The 40-hour initial training is delivered online and
in-person to groups of 12-24 trainees. The curriculum includes necessary knowledge on addiction, types of treatment, varieties of recovery pathways, cultural diversity, boundaries, working with families, trauma-informed care and post-traumatic growth.

 

In addition, trainees learn all essential recovery coach competencies and the recovery coaching code of ethics. Training includes didactic teaching, individual and group exercises, discussions, coaching skills role-playing, homework reading assignments and community-based resource-finding activities.

 

Following the successful completion of initial training, trainees enter the community of practice for mentorship and a period of supervised coaching experience. After 125 hours of volunteer supervised coaching and continuing education, successful trainees earn their recovery coach certificates. For example, if, after the initial course, a volunteer were to dedicate four hours per week to supervised training, they would complete the requirements for recovery coach certification within eight months.

 

Since recovery coaching is so new, credentialing and certification are still evolving. As a result, requirements for accreditation, maintenance of accreditation and levels of certification will change. Recovery Coaches Alberta will adapt the training requirements accordingly.