Level 1 Spiritual Emergence Coach® Certification
A comprehensive introduction to spiritually transformative experiences. Complete 4 online courses, plus an in-person practicum, to earn Level 1 certification.
Who This Is For
For professionals
For clinicians, counselors, coaches, and mental health professionals including pastoral and school counselors, ministers and priests seeking better assessment and support skills for spiritual emergence and crisis.
For people with lived experience
For individuals, loved ones, and carers seeking clear guidance and practical tools to better understand and navigate the awakening process.
Meet A Few of Our Certified Coaches
What to Expect in Level 1
Time Commitment
10.5 hours of online self-paced coursework plus a 2 day in-person practicum (7 hours per day).
Format
Online self-paced videos + a 2-day in-person training practicum. Choose from Boston (Spring & Fall) or the UK (Fall).
Certification
Complete all 4 required courses and practicum to earn your Spiritual Emergence Coach® Level 1 certification.
CE Credits
24.5 CE credits available for licensed professionals who need documented hours for license renewal. Don't need CE credits? That's ok! You can still enroll. You can still earn full certification.
Learning Objectives
By the end of Level 1 certification, you will be able to:
Define and differentiate between spiritual emergence and spiritual emergency, recognizing key warning signs and stabilization strategies.
Apply grounding and containment techniques to help clients navigate overwhelming spiritual experiences with greater safety and integration.
Recognize when to refer clients to psychiatric care or other specialized services when their needs exceed your scope of practice.
Create a safe holding environment for clients in spiritual crisis while maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards.
Understand cultural and religious contexts of spiritual experiences to provide culturally sensitive support.
Practice core coaching skills through supervised role-play scenarios during the in-person practicum with real-time feedback.
Level 1 Courses Snapshot
Level 1 Required Courses
CE Credits: For eligible healthcare providers, CE credits are available for an additional $150 on top of the course price.
Continuing Education Credits
Optional CE credits for licensed professionals
CE Provider
CE credits are provided by Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA), which is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Up to 24.5 CE credits are available across Level 1 courses.
CE credits are optional and available as an add-on for licensed professionals who need documented hours for license renewal. You can earn full Level 1 certification without purchasing CE credits.
Your Instructors
Emma Bragdom, PhD
Dr. Emma Bragdon is a pioneer in body–mind–spirit wellness with 50 years of experience in integrative approaches to mental health, healing, and human development. She has written seven books, co-produced two documentary films, and has taught experiential learning for adults since 1985. Emma volunteered with the Spiritual Emergence Network (SEN) for seven years, editing their journal and coordinating conferences at Esalen Institute with founders Stanislav and Christina Grof. Her PhD dissertation, "How to Support Someone in Spiritual Emergency," launched a lifelong specialization in this field. From 2001–2012, she conducted field research at Spiritist Community Centers and Psychiatric Hospitals in Brazil, studying their 120-year-old model of integrative care. Since 2012, she has served as "ambassador" to non-Brazilians for the Spiritist Psychiatric Hospital in Goiânia, Brazil, facilitating seminars for health professionals worldwide.
Steve M. Taylor, PhD
Steve Taylor is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, and the author of several best-selling books on psychology and spirituality. He is the current Chair of the Transpersonal Psychology Section of the British Psychology Society. His 13 books include Waking from Sleep, The Fall, Out of the Darkness, Back to Sanity, The Calm Center, The Leap and Spiritual Science. His latest book is The Clear Light, with a forward by Eckhart Tolle. His Books have been published in 20 languages while his articles and essays have been published in over 100 academic journals, magazines, and newspapers. He regularly appears in the media in the UK, and has been recently featured on Radio 4's The Moral Maze, BBC Breakfast, Radio FiveLive and TalkRadio. He writes articles for Scientific American and for Psychology Today. Eckhart Tolle has described his work as 'an important contribution to the shift in consciousness which is happening on our planet at present.' Steve lives in Manchester, England with his wife and three children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can start with the two free courses (Spiritual Emergency: Definition and Stories of Awakening) to get a feel for the program before committing to the paid courses.
No, CE credits are optional. Certification only requires completing all four required courses. CE credits are available as an add-on for licensed professionals who need professional development credits.
Yes, the practicum is always conducted in person. This hands-on component is essential for Level 1 certification and provides supervised practice with real-world scenarios.
You can still enroll in and complete all courses to gain knowledge and skills. However, you won't be able to receive the official certification until you meet one of the professional prerequisites: either authorization to counsel/provide psychotherapy from a licensing board, or documented experience facilitating support groups with a professional recommendation.
Yes, you can take the online courses in any order that works for you, though we recommend starting with the two free foundational courses first. However, you must complete all three online courses before attending the in-person practicum.
There's no strict deadline for completing the online courses - you have lifetime access to all course materials. However, you'll need to attend one of the scheduled in-person practicum sessions to complete your certification. Practicum sessions are typically offered 2-3 times per year.
You don't need to apply when you first enroll in courses. The certification application is due before or at the time you attend the in-person practicum. You can bring your completed application to the practicum or email it to info@IMHU.org in advance. Download the application and review the policies at any time to prepare.
If you need to miss a scheduled practicum, you can attend a future practicum session. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule. Note that for CE credit purposes, the APA requires full attendance - arriving more than 15 minutes late or leaving early from any session will forfeit all CE hours.
Yes! Payment plans and scholarship options are available. Click any enrollment button to learn more about financial assistance options and flexible payment arrangements that can make the program more accessible.
Level 1 provides comprehensive foundational knowledge about spiritual emergence and basic support skills, including an in-person practicum. Level 2 goes deeper with advanced topics, specialized training, and additional coursework. Level 1 is a prerequisite for Level 2 - you must complete Level 1 before enrolling in Level 2.
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Certification Requirements
Anyone can enroll in and complete the courses. To receive your official Level 1 Spiritual Emergence Coach® certification, complete these four steps:
Take All Online Courses
Complete all four required courses (two free foundational courses plus two paid courses).
Attend the Mandatory In-Person Practicum
After completing the online coursework, attend a 2-day intensive hands-on practicum where you'll practice your coaching skills with expert supervision and receive direct feedback. Practicum sessions are offered 2-3 times per year.
Meet Professional Prerequisites
You must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
Authorization to counsel or provide psychotherapy from the reputable licensing board in your state of country. Coach certification must be recognized by the International Coach Federation.
Prior experience facilitating support groups with a professional recommendation from someone who has observed and overseen your work
Complete Final Interview & Evaluation
After the Practicum, an IMHU representative will conduct a brief personal interview with you to discuss your readiness for certification as a Spiritual Emergence Coach®.
Complete Final Interview & Evaluation
Application Timing: You don't need to apply when you first enroll. Submit your certification application before or during the Practicum. Bring it with you or email it to info@IMHU.org in advance.