A New Path For Psychology Graduates
You Studied To Help Others. You Did The Work. Now What?
Valiance Coaching Institute is a program that prepares psychology and other counseling graduates for a professional coaching career — and a credential to match. If this sounds like something you're looking for, we'd love to hear from you!
The Numbers
Here's What Nobody Tells You When You Declare Your Major
Psychology BAs Awarded Yearly
Psychology is one of the most popular majors in the United States, and one of the least supported after graduation.
Go On To A Related Graduate Program
Only 14% of psychology bachelor's degree holders go on to earn a graduate degree in psychology. The other 86% are largely left without a clear path.
From Undergrad To Clinical Licensure
The path from a bachelor's degree to a licensed clinical psychologist takes 8 to 10 years — not counting the cost.
In Average Debt For A Psych Graduate
Approximately 90% of doctoral psychology graduates carry significant student debt, with median loan amounts approaching $200,000.
There is a path between doing nothing with your degree and spending a decade in graduate school. That path is what we're building.
There's Another Path
Are you the type of person who has always enjoyed giving advice, support, and structure to others' lives? Then this is what you are meant to be, without the sacrifice of 10+ years in school, and definitely not owing $200,000+ in student debt afterward. If you truly want to help, then this is the program for you. We don't look at your GPA; we look for heart. We bring that instinct out of you.
Who This Is For
Two Types, Same Objective
You're still in school.
You're studying psychology, behavioral science, counseling, social work, or a related field. You want to work directly with people after graduation, and you're starting to wonder whether the clinical route is realistic, affordable, or even what you actually want. You can start building toward a coaching career before graduating (on weekends), and with the right resources, you will succeed.
You've already graduated.
You finished your degree and are working in an adjacent field (HR, case management, social services, training and development, etc.), and you feel the gap between what you studied and what you do every day. You haven't given up on using your degree the way you intended: helping others. You're capable of working around a weekend-based class schedule for a few hours each week.
What Makes Us Different
We Are A Second Pathway To Healing
Valiance Coaching Institute is launching its first cohort at a discounted rate. We will teach you in an 18-week virtual program how to use your psychology background and desire to help others to your advantage. You can be a great Coach; your education was not wasted.
What's Included
Everything You Get From Us
Live Cohort-Based Program
You'll be joining a small founding cohort of around 6–8 students who move through the program together in a synchronous manner, as well as individual mentor sessions.
Intensive Curriculum
Direct teaching, coaching practice, and feedback from Ryan and Lindsey, every single week of the cohort. You will receive 18 weeks of training, access to a resource database, videos, and more.
THE CBWC Certification
Earn the Certified Behavioral Wellness Coach designation, awarded by Valiance Coaching Institute upon graduation. This credential is designed to give you a professional coaching identity today and prepare you for ICF credentialing tomorrow.
ICF ACC Training Hours
Our program is structured around ICF core competency standards. Graduates will have completed the training hours, mentor coaching, and observed practice sessions required to pursue ACC credentialing through ICF.
Access to the AI Practice Lab
Practice live coaching conversations between sessions in a safe sandbox built specifically for skill-building reps. Six live avatars that talk like real clients!
Learn How To Run Your Practice
The journey doesn't end with graduation. We aim to ensure that you have the training and knowledge to run and market your own coaching practice.
Your Coaches
Who You'll Learn From
The founding cohort works directly with both instructors throughout all 18 weeks — not in recorded lectures watched alone, but in live sessions, mentor coaching, and direct feedback on your work.
Ryan W. McClellan, MS
Lead Coach & Co-Founder
Ryan is a coaching professional specializing in Mindset Coaching and Organizational Consulting. He bridges a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Marketing, but has remained a self-made Mindset and Organizational Coach for 16 years through Valiance Coaching Group, LLC.
Lindsey Shuford, PCC
Lead Instructor & Co-Founder
Lindsey Shuford is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Lead Instructor at Valiance Coaching Institute. She brings deep expertise in coaching methodology and practitioner development, and will work directly with every student she meets throughout the Valiance program.
The founding cohort is intentionally small. Every student is interviewed before acceptance. Every student works directly with both instructors throughout the full program. We are not looking for the most qualified applicant. We are looking for the right one.
Apply
Apply For The Founding Cohort
Every applicant gets a one-on-one interview with both coaches to determine fit and eligibility. Even if you don't get in, we'll send resources you can use either way.
We won't spam you. We'll only reach out about your application.