Certified Personal Medicine Coaching

Personal Medicine is medicine — but it’s not a pharmaceutical, and it’s not prescribed by a doctor or nurse. Personal Medicine is what we DO, not what we take. It comes from within us and reflects our human resilience and inner wisdom.

As Pat Deegan explains:

“The quietness and connectedness I feel when I’m out in nature walking each morning is powerful medicine.”

Personal Medicine is about reclaiming the word medicine.

Personal Medicine is an evidence-based practice. Research shows that:

• People who use Personal Medicine become more active in their self-care, leading to better health outcomes.

• Once people begin using Personal Medicine, they continue to use it.

• Over time, people add to their Personal Medicine, strengthening their ability to manage distress and challenges.

• Certified Personal Medicine Coaches report increased confidence supporting people with challenges such as anxiety, anger, sleep difficulties, distressing voices, troubling beliefs, oppression, and more.

A Certified Personal Medicine Coach is trained to support people in discovering, strengthening, and using their Personal Medicine in recovery and everyday life.

Through the certification course, coaches:

• Discover their own Personal Medicine

• Learn Personal Medicine tools

• Practice five core coaching skills

• Become experts in supporting others to use Personal Medicine effectively

As a Certified Personal Medicine Coach, you receive:

• Certification to use Personal Medicine in your work

• The CPMC Manual
• Digital access to: 
  • The Personal Medicine Worksheet
  • All Personal Medicine Cards
  • All Personal Medicine Guides
• Access to powerful recovery videos about Personal Medicine
• 25% off Personal Medicine Guides

• The Personal Medicine Workshop Toolkit (includes a conference-ready workshop template so you can present on Personal Medicine)
• Listing on our website
• Membership in the Certified Personal Medicine Coach Community (private Slack room and Facebook Group)
• Individual access to Pat Deegan's Academy + Library for continued learning and extensive resources
• Direct access to Pat Deegan & Associates

^{The annual fee of $60 per year occurs on the anniversary of your graduation date and includes continued access to all of the above.}

The CPMC program is open to anyone interested in supporting recovery and wellbeing, including: Peer Specialists, clinicians, therapists, case managers, psychiatrists, rehab staff, inpatient staff, ACT teams, addiction counselors, family members, friends, and others.

Candidates should:

• Have basic coaching skills (non-judgmental stance, active listening, walking side-by-side)

• Be comfortable using basic technology (online lessons, video calls, forums)

• Be willing to actively participate in the learning community

• Commit to the full program

• Create a distraction-free learning environment for online participation

The CPMC training is an 11 week* online program combining:

• Self-paced e-learning

• Weekly practice exercises

• Group video coaching calls with trainers

• Interactive discussion forums

Each week, new content is unlocked, including videos, quizzes, and practice assignments. Candidates apply what they learn in real-world settings and share reflections in the community.

Group coaching calls provide space to deepen learning, practice skills, and build confidence as a Personal Medicine Coach.

*PDA is currently piloting a revised 12-week version in 4/2026

To become certified, candidates must:

• Attend all group coaching calls

• Complete all assignments and practice activities

• Pass weekly quizzes

• Pass a final written examination demonstrating understanding of Personal Medicine concepts and coaching skills

Pat Deegan & Associates trainers support candidates throughout the process.

Refund policy:
Refunds are not available. If a candidate is unable to meet requirements, PDA works closely with them to explore additional steps or coursework to support successful certification.

Most candidates spend 2–3 hours per week completing:

• E-learning modules

• Quizzes

• Practice activities

• Community discussions

All training is delivered online through:

• E-learning modules

• Group coaching meetings (webinar format)

• Real-world practice

No travel is required.

You will need:

• Reliable internet access

• A computer with a webcam

• Basic computer and digital skills

The certification includes 11 clock hours, which can be submitted to peer and clinical certification boards.

How much does Certification cost?
The Certified Personal Medicine Coach (CPMC) certification costs $1,250 per person.
An annual recertification fee of $60 is due each year on the anniversary of your graduation date and includes continued access to certification benefits and resources.

What payment methods are accepted?
You may pay by credit card or PayPal directly on our website when you register.
If you prefer to pay by purchase order or invoice, contact us and we will help you get set up.

Can I pay in installments?
Yes. A 6 or 12-month payment plan is available and can be selected during checkout.

What if I can’t afford Certification?
We are committed to making this training accessible. Options include:

• One free seat per cohort, awarded through a lottery

• Partial scholarships

• Employer or organizational sponsorship

• Tuition reimbursement (check with your employer)

• Local, county, or state mental health authority funding

Can my organization pay for or sponsor Certification?
Yes. Organizations may sponsor individual staff members or request a custom cohort for multiple participants, with scheduling tailored to organizational needs.

Yes. Organizations can request a custom cohort to certify multiple staff members on a schedule that works for them.

In addition, Certified Personal Medicine Coaches may pursue Train-the-Trainer (CPMC-T) certification, enabling individuals and organizations to deliver Personal Medicine Coaching more cost-effectively.

To get started, contact us directly.

Personal Medicine Coaches recertify each year to ensure a high standard of fidelity. Recertification grants continued license to use Personal Medicine in your work, access to the Certified Personal Medicine Coach community, consultation with PDA experts and access to the most up to date resources.

The process for recertification includes reviewing new Personal Medicine materials and submitting a Personal Medicine experience report.

There is an annual recertification fee of $60 (occurring on the anniversary of your graduation date).

No problem! In most cases, you can restore your Certification after a lapse. Send us an email at [email protected] to get started.