Setting the Benchmark for Recovery Coaching in Canada.

We protect, uplift and connect the recovery coaching profession.

Trained recovery coach professionals bringing our attitude, knowledge and skills to those
who need us most.

The Rise of Unqualified Coaching

As recovery coaching becomes more recognized, there’s also a risk: people stepping into the role without proper training, oversight, or ethical grounding. This can lead to:

  • Confusion for clients about what to expect

  • Blurred lines with therapy or treatment

  • Harm caused by poor boundaries or unskilled support

  • Erosion of public trust in the profession

That’s why credentialing matters. And that’s why Recovery Coaches Canada is leading the charge to uphold the profession through the RCC Standard.

The RCC Standard

The RCC Standard is more than a credential—it’s a commitment to excellence.
Those who hold the ARCC (Accredited Recovery Coach of Canada) designation have demonstrated:

  • Completion of core recovery coach training

  • Demonstrated competencies in real coaching sessions

  • Adherence to a national Code of Ethics

  • Understanding of trauma-informed practice and cultural safety

  • Commitment to ongoing professional development

Why It Matters

Recovery Coaches are more than helpers—they are guides, witnesses, and advocates for those navigating the complex and courageous path of recovery. At their best, recovery coaches bring lived experience, ethical presence, and practical skill to the people and communities they serve.

As the profession grows, so does the need to protect the integrity of what a legitimate recovery coach truly is.

For people seeking a recovery coach, the ARCC designation is a signal of safety, skill, and integrity.

For systems and organizations, it offers a trusted benchmark for hiring or contracting.

For coaches, it is a pathway to professionalization and recognition.

Pathways to Certification
and Credentialing

It’s likely that many coming here will be seeking clarity on the different kinds of credentialing and what they mean.

If you’re feeling lost on this, you’re not alone.

Currently, there are a few types of credentialing in Canada. Recovery Coaches Canada is looking to offer a clear pathway through accreditation that will have meaning and weight for professionals and the organizations for which they work.

Latest News & Updates

Coaches Collaborative Recap: Let AI Be Your Coach?

Our most recent Coaches Collaborative was a bold and thought-provoking dive into the role of artificial intelligence in recovery coaching. Facilitated by Norman Fox, the session brought together a diverse group of coaches—some skeptical, some curious, some excited—all exploring how AI might support or challenge our work.

FAQ

  • An ARCC is an Accredited Recovery Coach of Canada. People with this designation have cleared rigorous criteria to obtain this designation.
    They also adhere to a stringent set of ethics, ensuring they are always working for the best interest of the recovreree (the client).

  • Recovery Coaches Canada (RCC) is a national not-for-profit created by recovery coaches in service of recovery coaches. RCC is working to raise the legitimacy of recovery coaching in Canada, while serving it’s membership in several ways, including , but not limited to advocacy, continuing education, special rates on insurance and defending of the fidelity of the recovery coach role.

  • The accreditation was intentional for a few good reasons.
    One primary reason is the preserve the non-hierarchal role of a recovery coach.
    Raising the quality of recovery coaching in Canada is the primary goal of RCC.
    Prior to the 1980s, addictions counsellors were unregulated and fulfilling the role of non-hierarchal peer support.
    But the lack of regulation was causing some problems, so certification became necessary. An unwanted effect of that is that it created a hierarchy.
    RCC wants to avoid falling into that same trap, preferring instead an accreditation, acknowledging a level of skills and knowledge.

  • RCC is a membership and accreditation body. As such, we do not recommend recovery coach training organizations.
    We encourage you to do your homework, as you will be required to pass a skills assessment by 80 per cent.
    Good training is no guarantee, it can make the difference in your accreditation success.

  • Advantages of the ARCC Designation:

    1. Professional Credibility and Recognition

    • The ARCC designation demonstrates you've met standardized professional criteria, showing clients, organizations, and peers that you’re committed to excellence.

    • It helps establish trust and confidence among clients and referring professionals who seek assurance about your skills and ethical standards.

    2. Increased Marketability

    • Holding a professional credential differentiates you from coaches without formal credentials, potentially attracting more clients and professional opportunities.

    • It helps you stand out when applying for positions within healthcare or recovery-oriented organizations that may require certification or prefer credentialed applicants.

    3. Higher Earning Potential

    • Coaches with recognized professional credentials generally have greater earning power, as they can justify higher rates based on their validated expertise.

    • Organizations frequently offer better compensation and opportunities for advancement to credentialed professionals.

    4. Networking and Community

    • Being part of the credentialed community gives you access to exclusive professional networks, mentoring opportunities, and peer support.

    • These connections can significantly enhance your growth, providing opportunities for collaboration and continuous learning.

    5. Access to Continuing Education and Resources

    • Credentialed recovery coaches typically have easier access to professional development resources, training opportunities, and ongoing education.

    • Continuous education ensures you remain knowledgeable about best practices, emerging trends, and new tools in recovery coaching.

    6. Ethical Accountability and Standards

    • Credentialing reinforces adherence to a recognized code of ethics and professional conduct, elevating your practice and protecting both you and your clients.

    • Clients often feel safer and more comfortable working with coaches accountable to professional ethics standards.

Coaching is not a casual conversation or a cheerleading session—it’s a professional role rooted in ethical boundaries, ongoing learning, and accountability. We’re committed to helping Recovery Coaching in Canada thrive.

Will you join us?