I’m officially an Associate Certified Coach (ACC)!

✨🎉 I’m officially an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the ICF! 🎉✨

And I am pausing to celebrate!

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What is an ACC?

The ACC stands for Associate Certified Coach. This is a credential offered through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), which is the largest governing body in the world of coaching.

You may or may not know, but coaching is not a regulated industry. So the ICF set out to define and standardize Values, Ethics, and Best Practices for all coaches. Not all coaches who go through training receive this credential, and not all training programs adhere to the ICF Standards. So what exactly does an ACC mean?

✅ It’s an official credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the global standard for professional coaching.

✅ The ACC requires completion of at least 60 hours of professional coach training accredited by the ICF, coaching clients outside of a training program for at least 100 hours, receiving 10 hours of mentor coaching from a qualified coach, and a passing score on both an oral and written ICF exam.

✅ It means I’ve been trained in coaching ethics, active listening, powerful questioning, and client-centered practices.

✅ It reflects deep commitment - not just to coaching, but to the integrity of this work and the transformational impact it has.

So when you hire a coach who has a credential from the ICF, you are hiring a coach with a “global symbol of excellence, integrity, and commitment to the highest professional standards,”(from the International Coaching Federation website).

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Why does this celebration matter?

This marks the FINAL major milestone I wanted to complete this year.

When I left my corporate role at the beginning of May, the goals I set out to complete in 2025 were:

✅ Decompress and recover from burnout

✅ Move into coaching full time

✅ Complete 100 hours of coaching

✅ Apply for the ICF ACC exam

✅ Launch a podcast

✅ Pass the exam to get my ACC credential

Before becoming immersed in the world of coaching, I would have added a goal to the list every time I completed one. And if I had somehow not added more pressure to myself, I would have finished the exam and immediately thought, “It’s only September. Keep moving forward!”

It would be easy to fall into that mindset, to discredit the journey that brought me here, and avoid spending time with deep gratitude for myself and the hard work I put in. I could tell myself that it wasn’t that hard, that it doesn’t mean much, that I got lucky with the questions given to me in the exam and that’s why I passed, that studying wasn’t challenging enough for the celebration to be worth it, etc.  

And it IS true that final step in this journey was a multiple-choice exam that I prepared for while having the flexibility to build whatever study schedule I wanted over the past month.

But the 120+ hours of coach training, many of the 100+ hours of client coaching, all mentor sessions, and deep inner work needed to be successful at this point was done while holding down a full-time job and performing at a high level.

So, I am slowing down to celebrate both the achievement and the near year and a half journey that got me here.

I talk about this often on my podcast, but taking the time to celebrate your achievements, big and small, before moving onto your next goal is crucial to building inner confidence, recognizing self-worth, and being present. All of these things lead to greater satisfaction and less burnout, two things that I’ve learned are strongly held musts when it comes to my career.

Reflection: I encourage you to think about how amazing the things you’ve accomplished actually are. What are all of the milestones that brought you to that point? How did you directly and indirectly contribute to your success in that moment? What did you learn along the way? What does that growth mean to you?

Thanks for celebrating with me. I did it!! 👏 👏 👏

What Is Coaching, Really?

And is coaching right for me?

If you’re on the internet, you’ve likely heard the word “coaching” get tossed around a lot.

But when not referring to a sports coach, most people don’t really know what coaching is.

Is it fake therapy? Mentorship? Just a consultant giving you all the answers and telling you what to do?

Not quite.

Coaching, when done well, is an accelerant for your evolution.

It’s the space where clarity, strategy, and aligned action collide, and your next level actually becomes inevitable.

Keep reading for the full breakdown so you can decide if now’s the right time to step into coaching!

If you want the TL;DR version, scroll to the bottom of the post for the summary.

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🧠 Coaching Isn’t Just Support: It Rewires Your Brain

Here’s the science behind why coaching works:

Your brain has a built-in filtration system called the Reticular Activating System (RAS).

This system decides what information gets through to your conscious mind and what gets ignored. So when you start focusing on something specific like a goal, a value, or a new identity, your RAS starts filtering the world to match it.

That’s why once you decide you want to lead differently, you suddenly start seeing books, people, ideas, and opportunities that support that growth.

Coaching consistently activates and reinforces this filter. And it goes way beyond focusing on the same positive affirmation over and over again.

By revisiting your intentions and creating aligned strategies week after week, you’re actually rewiring your neural pathways and building new default thoughts, behaviors, and identities.

It’s transformation that’s both deeply personal and neurologically sound.

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🛋 Coaching vs. Therapy: What’s the actual difference?

Therapy often focuses on healing past wounds, processing trauma, and restoring mental wellness. It often explores childhood wounds, relational trauma, and long-standing emotional patterns with the goal of integration and resolution.

Coaching, while not a replacement for therapy, can hold deep emotional exploration especially when it comes to things like identity, leadership blocks, self-worth, and pattern awareness. But it isn’t designed to heal you. It’s designed to move you forward.

Yes, coaches sometimes ask, “Where did this start?” But they aren’t there to stay. Coaches don’t diagnose, they don’t treat, and they don’t help you process trauma.

Instead, coaches identify and challenge your limiting beliefs, help you recognize and interrupt patterns, and guide you to take strategic action that will support your growth.

Coaches do hold space for emotion, because this work can be emotional. But they direct toward clarity, leadership, and next steps.

So think of it this way:

• Therapy holds your past with compassion.

• Coaching activates your future with intention.

They aren’t the same, but they can be deeply complementary.

And if you’re in a season of growth, expansion, or reinvention, coaching might be the exact kind of mirror you need.

Want to learn even more?

Check out this article from the American Psychological Association (APA) to explore whether therapy is right for you.

Check out the International Coaching Federation (ICF). They are a trusted global standard‑setter for professional coaching where you can learn more about coaching and what you can expect from working with a credentialed coach.

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⏳ When is it time to work with a coach?

You don’t need to be broken, burnt out, or in crisis to hire a coach.

In fact, the best time is usually before things feel urgent when you’re eager to be challenged.

Here are a few signs you’re ready for coaching:

• You’ve explored self-help tools or reading but still want more personalized guidance and accountability.

• You’re mentally and emotionally stable but feel stuck or overwhelmed by choices.

• You’re circling the same block over and over (same patterns, same questions, same frustrations).

• You feel like your potential is there, but you can’t fully access or embody it.

• You’ve grown fast and need support holding the new level of visibility or responsibility.

• You’re itching to make bold moves, but second-guessing or imposter syndrome is slowing you down.

• You crave clarity, momentum, and someone to mirror your brilliance back to you.

Coaching gives you structure, insight, and accountability. But more than anything, it helps you own who you are and lead from that place.

Consider therapy if:

• You’re experiencing trauma, mental health conditions, or emotional recovery.

• You need deep healing before moving into future goals.

Consider self-exploration (journaling, books, mentorship) if you’re curious and stable, but not ready to invest yet.

And it’s completely okay to pause growth entirely if you’re in a survival season or need rest. Your next chapter will still be there when you’re ready.

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🙋‍♀️ What Kind of Coaching I Offer (& Whether It’s Right for You)

My coaching isn’t about one-size-fits-all formulas.

It’s for leaders, founders, and professionals who are ready to:

• Lead from their actual values (not old patterns or people-pleasing)

• Build visibility with confidence

• Navigate high-level decisions without self-doubt

• Grow their leadership presence or career in a sustainable, authentic way

What you can expect from working with me:

✨ Strategic clarity: I help you map what you really want and build the plan to get there.

✨ Pattern recognition: I see the unhelpful loops you’re in and show you how to shift them fast.

✨ Emotionally intelligent space: You get to be fully human when working with me. Coaching is bold, but it is also grounded, compassionate, and designed to support your whole self.

✨ Results without hustle: You’ll learn how to align your success without continuing patterns that create burnout.  

I work best with clients who are honest, introspective, ready for change and willing to stop doing things the way they’ve always done them.

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TL;DR: Coaching is for you if…

✅ You’re ready to stop overthinking and start owning your next move.

✅ You want someone in your corner who sees the bigger picture (and the small patterns that hold you back).

✅ You’re willing to lead (not just react).

✅ You’re done doing it the hard way, alone.

If that’s you, we should talk. Head to my home page www.lauracoaches.com to set up your complimentary consultation.

Whether you’re leading a company, scaling a business, or simply ready to step into your next chapter with more clarity and confidence, coaching can help you get there faster, cleaner, and with far more ease.

The next level doesn’t have to be hard or heavy.

It just has to be intentional.