Empowered Recovery Coach Certification
Program Syllabus & Training Roadmap
A comprehensive, trauma-informed training pathway designed to develop ethical, confident, and highly skilled recovery coaches.
This program goes beyond theory. It is designed to help you embody the role of a recovery coach through structured education, supervised practice, and real-world application.
The role of a recovery coach has evolved far beyond peer support or motivational guidance. Modern recovery coaches are required to be emotionally attuned, trauma-informed, and grounded in both neuroscience and behavior change principles. They must be skilled in nervous system awareness, client-centered communication, and ethical practice, while supporting individuals through complex patterns of disconnection, avoidance, and maladaptive coping. Today’s recovery coach serves as a guide for identity transformation—helping clients move beyond simply stopping behaviors and into building aligned, meaningful lives.
The Empowered Recovery Coach Certification is a comprehensive training experience designed to develop confident, ethical, and highly skilled practitioners through a structured blend of foundational education, applied coaching practice, supervised practicum, and real-world integration. Created for individuals called to purpose-driven work, this program equips you with a clear framework for supporting sustainable change while honoring scope of practice and professional integrity.
Guided by an integrative model that combines neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and coaching methodology, the program prepares you to navigate the complexities of human behavior—from emotional regulation and nervous system states to identity, values, and long-term transformation. Throughout this journey, you will refine your coaching presence, build practical experience, and step into a professional role with clarity, confidence, and a deep understanding of what it means to truly support recovery in today’s world.
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CORE TRAINING PILLARS
Foundations of Recovery Coaching & Scope of Practice
Develop a clear understanding of the role of a recovery coach, including ethical boundaries, scope limitations, and how to work alongside clinical professionals while maintaining integrity and professionalism.The Science of Addiction & Behavior Change
Gain a working knowledge of how addiction and maladaptive behaviors impact the brain, including reward pathways, habit formation, and evidence-based principles that support sustainable change.Nervous System Regulation & Emotional Processing
Learn how to recognize and respond to nervous system states, support emotional regulation, and guide clients through practical tools that foster safety, stability, and resilience.Trauma-Informed Coaching Approaches
Apply trauma-informed principles to create a safe, non-judgmental coaching environment that prioritizes client autonomy, choice, and empowerment.Client Assessment & Goal Setting
Build skills in identifying client needs, recognizing patterns, and collaboratively developing clear, values-based goals that support meaningful progress.Group Coaching Facilitation
Develop the ability to lead structured, engaging group sessions that encourage reflection, connection, and integration without stepping into a clinical role.Ethical Standards & Boundaries
Strengthen your ability to navigate complex situations with professionalism, maintain appropriate boundaries, and uphold ethical decision-making in all client interactions.Building a Coaching Practice
Learn foundational strategies for establishing and growing a coaching practice, including client onboarding, session structure, and creating a sustainable, purpose-driven business model.
Structured for Mastery, Not Just Completion
The Empowered Recovery Coach Certification is intentionally designed as a progressive learning journey that moves beyond theory into real-world application. Each phase builds upon the last, guiding participants through a structured pathway of education, skill development, and supervised experience to ensure true competency—not just completion.
Program Phases
Phase 1: Foundational Training
Participants begin with a strong foundation through completion of the Empowered Recovery Course alongside core coaching principles. This phase establishes essential knowledge in behavior change, recovery frameworks, nervous system awareness, and the role of a recovery coach within ethical scope.
Phase 4: Capstone Project
The capstone serves as the final demonstration of competency. Participants submit a recorded coaching session that reflects their ability to apply the Empowered Recovery framework, hold space effectively, and guide clients through meaningful transformation.
Phase 2: Applied Learning
Building on foundational knowledge, participants begin actively integrating what they have learned through guided exercises, client simulations, and coaching practice. This phase emphasizes skill development, communication techniques, and the ability to navigate real-life client scenarios with confidence.
Phase 3: Supervised Practicum
Participants engage in live coaching sessions while receiving structured feedback and evaluation. This phase is designed to refine coaching presence, strengthen decision-making, and ensure participants can effectively support clients within a professional and ethical framework.
Phase 5: Certification & Licensing
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, participants are awarded certification as an Empowered Recovery Coach. Graduates gain access to ongoing resources, potential inclusion in the Empowered Recovery directory, and opportunities to integrate into the broader provider network.
An Immersive, Real-World Training Experience
The Empowered Recovery Coach Certification blends structured learning with real-world application to develop confident, capable coaches. This is not passive education—it is an active, hands-on experience designed to help you apply what you learn in real time.
Through a combination of foundational coursework, guided practice, and supervised coaching, you will build the skills needed to support meaningful behavior change. Each phase is designed to move you from understanding → application → competency.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Blended self-paced + applied learning
Real coaching practice and skill integration
Supervised practicum with feedback
Clear, step-by-step progression
Focus on nervous system + trauma-informed care
Capstone: Demonstrating Real-World Competency
To complete the Empowered Recovery Coach Certification, each participant is required to submit a recorded coaching session that reflects their ability to apply the Empowered Recovery framework in a real-world setting. This capstone is designed to assess not only knowledge, but the ability to guide a client with presence, clarity, and ethical integrity.
Participants will demonstrate their capacity to build rapport, support emotional processing, navigate nervous system states, and facilitate meaningful behavior change within appropriate coaching scope. This process ensures that every certified coach has developed the practical skills necessary to work confidently with clients.
This is not a theoretical assignment—it is a true demonstration of readiness. The capstone represents the transition from student to practitioner, validating your ability to apply what you have learned in a way that is grounded, professional, and effective.
Distinguished Faculty
The Empowered Recovery Coach Certification is led by a multidisciplinary approach that integrates evidence-based practices with real-world application. Rooted in neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and coaching methodology, the program is designed to deliver both depth of knowledge and practical skill development.
Participants are guided through a structured learning experience that emphasizes ethical practice, nervous system awareness, and sustainable behavior change. The program reflects a modern, integrative model of recovery—one that bridges science, lived experience, and transformational coaching.
Program Creator & Lead Instructor
Prairie Francia
CHC, SUD Recovery Specialist, and Founder of the Empowered Recovery Course
Guest Experts
David Burke, LAADC-CA / ICADC Founder- Newstart Recovery Solutions, Co-founder- Sierra Health & Wellness Centers
Guest Expert Instructor – Marketing & Business Development, Intervention Specialist
Prairie Francia is the founder of the Empowered Recovery framework and the creator of the Empowered Recovery Curriculum, a structured program used in both coaching and treatment settings. Her work focuses on bridging neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed care with practical coaching applications that support long-term transformation.
With a background in health coaching, energy work, and recovery support, Prairie brings a holistic and integrative perspective to behavior change. Her approach emphasizes not only what clients do, but how they experience change—supporting alignment across mind, body, and behavior.
Through the Empowered Recovery Coach Certification, Prairie trains practitioners to develop both the technical skillset and the embodied presence required to effectively guide clients. Her teaching prioritizes clarity, ethical integrity, and real-world application, ensuring that graduates are prepared to support individuals in meaningful and sustainable ways.
CURRICULUM
The Empowered Recovery Coach Certification is designed for individuals who are ready to move beyond surface-level support and step into a structured, professional role in recovery coaching. This immersive curriculum blends neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and coaching methodology with real-world application, equipping you to guide meaningful and sustainable behavior change.
Through a progressive learning experience, you will develop the ability to understand complex human behavior, support nervous system regulation, and facilitate identity-level transformation. The curriculum is designed not only to build knowledge, but to refine your presence, communication, and decision-making as a practitioner.
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The Role of the Empowered Recovery Coach
Understanding the scope of practice and ethical boundaries of recovery coaching
Differentiating coaching from therapy, sponsorship, and peer support
Establishing professional identity, responsibility, and integrity
The Science of Addiction & Behavior Patterns
Understanding the neurobiology of addiction and reward pathways
Habit loops, conditioning, and reinforcement cycles
The relationship between emotional regulation and maladaptive coping behaviors
Behavior Change & Identity Transformation
Moving from behavior-focused change to identity-based transformation
Understanding motivation, resistance, and ambivalence
Supporting clients in creating sustainable, values-based change
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Nervous System Awareness & Regulation
Understanding sympathetic, parasympathetic, and dorsal states
Recognizing how nervous system dysregulation drives behavior
Practical tools to support regulation, safety, and stability
Emotional Processing & Awareness
Identifying emotional triggers and patterns
Supporting clients in naming, processing, and responding to emotions
Building emotional resilience and distress tolerance
Trauma-Informed Coaching Principles
Creating psychological safety and client-centered environments
Understanding trauma responses without entering clinical scope
Empowering client autonomy, choice, and pacing
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Client Assessment & Goal Setting
Identifying patterns, behaviors, and client needs
Setting clear, values-driven goals
Tracking progress and adjusting coaching strategies
Coaching Communication & Presence
Active listening, attunement, and reflective questioning
Holding space without fixing, directing, or advising
Navigating resistance, avoidance, and emotional discomfort
Group Coaching & Facilitation
Structuring and leading group sessions
Encouraging participation, reflection, and shared learning
Maintaining boundaries and group dynamics
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Ethics, Boundaries & Professional Responsibility
Maintaining ethical standards in real-world scenarios
Recognizing scope limitations and when to refer out
Documentation, confidentiality, and professionalism
Building a Coaching Practice
Client onboarding, session structure, and program delivery
Creating a sustainable, purpose-driven coaching business
Developing confidence in your role as a practitioner
Real-World Application & Integration
Applying the Empowered Recovery framework with clients
Preparing for practicum and capstone evaluation
Integrating knowledge into confident, ethical practice
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The program prepares practitioners to confidently support behavior change, recovery, and personal transformation through a structured, trauma-informed coaching approach. Develop the ability to understand and respond to nervous system states, translate behavioral insights into practical client strategies, and guide individuals toward sustainable, values-driven change. Strengthen your coaching presence, uphold ethical integrity, and lead with clarity in a field that requires both scientific understanding and deeply human connection.
ADMISSIONS
The Empowered Recovery Coach Certification follows a structured application process designed to ensure alignment, readiness, and integrity within the program. Each step is intended to support both the applicant and the program in creating a strong, values-aligned cohort.
SUBMIT APPLICATION
Applicants complete the online application and submit all required materials, including background information, professional experience, and personal intent for joining the program.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
APPLICATION REVIEW
Each application is carefully reviewed to assess alignment with the program’s values, readiness for participation, and commitment to ethical coaching practice.
INTERVIEW
Selected applicants may be invited to participate in a brief interview to further explore fit, answer questions, and ensure the program is aligned with their goals. Final decisions are communicated following the review process.
Applicants for the program are expected to provide:
A current resume (PDF or Word format)
Two professional or personal references
A completed application outlining experience and intent
A willingness to commit to the full program, including practicum and capstone
PROGRAM FEES
The Empowered Recovery Coach Certification is an investment in both your professional development and your ability to support meaningful transformation in others. The program fee reflects the comprehensive nature of the training, including structured curriculum, applied learning, supervised practicum, and certification.
The total program investment is $4,300 USD for Tier 1 participants. This includes access to all training materials, program modules, practicum support, certification review, and initial licensing access to the Empowered Recovery framework.
The program fee does not include optional travel expenses for in-person trainings or immersion experiences, if applicable, or any additional personal business development costs outside of the program.
Please Note:
A non-refundable deposit may be required to secure your placement in the program
Payment plans may be available upon request
Enrollment is limited to maintain a high-quality, supported learning experience
*Flexible payment options may be available for this program. Please connect with our team for more information. Limited seats are available per cohort.