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. It is part of our human resilience and inner wisdom. 

Pat says, “Personal Medicine is ‘medicine’ because the things we DO are as important to our recovery as any medication we may take. For instance, the quietness and the connectedness I feel when I'm out in nature walking each morning is very powerful medicine. If I'm not using that powerful Personal Medicine in my life, then things begin to get off track. The idea of Personal Medicine is all about reclaiming this word medicine and making it our own again.”

A Certified Personal Medicine Coach is an expert in supporting people as they discover and use Personal Medicine in their recovery.

As a Certified Personal Medicine Coach, you are:

• Certified to use Personal Medicine in your work
• Provided with the Personal Medicine CPMC Manual
• Granted access to the Personal Medicine Worksheet, all Personal Medicine Cards, and all Personal Medicine Guides (digital versions)
• Given access to powerful recovery videos about Personal Medicine
• Given access to discounted Personal Medicine Guides (25% off)

• Able to use the Personal Medicine Workshop Toolkit
  • Includes a standard conference workshop template & gives you the ability to present on Personal Medicine at conferences
• Featured on our website
• Added to our Certified Personal Medicine Coach Community through our private Slack room and Facebook Group
• Provided individual access to Pat Deegan's Academy + Library for continued learning and extensive resources
• Given 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.}

Becoming a Certified Personal Medicine Coach is open to anyone: Peer Specialists, Case Managers, Therapists, Psych Rehab Staff, ACT teams, Inpatient Staff, Addictions Counselors, Psychiatrists, Family Members, Friends etc. 

Candidates should:

• Possess basic coaching skills including: approaching challenges in a non-judgemental way, the ability to walk side-by-side with people, and active listening skills
• Have basic digital literacy skills that enable participation in online lessons, video calls, and online chat community
• Be prepared to proactively contribute to the class as a learning community
• Commit to the entire duration of the program
• Create a distraction-free learning environment remotely, that enables them to be fully present and engaged

Most people need 2-3 hours per week to complete coursework, quizzes, practice and community postings.

We use a combination of E-Learning, Live Webinar Coaching and real-world practice. No travel is required.

The path to certification includes live webinars and e-learning courses. You will need reliable internet, a webcam and basic computer skills.

To become a Certified Personal Medicine Coach, you must:

• Attend all live Coaching Calls
• Complete all Assignments
• Pass final Examination 

If I don't meet all the requirements, can I get a refund?

Although we are unable to offer refunds, we do work closely with each candidate throughout the Certification process. If, for some reason, you are unable to meet all requirements, we are happy to explore additional steps/coursework to support you in reaching Certification.

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

How much does Certification cost?

The cost is $1250 per person with a $60 recertification fee (due annually on graduation date).

How can I pay for Certification?

You can pay by credit card or PayPal right on our site. Simply choose the cohort you would like to join, select "Register" and enter your payment information. If you'd prefer to pay via purchase order/invoice, send us a note and we will help you get started.

Can I pay monthly instead of all at once?

Sure. Send us a note and we will help you get set up.

What if I can't afford Certification?

We offer a free seat for each cohort (based on a lottery).

Additionally, many folks reach out to local, county or state mental health authorities to request sponsorship.

Organizations or programs you work at may also be able to assist with funding. Check with your organization to see if they offer tuition reimbursement.  

Absolutely. An organization can request a special cohort to sponsor multiple staff members in becoming Certified. Send us a message to get started. 

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 also 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.