How to Become a Certified Somatic Coach
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Curious about bringing somatic work into your business? Here’s what you need to know…
What is a Somatic Coach?
A somatic coach is a professional that uses a body-centered approach to personal development. This form of coaching emphasizes the connection between the mind and the body, recognizing that physical sensations, movement, posture, and bodily experiences can significantly influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
The Impact of Somatic Coaching for Clients
Somatic coaching can significantly improve client results and often, within a short period of time. This is because somatic work helps clients to ground and increase bodily and self-awareness, helping them to access the root cause of stress, negative emotions and trauma more easily.
As a somatic coach, you will help clients to release the stored stress and emotions within their body and find more clarity in the present moment. Once in the present, they can begin to build their tool-box of somatic tools and techniques to increase nervous system resiliency and begin going after their goals more proactively.
Types of Somatic Coaching
There are many forms of somatic coaching. Most commonly you will find that breathwork, visualization, and mindfulness techniques are all used by somatic coaches. Coaches may utilize just one or a combination of these.
“The NEUROFIT certification was the perfect next step for me as it explained the science behind why the exercises are so powerful and how to easily incorporate nervous system fitness into my coaching practice to support my clients in making lasting transformational shifts.” - Rosey, Business Coach
The Role of Somatic Exercises in Somatic Coaching
Somatic exercises are a key component of somatic coaching. These are targeted exercises aimed at releasing tension from the body. Somatic exercises promote a sense of safety and relaxation, and allow your nervous system to operate at its most optimal level.
When deciding to become a certified somatic coach, you will want to be sure that the certification program includes:
Training and access to somatic exercises to share with clients;
Facilitator training to ensure that you are comfortable facilitating for your clients in a 1:1 setting or as a group workshop;
A data and/or evidence-based approach that is both safe and effective; and
Ongoing support and training.
How Do I Become a Certified Somatic Coach?
There are plenty of certification programs to choose from if you want to become a somatic coach, but how do you know which one is right for you?
We recommend asking yourself what your primary goal is for becoming a somatic coach…
Do you want to simply add in a few elements of somatic work to your existing business or are you looking to solely launch a somatic coaching offer?
Do you want to focus on just stress management or dig a bit deeper into trauma-informed work with clients?
How often do you want to work with clients and what support will they need between sessions?
These are just a few questions to ask yourself while researching certification programs and once you know your primary goal, you can ensure that program has the right foundation for what you need.
How long does it take to become a Somatic Coach?
Again, the time it takes to become a certified coach will vary depending on which certification program you choose. There are programs that take a few months all the way up to a few years to complete.
At NEUROFIT, we’ve taken the time to explore all of the different elements and components of becoming a highly successful somatic and nervous system coach and packaged it into a training program that can be completed in as little as a few days. On average, our certified coaches complete the training within just a few weeks.
“Completing the NEUROFIT certification, alongside using the app for several months, has been a profoundly transformative experience for me. Of all the certifications and continuing education I’ve done, this one was not only the most impactful, but also delivered in the simplest way.” - Ashley, Personal Trainer
What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Somatic Coach?
The most important qualification you need to become a somatic coach is compassion and the ability to hold space for clients as they work through their stress and emotions. Learning somatic exercises, balance tools, and key somatic approaches to support your clients doesn’t need a fancy degree or years of training and experience (unless you want it to).
Become a Certified Somatic Coach with NEUROFIT
Becoming a NEUROFIT Certified Coach allows you to facilitate client breakthroughs with somatic exercises, in a trauma-informed manner. You’ll be equipped with industry-leading nervous system training and technology to support your clients during and after each session.
NEUROFIT is designed to work from the ‘bottom-up’ validated by the most current neuroscience research and thousands of sessions within the NEUROFIT App. Once certified, you’ll gain access to a client dashboard that helps track client HRV readings and daily Balance Scores between sessions along with a full somatic exercise manual and Facilitator Manual to give you the tools and confidence you need to reach superior client results.
For more information on becoming a NEUROFIT Certified Coach, check out our website and testimonials HERE.