’s working, and dig into what could go deeper. We work together over a minimum of 3 months (ICF requires 10 hours, with at least 3 being 1:1). And instead of guessing what the ICF assessors are looking for, you get direct, compassionate, personalized feedback you can actually use.

Why Does Mentor Coaching Matter for ICF Certification?

Because mastering coaching is different from just logging hours.

Mentor coaching bridges the gap between where you are now and the confident, capable coach you're becoming. It’s where the dots connect—your style, your presence, your skill, your values—and you start to feel like a professional coach, not just someone trying to get through requirements. We learn how to coach in our certification programs - but applying the approaches and systems, and truly making them our own takes a lot of practice.

And because you’re working with someone who’s been through it (and helped others through it), you get a huge head start. One of my favorite parts of mentor coaching is seeing what a coach’s super power is…and helping them lean into that to make their coaching unique and impactful.

Real Results From Real Coaches

Let’s talk about what this actually looks like for some of the coaches I’ve worked with.

L: Doubling Her Clients and Launching a New Group Program

L came to me knowing she wanted to get her ICF credential—but she left with so much more.

In the time we worked together, she:

  • Doubled her client base compared to last year

  • Raised her rates with confidence

  • Launched a brand new support group for partners of people with ADHD

  • Got featured in a national ADHD organization’s newsletter

Oh—and she started expanding into the Brazilian market with thoughtful, ethical pricing options. We talked through how to navigate cultural differences, build in sliding scale rates, and still own the value of her work.

M: Finding Her Voice (and Launching Her Program)

When we started, M had the coaching skills—but was holding back from fully owning her message.

Through our mentor coaching sessions, she:

  • Got crystal clear on her niche and language

  • Built and launched her first signature program

  • Showed up with way more confidence in her marketing and consult calls

She told me it felt like she was finally coaching from a place of purpose, not just hoping she was doing it right.

B: Creating Offers That Felt Aligned

B was struggling with how to price and package her services for an international audience. We brainstormed, practiced her discovery calls, and got creative.

As a result, she:

  • Introduced sliding scale pricing that reflected her values

  • Attracted higher-paying clients

  • Felt more grounded and confident in how she spoke about her work

What You Can Expect from Working with Me

  • Tailored feedback on real coaching sessions

  • A deep dive into the ICF Core Competencies (without the jargon)

  • Support navigating ACC or PCC requirements

  • Clear next steps, every time we meet

  • A partnership that’s focused on you—your growth, your style, and your goals

My approach is warm, honest, and practical. I don’t believe in making this process more complicated than it needs to be. But I do believe in helping you get certified in a way that feels authentic, empowering, and doable, so you can attract those aligned clients and grow your business and impact!

Let’s See if We’re a Good Fit

If you're ready to take the next step toward ICF certification—and you want a mentor who will walk beside you with heart and honesty—I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Click here to submit an application. It’s quick, informal, and gives us both a sense of whether we’d work well together. I’ll review your application, and if I think you’re a good fit for the type of coaching I do - I’ll reach out so we can talk about next steps before you make any commitments.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Let’s get you certified and feeling like the coach you’re meant to be.

Justine Cochrane