For an ICF credential or renewing ACC, the ICF requires:

• 10 hours of mentor coaching completed over a minimum of three months.
• At least 3 hours must be one-to-one. The remaining hours can be one-to-one or group (group size capped by ICF).
• Your mentor coach must hold a current ICF credential, as Lisa does. More about Lisa here.

From January 1, 2027, ICF credential candidates will need to complete mentor coaching with a mentor coach who has earned the ICF Mentor Coach Specialization. From April 1, 2027, ACC and PCC Portfolio candidates will move from performance evaluation recordings and transcripts to a mentor-coach-led skills validation process. Real Clear is already preparing for these changes, so your mentor coaching experience is aligned with where ICF credentialing is heading.

Both mentor-coaching and supervision from Real Clear follow these principles:

• Strengths-based and trauma-informed, we are human centred in our approach.
• Encouraging, honest feedback that builds skill and confidence.
• Practical: Concrete suggestions you can apply.
• Mental Fitness: all our work is rooted in our unique Four Core Muscles model and a working knowledge of cognitive neuroscience to support presence, regulation and reflective practice.

Coaching Supervision

Alongside ICF mentor coaching, we also offer coaching supervision for coaches who want a reflective, restorative and developmental space to explore their practice.

Coaching supervision can help you reflect on client work, ethical questions, contracting, boundaries, confidence, emotional load and the wider patterns that show up in your coaching. It is especially useful if you want to stay resourced, practise ethically and continue developing as a thoughtful, self-aware coach.

For ICF credential renewal, coaching supervision may also be used towards Core Competency CCE requirements, within ICF’s stated limits.

If you are unsure whether you need mentor coaching, coaching supervision, or a blend of both, we can talk this through on a short call.

What is Mentor Coaching? Mentor coaching IS skills development based on observed coaching and competency-linked feedback. Mentor coaching IS NOT therapy, counselling, business consulting or exam guarantees. Your results come from your practice and reflection.

Do I need mentor coaching or coaching supervision? If you need ICF credentialing support, observed coaching feedback or ACC renewal mentor coaching, mentor coaching is usually the right route. If you want reflective support around your practice, client work, ethics, boundaries or professional resilience, coaching supervision may be a better fit.

Can I combine mentor coaching and supervision? Yes. Some coaches choose mentor coaching for ICF competency development and supervision for wider reflective practice. We can help you decide what combination best supports your goals.

Do you guarantee a pass for an ICF credential? No. Mentor coaching supports your learning and readiness. No mentor can guarantee outcomes. We focus on building observable competence in line with ICF standards.

Can I count group hours? Yes. You need at least 3 hours one-to-one. The rest can be one-to-one or group within ICF limits. We will plan the mix that suits you.

Who can be my mentor coach? A coach with a current ICF credential. If they are ACC, they must have renewed at least once. Using a PCC or MCC can create flexibility if you later upgrade. From 2027 they need to hold the Mentor Coach Specialization with the ICF.

How long will Mentor Coaching take? ICF requires a minimum of three months. Many coaches choose to spread sessions over 3 to 6 months to allow practice and reflection.

How frequently should I have Supervision? We recommend having coaching supervision a minimum of once per quarter, so four times per year.