Whether you want to start a coaching career, advance in your current role or better understand human behaviour, this course combines coaching skills with psychology to make a real difference.
The Advanced Certificate of Life Coaching and Psychology is an online course that provides evidence-based techniques, ethical frameworks, and tools to support personal and professional growth in individuals and teams.
In this life coaching and psychology course, you’ll discover successful communication skills, structured coaching models, cognitive behavioural techniques, and solution-focused strategies. You’ll also learn how to build resilience in clients, increase motivation, and develop a successful coaching business.
You’ll explore human behaviour and mental processes, covering key areas such as cognition, development, personality, social psychology, and applied psychology in real-world settings. You’ll also study the biological bases of behaviour, research methods, and mental health foundations to understand the science behind personal growth that promotes real, lasting change.
On completion of this course, you’ll feel confident in empowering individuals and teams to enhance performance and support well-being.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Certificate of Life Coaching
Unit 1: Foundations of Life Coaching
- Defining life coaching
- Scope of life coaching
- Benefits of life coaching
- Ethical and professional frameworks
- Establishing professional standards
- Promoting accountability
- Understanding boundaries
- Defining responsibilities
- Boundary challenges
Unit 2: Facilitation Skills for Coaching Change
- Evidence-based coaching
- Evidence-based coaching models
- GROW Model
- Cognitive behavioural coaching
- Solution-focused coaching
- Positive psychological coaching
- Systemic coaching
- Psychology of change and motivation
- Stages of Change
- Resistance to change
- Motivation and change
- Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
- Psychological strategies
- Building resilience
- Empowering clients to take action
- Goal-setting frameworks
- Action planning tools
- Accountability mechanisms
- Cognitive behavioural techniques
- Motivation boosters
Unit 3: Communication for Life Coaches
- Effective communication
- Active listening
- Powerful questioning
- Active listening and questioning
- Common pitfalls
- Structured coaching sessions
- Coaching best practices
- Building rapport and trust
- Establishing trust
- Maintaining trust
- Overcoming challenges
- Cultural competence
Unit 4: Solution-Focused Coaching Techniques
- Solution-focused techniques
- Goal-setting strategies
- SMART Goals
- Visualisation and outcomes
- WOOP Method
- Solution-focused interventions
- Adapting to client needs
Unit 5: Cognitive Behavioural Coaching
- Understanding cognitive behavioural techniques (CBT)
- CBT in coaching
- Limiting beliefs
- Cognitive restructuring
- Behavioural experiments
- Thought records
- Goal-oriented problem solving
- Mindfulness and relaxation
- Challenging limiting beliefs
- Reinforcing new believes
- Building resilience
- Building emotional wellbeing
Unit 6: Structuring a Client Session
- Structuring a client session
- Pre-session preparation
- Establishing rapport and setting the agenda
- Exploration and insight generation
- Action planning and accountability
- Effective session closure
- Post-session reflection and follow-up
Unit 7: Professional Growth and Practice Evaluation
- Reflective practice
- Steps in reflective practice
- Reflective practice tools
- Challenges in reflective practice
- Continuous professional development
- Seeking and integrating feedback into practice
- Overcoming challenges
Unit 8: Building and Sustaining a Coaching Business
- Developing a business plan
- Legal considerations
- Ethical considerations
- Risk management
- Marketing your coaching practice
- Growing your coaching practice
- Strategies for client acquisition
- Developing your niche
- Pricing your services
- Leveraging LinkedIn
- Leveraging Facebook and Instagram
- Building a successful coaching website
- Email marketing
- Content marketing
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
- Strategies for client retention
- Balancing acquisition and retention
- Technology and tools
Unit 2 - Certificate of Psychology
Unit 1: Introduction to Psychology
- What is Psychology
- The goals of psychology
- A brief history of psychology
- Biological perspective
- Behavioural perspective
- Cognitive perspective
- Humanistic perspective
- Psychodynamic perspective
- Socio-cultural perspective
- Psychology as a profession
- Psychology for everyday professionals
Unit 2: Research Methods in Psychology
- Psychology as a science
- Quantitative vs qualitative methods
- Common research designs
- Experiments
- Case studies
- Surveys
- Observations
- Ethics in psychology research
- APS code of ethics
- Interpreting psychology research in the media
Unit 3: Biological Bases of Behaviour
- Brain structure and function
- The nervous system
- Hormones: chemical messengers
- The endocrine system
- Genetics: the blueprint of behaviour
- Evolutionary psychology
- Biology and behaviour
- Sleep, stress, and mental health
Unit 4: Cognitive Psychology
- Sensation and perception
- Memory systems: short-term, working, and long-term memory
- Classical conditioning
- Operant conditioning
- Observational learning
- Problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking
- Cognitive psychology applications
Unit 5: Developmental Psychology
- Lifespan development
- Infancy (birth-2 years)
- Childhood (2-12 years)
- Adolescence (12-18 years)
- Adulthood (18-65)
- Ageing (65+)
- Piaget’s cognitive development theory
- Erikson’s psychosocial development theory
- Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory
- Attachment and bonding
- Identity formation
- Cultural perspectives on development
Unit 6: Personality and Individual Differences
- What is personality?
- Trait and type theories
- Freud’s psychodynamic theory
- Humanistic approaches
- The Big Five personality model
- Intelligence, creativity, and emotional intelligence
- Personality assessments and ethical considerations
Unit 7: Social Psychology
- How social context influences behaviour
- Components of attitudes (ABC Model)
- Persuasion
- Prejudice
- Group dynamics
- Conformity
- Obedience
- Leadership
- Cross-cultural social psychology
- Social psychology and marketing
- Social psychology and teamwork
- Social psychology and education
Unit 8: Applied Psychology and Mental Health
- Psychological disorders
- Anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia
- Approaches to treatment
- Positive psychology and resilience
- Psychology Iin applied settings
- Health psychology
- Educational psychology
- Business and organisational psychology
- Sports psychology
- Forensic psychology
Study Hours
Estimated duration 100 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Printed Materials – Free to Print
Course materials for this program are available to print at no extra cost.
Testimonials
Click to See What Our Students Say
Thrilled with my experience with Australian Online Courses!! Will highly recommend to others – thank you!
K. Summerfield, Harrison, ACT | Certificate of Life Coaching
Online content worked well with my schedule. Easy to access
G.Ward, Hawthorn East, VIC | Certificate of Life Coaching
The tutors are very responsive and will send a reminder everywhere if you need support with your course. It’s good value for money and able to do it on your free time.
T. Cook, VIC | Certificate of Life Coaching
The ability to study when I could was great, worked in with my life. Topics were easy to follow.
Maria | Brighton Le Sands, NSW | Certificate of Life Coaching
Course was easy to follow and work through. Loved that it was self paced and that I was checked in on every few weeks by the tutors.
Kailen | Jane Brook, WA | Certificate of Life Coaching
The experience was very pleasant. I found the website easy to navigate, I felt supported. The content was informative and the assessment were fantastic.
Jacalyn | Kirkwood, QLD | Certificate of Life Coaching
It was very good experience, studying at my own pace. The tutors were excellent also there for support and review. Thank you
D. Mangwiro, Pakenham, VIC | Certificate of Life Coaching
I enjoyed my experience studying Life Coaching as Australian Online Courses made the content was extremely insightful and easily accessible. I would definitely consider studying another course, or two with Australian Online Courses.
D. Kuman, Oran Park, NSW | Certificate of Life Coaching
An outstanding experience all round! Excellent quality of course notes, and great assessment subjects. I absolutely loved this course, thank you! Pagan
P. Kelly, Red Range, NSW | Certificate of Life Coaching
Excellent course material ; tutor was very helpful and responsive
M. Collins, Bligh Park, NSW | Certificate of Life Coaching
I loved my experience the tutors were helpful and got back to me fast and it’s very affordable in comparison to other online courses.
E. Campbell, Orange, NSW | Certificate of Life Coaching
I enjoyed the course and what I learned. I like that it was practical and we had to do a lot of case studies. Time-wise the amount of time needed to study worked well working full time
K. Schmidt, Highland Park, QLD | Certificate of Life Coaching
Thrilled with my experience with Australian Online Courses!! Will highly recommend to others – thank you!
K. Summerfield, Harrison, ACT | Certificate of Life Coaching
The course was great. Loved the flexibility.
K. Whitwell, Blakeview, SA | Certificate of Life Coaching
The online assistance was prompt and the course material was easy to navigate.
K. Whitwell, Blakeview, SA | Certificate of Life Coaching
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY, Bank Transfer and Payment Plans. View Payment Options
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Afterpay: Within 1-2 working days
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Life Coach
- Personal Development Coach
- Life Strategist
