Coaching as a profession

Our passion for coaching means striving for the highest standard.

About ICF

As a relatively new field experiencing rapid growth, coaching presents unique challenges.

The ICF is the world's largest and most recognized nonprofit organization of professionally trained coaches with more than 41,000 members in 145 territories. Representing executive coaches, life coaches, leadership coaches, relationship coaches, career coaches and more, ICF's mission is to promote coaching so that it becomes an integral part of a thriving society.

ICF stands for the standard in coaching

Today, ICF is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession. We do this by setting high professional standards, providing independent certification, and building a network of certified This is what we do by setting high professional standards, providing independent certification, and building a network of certified.

ICF is the only globally recognized, independent certification body for coaches. Certification is awarded to professionally trained coaches who meet the requirements for training, experience, a thorough understanding of ICF's core competencies and ethical guidelines. Achieving certification within ICF signifies that the coach has demonstrated commitment, integrity, understanding, coaching skills and dedication to their clients.

ICF accredits also training programs that provide coach-specific training. Accredited training programs must undergo a rigorous review process and demonstrate that the curriculum is consistent with ICF's core competencies and ethical guidelines.

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Today, ICF is specifically recognized by professional coaches around the world for its work in:

Ethics

ICF is a leader in the development and definition and philosophy of coaching and has established ethical guidelines for all members. Through the ethical guidelines, an audit process for ethical conduct, an established program grievance process, and an Independent Review Board (ICB), ICF sets high standards for professional coaching standards. At the same time, clients/clients have a place to file ethical complaints about ICF members, ICF certificate holders, or ICF-accredited training programs.

Our trademark

As the world's largest trade association for professionally trained coaches, the ICF brand creates immediate credibility.

ICF ensures that member coaches meet requirements and established standards, follow guidelines and continue to develop their coaching skills.

ICF stands for the fact that as a client/client, you expect professional, quality-assured coaching that follows clear ethical guidelines.

ICF has clear guidelines for the use of the brand for members, training programs, certifications and accredited educational companies.

Business Coach
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Brief history of ICF

When ICF was founded in 1995, the goal was to give credibility to an emerging profession and to give coaches a place to connect with each other. In the 25 years since, ICF has grown to become the world's largest organization of professionally trained coaches and the leading voice for the global coaching community.

In 2020, the International Coach Federation became the International Coaching Federation. This was not just a new name; it was a new way to serve coaches, clientele, our communities and the world as we pursue our vision of coaching as an integral part of a thriving society.

ICF Chapters are local communities of ICF members. The ICF Netherlands Chapter brings our global organization to life at the national and local level. We build, support and maintain the integrity and standards of the coaching profession in the Netherlands.

All members of ICF Netherlands have completed coaching training accredited by ICF, are continually developing their skills, follow our ethical guidelines, and most members choose to safeguard their coaching through the certification system. ICF certifies professional coaches who have met training and experience requirements and demonstrate a thorough understanding of coaching skills and ethical guidelines.

About ICF Netherlands

We, ICF Netherlands, are the official Dutch Chapter of the International Coaching Federation. We offer our members a community that is supportive, opportunities for professional development, networking, and an enjoyable way to connect with coaches of all backgrounds and specialties.

We strive to be the best resource in the Netherlands for clients to find (internationally) certified coaches that match their expectations and needs.

Our members

Our members are professional coaches with their own coaching practices or active as in-house coaches, as well as business professionals who use coaching as a development and performance tool in their work.

Are you building with us?
Join us, learn from and with each other, and be part of the continued development of a wonderful profession.

Would you like to help build volunteer capacity in areas such as member engagement, programs & education, sales & sponsorship, finance & operations, and communications & marketing? Then send an email to: info@coachingfederation.nl.

Our Team

Meet our board

President

Dian Lens PCC

Dian Lens

After completing my certification, now 10 years ago, I made a conscious decision to become a member of ICF Global. In my long corporate experience at Capgemini, I have seen that clients value ICF membership in the Netherlands and internationally. Six years ago I chose to go into business with my company Power2Bloom. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianlens/

I coach professionals and executives and guide teams through a change or in their development. I am a doer, people say about me that I am empathetic, decisive and creative. I love to inspire and be inspired. I am addicted to going deeper and I like to learn a lot. So it is that after studying neuroscience I am now writing a book about consciousness and how to make neuroscience work for you.

What would the world look like if we embraced the idea that learning belongs? That's why a role on the board of ICF Netherlands fits for me at the moment. There is much to do and to learn. My motto is: I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become. And further... I have 2 grown up daughters, Sofie and Sarah and I am married to Onno.

I look forward to taking our fine coaching profession to the next level.

Secretary

Jetske van Heusden, PCC

Jetske van Heusden

Since 2014 I work as an independent coach and consultant for various national and international organizations in the field of executive coaching, performance coaching and personal coaching. Themes that often come up include (personal) leadership, career and work/life balance. Where I work with teams it is often about trust, communication and collaboration.

My first work experience was in the corporate world. Initially in a commercial role, also as an executive, but soon more towards the HRM and training corner as a mentor, professional trainer and internal coach. Thus for many years I have been a program manager for organizational, leadership and talent development. I also design these learning processes and provide training myself. This in an international context.

Through the Foundation for Corporate Education (FCE), Jetske attended the Curriculum Development course and the Training Administration course. In addition to these studies, Jetske took various courses in the field of coaching, leadership, management, training and organizational development. In addition to her certification as a Professional Certified Coach with the ICF, Jetske holds certifications as a Professional Co-Active Coach and NeuroTransformational Coach.

Treasurer

Adger de Boer, ACC

Adger de Boer

It is my mission and intention to help people discover and experience the best and happiest versions of themselves and life. And actually I have been doing this for more than 20 years, first as a coaching executive and since 2016 as a coach. In the board take knowledge of the financial world, ICT and money. 
A large part of my assignments consists of guiding and developing people, teams and their organization in their transformation towards agility, self-organization and/or effective leadership. 
In 2018, I deepened my coaching skills at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) intensive coaching training. Besides coaching in English and remotely, I learned a lot about myself as an instrument here in particular. And my journey of discovery is still ongoing....

When I'm not coaching, I do my daily routine of Tai Chi and morning walks. On the weekends, I enjoy being in nature and spending time with my family.

Board member

Olivier Akkerman, PCC

Olivier AKkermans

Als Life & Business Coach begeleid ik individuele cliënten en teams en in hun zoektocht naar nieuwe inzichten, die helpend en helend kunnen zijn voor innerlijke groei en het realiseren van gewenste doelen.

Na 25 jaar in diverse management- en directie functies te hebben gewerkt (o.a. bij Holland Casino, Sligro en Hanos) ben ik in 2014 gestart als zelfstandig ondernemer.
Mijn echte passie heb ik gevonden tijdens mijn Coach Training aan “The MMS Institute” Daarnaast begeleid ik, als Professioneel opgeleid systemisch coach aan het Instituut voor Systemisch werk (IVSW), mensen en teams in het vinden van onderstromen, patronen en dynamieken die persoonlijke- of bedrijfsontwikkeling in de weg staan. Het organiseren en begeleiden van Familie- en organisatie opstellingen is een van de mooie tools die ik hiervoor kan inzetten.

In de rol van Bestuurslid Community Engagement zet ik mij in voor het verbeteren van het imago van ons prachtige coachvak door onderlinge samenwerking en betrokkenheid van onze leden en andere professionele hulpverleners te stimuleren en uit te dragen.
Ik ben uit ’63 en al 30 jaar gelukkig getrouwd met Ankie. Wij wonen in Bavel en zijn ouders van Maurits & Vera.

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