A collaborative learning process
Mentor coaching combines review of live or recorded coaching, reflective dialogue and specific developmental feedback aligned with the ICF Core Competencies. The purpose is not to make you coach like someone else. It is to help you become more intentional, responsive and effective in the way you coach.
This work is for coaches pursuing or renewing an ACC, PCC or MCC credential, advancing to the next credential level or continuing to develop their practice.
Mentor coaching with Pearl Kanu, ICF MCC
Pearl is an ICF Master Certified Coach, Coach Trainer and Mentor Coach. She holds the ICF Mentor Coach Specializations at ACC, PCC and MCC levels. She is trained in the ACC and MCC Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales and PCC Markers, and brings experience in coach development, leadership coaching and reflective practice.
Her approach is rigorous without being judgmental. You receive honest, level-specific feedback while retaining your own voice and natural coaching style.
Choose your mentor coaching path
ACC Mentor Coaching
Build a strong and confident coaching foundation
For coaches pursuing an initial ACC credential, renewing an ACC, developing at ACC level or preparing to progress toward PCC.
Together, we examine how you establish and maintain the coaching agreement, listen for what matters, remain curious and support the client’s learning and forward movement.
What is included
- 10 hours over at least three months, with 12 full weeks between the first and final sessions
- Seven hours of small-group and three hours of individual mentor coaching
- Review of live or recorded coaching sessions
- Feedback aligned with ACC-level expectations
- Strengths, developmental priorities and focused practice between sessions
- A letter confirming completed mentor-coaching hours, not a professional certification
Investment: $1,000–$1,495
PCC Mentor Coaching
Deepen partnership, presence and client-led coaching
For coaches pursuing PCC, progressing from ACC, renewing a PCC or seeking continued development at PCC level.
We examine how fully you partner with the client, follow the client’s language and energy, use silence, respond to the whole person and allow insight to emerge without leading the conversation.
What is included
- 10 hours over at least three months, with 12 full weeks between the first and final sessions
- Seven hours of small-group and three hours of individual mentor coaching
- Review of live or recorded coaching sessions
- Feedback aligned with the ICF Core Competencies and PCC-level expectations
- Attention to demonstrated strengths and missed opportunities
- Guidance in considering the strengths and risks of possible submission recordings
- A letter confirming completed mentor-coaching hours, not a professional certification
Investment: $1,000–$1,795
MCC Mentor Coaching
Move beyond competence toward coaching mastery
For experienced coaches preparing for MCC, developing at MCC level, renewing an MCC or continuing their development after earning the credential.
MCC development often asks the coach to do less, trust more and remain deeply responsive to the client’s way of thinking, feeling and making meaning. The work may attend to presence, spaciousness, attunement, partnership, silence, directness and the subtle ways a coach may lead or move ahead of the client.
An initial review may explore
- What is already present at MCC level
- Patterns that may limit deeper partnership
- Your principal developmental edges
- The most appropriate structure for your mentor-coaching journey
Investment: The structure and corresponding investment are agreed after discovery.
Individual mentor coaching
Some coaches prefer to complete all 10 hours individually. A fully individual pathway provides greater flexibility, privacy and concentrated attention. Sessions are tailored to your credential level, experience, timeline and developmental needs.
How the process works
- Begin with a discovery callWe discuss your current credential, goals, pathway, timeline and preferred learning format.
- Listen to your coachingLive or recorded sessions let us work with what actually happens, rather than relying only on what you remember afterward. You must obtain the client’s informed written consent.
- Identify strengths and developmental edgesYou receive feedback based on observed behavior and expectations at your target credential level.
- Practise intentionallyEach session ends with a focused area to notice or practise in your coaching.
- Track your developmentLater sessions help us observe what is shifting and what still needs attention. At completion, you receive a letter confirming your hours.
What you can expect
- Developmental rather than merely evaluative feedback
- Honest, specific and respectful dialogue
- Feedback grounded in observed coaching
- Attention appropriate to your credential level
- Alignment with the ICF Core Competencies
- Support for your individual coaching voice
No credentialing outcome can be guaranteed. Credentialing decisions belong to ICF.
Is this right for you?
SageStride mentor coaching may be a good fit if you are pursuing, renewing or advancing an ICF credential; want informed feedback on actual coaching sessions; are uncertain whether your coaching consistently reflects your target level; or want to grow as a coach rather than merely complete a requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a discovery call before enrolling?
Yes. The complimentary conversation helps clarify your credential, goals, timeline and developmental needs before identifying the pathway that best fits.
Is mentor coaching required for credential renewal?
ACC renewal requires 10 hours of mentor coaching. For PCC and MCC renewal, mentor coaching is not universally required; eligible hours may count toward Core Competency continuing education. Always confirm the current requirements for your own pathway with ICF.
What changes beginning in January 2027?
ICF states that new mentor-coaching hours used for credential applications must be completed with a mentor coach holding the appropriate Mentor Coach Specialization. Pearl holds the ACC, PCC and MCC specializations.
What time counts toward the 10 hours?
Only live interactive dialogue and feedback with the mentor coach count toward the required hours. Time spent reviewing a recording or preparing feedback outside the session does not count.
How large are group sessions?
For credentialing, the group ratio will not exceed 10 coaches to one appropriately qualified mentor coach. The planned group size will be communicated before enrollment.
Will my coaching be reviewed live or from a recording?
Either format may be used. You must obtain the client’s informed written consent before a session is observed, recorded or shared.
Will you tell me whether my recording will pass?
Pearl can identify observed strengths, developmental areas and possible risks, but cannot guarantee that a recording will pass an ICF evaluation.
Can I complete all 10 hours individually?
Yes. A fully individual pathway can be arranged for greater flexibility, privacy or focused attention.
Is mentor coaching only for credentialing?
No. It can also support experienced coaches who want to examine habits, deepen presence and continue developing at their current level or beyond.