Recovery Coaches FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions


Q:  Can I train to become a Recovery Coach if I do not have human services background?
A:   Absolutely! Oftentimes, people who are new to the field bring the best qualities.  Being fresh brings enthusiasm, vitality, and new perspectives.


Q:  Can the “Recovery Coach” training really teach me what I need to know in only forty-eight hours?
A:   I address this answer with an emphatic YES! I believe the training I have created will give the new coach professional enough information and, most importantly, self-confidence to begin accepting clients immediately. Many of the coaches who have completed the training say the information, in conjunction with their commitment and passion for providing the best coaching experience for their clients, has proven more than enough to seek additional education and training and refer others to our training.


Q:  Does training through the Sober Network mean I get certified?
A:   The Sober Network is a private company providing training that will meet the educational standards implemented in the State of Florida by the Florida Certification Board. Our Provider Number is: 5087-A. We are pleased to share we are also a certified provider for NAADAC, along with CACCF in Canada. A nationally recognized professional association. We are listed under Harold Jonas, Ph.D., LMHC, CAP/Sober Network.


Q:  What kind of degrees do you need to be a recovery coach? And can I be certified in Minnesota and/or New York?
A:   At this point, the field of recovery coaching is in its infancy. The most exciting breakthrough to date has been recognized as a profession and an asset by the treatment industry and also the movement towards certification by individual States. Florida has been a pioneer and instituted credentialing in 2008. The requirement at this point is a High School education or equivalent, plus specialized training. Recovery coaches can coach within the parameters of their training and expertise and are not bound by States boundary.


Q:  I wonder - Do you have to be in recovery to become a coach.
A: We believe a professional does not have to be in “recovery” from substances to be an effective coach. A thorough understanding of the multiple paths to recovery is essential, but a professional will not walk down each one in their own life.


Q:  Is California ok with this certification? I am a CADC-II?
A:   To the best of our knowledge, Florida has the highest standards of most States and is recognized as a leader for developing criteria other states use to measure their programs. We are confident Florida will meet or exceed reciprocity in most states that institute certification for coaches.


Q:  What does it cost for your various classes/courses?
A:  Our current price for the complete All Access Pass is $1,350. You can purchase the two courses individually as well, courses ranging from $750-$850.  This provides you with an accredited certificate of attendance sanctioned by the Florida Certification Board and access to class material as long as needed. We also offer individual and group supervision on a fee-for-service basis. What we want for you most importantly is your own success. The training fee includes all the material you need to get started. The most useful tool included in the “FlexDek” proprietary software that you will be trained to utilize as an adjunct to your own style. We designed and developed “FlexDek” as a web-based application that is also downloaded as a mobile app to assist in establishing and maintaining client accountability and recovery management. It is a proven method to keep focus and priorities directed toward success for the coach and client/user.


Q:  How much can a recovery coach earn per hour/week?
A:   The rate of a professional consultant like a recovery coach varies significantly. The floor or lowest price we suggest is about $25.00 per hour, and we have heard of coaches charging as much as $250.00 per hour. So our strategy for our new coaches is to negotiate a flat rate for a block of hours and evaluate fees/goals upon execution and completion. We have found this area of coaching to be one of the biggest hurdles for coaches to scale. It seems establishing, asking for, and obtaining a reasonable fee for service is challenging. We are here to help.


Q:  Do you have a payment plan for the training?
A:   We usually do not encourage a payment plan, but all applicants can request assistance and are evaluated on a per request basis.


Q:  I want to get more involved in recovery, but no one can direct me to a career with an income that can be lived on?
A:   It has been our experience many human service professionals will adjust their standard of living to meet their passion in life and service to others. Clients expect to pay a fee for service, especially when they are contracting a self-employed professional. The committed and dedicated recovery coaches can make a living. This is no different than any other professional entering the marketplace. Physicians, Massage, Chiropractors, Psychotherapists, and other professionals interacting with the private client all have to self-promote and be prepared for the next time the phone rings.