Certification Program Policies

Securing your seat

Cohorts are kept small on purpose, so seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Your seat is confirmed once your payment, or the first payment of your payment plan, is received.

Tuition

• Healing Centered Life Coaching Certification Program (People of Color Cohort and Black Women Cohort): $4,999 founding-year tuition. Regular tuition is $5,999.
• Healing Centered Group Coaching Certification: $3,999 founding-cohort tuition. Regular tuition is $4,999.

Tuition covers all live classes, self-guided lessons, Practice Studio sessions, mentor coaching, program materials, the final evaluation, and the certificate of completion. There are no separate registration, materials, or evaluation fees. The only other fees are the class extension and short-notice rescheduling fees described in these policies.

Ways to pay

• Paid in full before the first class.
• Five-payment plan: five equal payments ($1,000 for the Life Coaching Certification Program; $800 for the Group Coaching Certification). The first payment is due at enrollment and holds your seat, and the remaining payments are due monthly. All payments must be received by the final date in your payment plan, before the program ends.
• Employer or third-party payment: an invoice can be sent to your organization or sponsor. You remain responsible for any balance a sponsor does not pay.

Accepted payment methods

Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted through a secure merchant account; payment links can be sent on request. Checks are also accepted; email admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com for the mailing address. All payments are in U.S. dollars (USD).

Late or missed payments

If a payment is late, the administrative team will reach out with a reminder. If a payment is more than 30 days late, access to live classes may be paused until your account is current. Certificates of completion are issued only when tuition is paid in full.

Questions

For help with payments, payment plans, or invoices, email admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com.

Credit for Level 1 hours completed elsewhere

If you have completed part of an ICF Level 1 program at another organization, those completed training hours may be applied toward an Institute program. To request credit, send the following to admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com:

• The name of the organization and program
• The number of hours you completed
• Your certificate or record of completed hours
• Contact information for the organization or trainer

You may be asked for additional details or documentation. Transferred hours count toward your total, and you will still learn and be evaluated on the Healing Centered Coaching® model.

Transferring between cohorts

Before your cohort begins, you may move once to another cohort of the same program, such as from the People of Color Cohort to the Black Women Cohort, when space is available. There is no fee for one transfer.

Records of your hours

On request, the Institute will provide a written record of the training and mentor coaching hours you have completed, for use with the International Coaching Federation or other organizations.

These terms take effect when you register. Send any cancellation in writing to admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com; refunds are based on the date your request is received.

If you cancel before the program begins

• 30 or more days before the first class: a refund of tuition paid, less a $500 processing fee.
• 14 to 29 days before the first class: a refund of 50% of tuition, less a $500 processing fee.
• 13 days or fewer before the first class: no refund. By this point, your seat, materials, and faculty time have been committed and cannot be recovered.

Substitutions

Before the program begins, you may ask to have someone else take your place at no charge. The substitute must be approved by the Institute and meet the program's enrollment requirements. Refunds do not apply to substitutions or transfers.

No-shows and withdrawals

Students who do not attend without notice will not receive a refund and may not transfer to another cohort. Once the program begins, tuition is not refunded for withdrawals for any reason. Students facing a serious illness or emergency should see the Illness and Emergency Leave Policy.

If the Institute cancels a cohort

If the Institute cancels a cohort, for example because too few students enroll, you may choose a full refund of all tuition paid, with no processing fee, or a transfer to another cohort.

How refunds are paid

Approved refunds are issued to the original form of payment within 30 days.

The Institute is committed to treating every person fairly and to resolving concerns in a timely, respectful way. You have the right to raise a concern about class content or presentation, the learning environment, or the conduct of an instructor, mentor coach, staff member, or fellow student. You will not be treated differently for raising a concern in good faith.

Step 1: Talk directly, if you feel comfortable

When possible, start by talking with the instructor, staff member, or student involved. If you are not comfortable doing so, or the conversation does not resolve the concern, go to Step 2.

Step 2: Submit a written grievance

Email a written grievance to admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com within 7 days of the issue. Include what happened, when, and the outcome you are hoping for. The administrative team will contact you within 7 days of receiving it and will work with everyone involved to resolve the concern.

Step 3: Ask the Founder to review

If you feel the concern is still unresolved, you may send a written request for review to Leslie Avant-Brown, Founder, at admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com with "Grievance Review" in the subject line. You will receive confirmation within 72 hours and a written decision after the review. If your concern is about Leslie, it will be reviewed by an independent, credentialed coach who is not affiliated with the Institute.

Outside resources

If your concern involves a possible breach of the ICF Code of Ethics by an ICF member or credential holder, you may also contact the International Coaching Federation directly.

Confidentiality and records

Grievances are shared only with those who need to know to resolve them and are kept on file for 3 years.

Rest and care are part of this work. If you become ill or have an emergency, take care of yourself first, then let the Institute know as soon as you can at admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com.

Why attendance matters

Every class counts toward the training hours required for your certificate and for ICF credentialing, so plan to attend every class whenever possible.

Making up a missed class

To make up a missed class, you will:

• Complete the class materials
• Watch the class recording
• Complete a make-up coaching session outside of class

You may miss and make up as many as 15 class hours, about five classes, and still complete the program. If you miss more than 15 hours, you will need to re-enroll and pay an additional fee to complete those classes with a future cohort.

Class extensions

If an unforeseen circumstance keeps you from finishing on time, you may request an extension. Extensions are approved case by case and give you up to 60 days after your cohort's last class to complete missing hours and requirements. Approved extensions include a $250 fee for the additional faculty and administrative support.

Emergency leave

If a serious illness, accident, or other emergency means you need to leave the program, or miss more than 15 class hours, you may be considered for re-enrollment in a future cohort. Please share a note from a medical provider or other supporting documentation; it does not need to include your diagnosis. Work schedules, vacations, and other personal plans do not qualify for emergency leave.

In-person sessions

For any in-person class, circle, or training, please stay home if you have symptoms of a contagious illness. You will be offered a make-up option.

The Healing Centered Life Coaching Institute exists to make coaching and coach training more accessible to the communities that have been left out of it. Its programs are designed for and centered on leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs of color, and they honor culture, history, and community as sources of wisdom.

Nondiscrimination

• Faculty, mentor coaches, and staff are recruited and engaged without discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, creed, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
• No student, applicant, or team member will be discriminated against on any of these bases.
• Everyone who shares the program's purpose is welcome to apply and participate.

A space free of harassment

Every student, faculty member, and participant deserves to learn in a space free of discrimination and harassment. The Institute does not tolerate conduct by anyone, including students, faculty, contractors, volunteers, guests, or vendors, that interferes with another person's ability to learn and belong.

Disability and accommodations

Students with disabilities, or who need other accommodations to participate fully, are encouraged to email admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com before the program begins or whenever a need arises. Accommodations may include captioning, extra time, adjusted materials, or alternate formats. Requests are kept confidential.

Reporting a concern

To report discrimination or harassment, follow the Complaint and Grievance Policy. The Institute will review every report promptly and take appropriate action.

The ICF Code of Ethics

The Institute follows and teaches the ICF Code of Ethics, which describes the core values, ethical principles, and standards of behavior for all ICF professionals. Demonstrating ethical practice is the first of the ICF Core Competencies, and it is woven into every class. The Institute's founder and lead faculty, Leslie Avant-Brown, holds the ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential.

Integrity and transparency

The Institute holds itself and its students to the highest standard of integrity and states openly how its programs are run. That includes describing program hours, tuition, and accreditation status accurately. The Healing Centered Life Coaching Certification Program and the Group Coaching Certification are pending ICF Level 1 accreditation, and they will be described as ICF accredited only after the International Coaching Federation approves them.

Fair and accessible pricing

Tuition is set to be fair and equitable, with payment plans and founding-year rates, so that cost is less of a barrier to quality coach education.

Confidentiality and fair evaluation

What students share in class and mentor coaching stays confidential, except when disclosure is required by law or someone's safety is at risk. Faculty disclose any relationship that could affect a fair evaluation, and evaluations use published criteria based on the ICF Core Competencies and the Healing Centered Coaching® model.

An electronic copy of this agreement will be provided at enrollment. By enrolling, you confirm that you have reviewed and accept these policies and completion requirements.

About the program

Healing Centered Life Coaching Institute certification programs are intensive coach training programs that equip students to coach and facilitate with the Healing Centered Coaching® model, created by Leslie Avant-Brown. The curriculum immerses students in an interactive learning community, and the programs are pending ICF Level 1 accreditation. The sections below outline what is needed to complete the program successfully.

Ethics, integrity, and transparency

The Institute follows and teaches the ICF Code of Ethics and holds itself and its students to the highest standard of integrity. See the Statement on Ethics, Integrity, and Transparency.

Enrolling in the program

Your seat is confirmed once payment is received. Tuition may be paid in full before the first class or through the five-payment plan, with all payments received by the final date in your plan. Invoices can be sent for payment by check, employer, or other third party. See the Payment and Fee Policy.

Privacy and confidentiality

As a student, I agree to:

• Engage with classmates, faculty, and staff in a timely, professional, and responsible way, without abusive, discriminatory, sexually explicit, or demeaning language.
• Protect the privacy and anonymity of fellow students in classes, practice sessions, peer groups, and online discussions, and not discuss their behaviors, communications, opinions, or beliefs with anyone without their permission.
• Protect the confidentiality of all program materials, which are protected by U.S. copyright law, and not share, copy, sell, or teach them, or use the Healing Centered Coaching® or Healing Centered Life Coaching names for my own trainings, without written permission from Leslie Avant-Brown.
• Not record any class or session without permission from the Institute, the instructor, and all participants, in keeping with federal and state law.
• Not use AI notetaking bots, transcription tools, or other recording tools in class, so every participant's words stay protected.
• Not share class links, fellow students' contact information, or my access to the online learning library with anyone outside the program.

Refunds, extensions, and leave

Cancellations, substitutions, no-shows, and withdrawals follow the Course Refund and Cancellation Policy. Class extensions and emergency leave follow the Illness and Emergency Leave Policy. Credit for hours completed elsewhere follows the Transfer and Credit Policy, and concerns are handled through the Complaint and Grievance Policy.

Coaching is not therapy

The program invites reflection on your own experiences, but it is not therapy or medical care. You are responsible for your own well-being and for seeking professional support when needed.

Graduation requirements

• Live classes: attend every class whenever possible. You may miss and make up as many as 15 class hours. Missing more than 15 hours means re-enrolling, for an additional fee, to complete those classes with a future cohort. If you know you will miss a class, let the Institute know in advance.
• Self-guided lessons: complete the short video lesson before each class.
• Mentor coaching: complete 10 hours of mentor coaching, 7 group Mentor Circles and 3 one-on-one sessions, to practice and receive feedback on the ICF Core Competencies. You schedule your one-on-one sessions with your mentor coach. Students who repeatedly miss or reschedule with short notice will be charged a $200 rescheduling fee per session.
• Practice coaching: take part in each week's Practice Studio and observed feedback sessions. Practice coaching outside of class is encouraged and can count toward the experience hours required for the ACC, PCC, and MCC credentials as pro bono hours; a log is provided in the online learning library.
• Final competency assessment: pass a recorded coaching session that shows your understanding and use of the Healing Centered Coaching® model and the ICF Core Competencies, with a score of 70% or higher. If you do not pass on the first try, you may retake it.
• Tuition: paid in full.

Ending participation

The Institute may end a student's participation, after a conversation and written notice whenever possible, for reasons including:

• Not following these policies
• Not showing teamwork and respect for others
• Unethical conduct, as defined by the ICF Code of Ethics
• Lack of engagement, including missing more than 15 class hours without making them up
• Disruptive behavior in class, online, or by email
• Breaking the privacy and confidentiality commitments above, including the anonymity of fellow students
• Triangulation, bullying, discrimination, or harassment

Refunds in that case follow the Course Refund and Cancellation Policy.

Questions

For questions about this agreement, email admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com.

Credit for completed hours

If you complete part of a program but not all of it, you may receive credit for the training hours you completed. Credit is based on the hours of class you attended and the lessons and requirements you completed on time.

How to request credit

Email admin@healingcenteredcoaching.com within 14 days after your cohort ends. Include the program and cohort you were enrolled in, the number of hours you are requesting credit for, and any other details that would help. If approved, you will receive a certificate of credit from the Healing Centered Life Coaching Institute listing the training hours you completed.

A certificate of credit is not a certificate of completion

A certificate of credit records partial hours only. It does not show completion of the full program or of an ICF Level 1 program. To finish the full program, see the class extension and emergency leave options in the Illness and Emergency Leave Policy.