Most coaches lose clients between sessions. And it’s got nothing to do with their coaching ability.
It’s the blank page before the call. The scattered notes after. The session that felt great but left the client with zero clarity on what happens next.
Structure is what separates coaches who get referrals from coaches who constantly need new clients. And structure starts before you ever say hello.
These 21 coaching session templates give you a repeatable system for every niche, every client, and every stage of the coaching journey so you’re always walking in prepared and your clients are always walking out with momentum.
21 Coaching Session Templates You Can Borrow (Quick Snapshot)
Every template on this list serves a different stage of the coaching journey. Find the one that fits where you are right now:
- Best for first impressions: Disco/Demo Coaching Template
- Best for session planning: Coaching Session Plan Template
- Best for back-end systems: The Ultimate Resource Library for Coaches
- Best for weekly check-ins: Simply Coach Coaching Session Plan Template
- Best for mapping full engagements: Coaching Plan Template
- Best for launching quickly: Renew You! 3-Month Coaching Program Template
- Best for packaging your offers: Bonsai Coaching Package Template
- Best for designing high-ticket programs: Coaching Program Blueprint
- Best for personal development coaching: Mind Valley Coaching Templates
- Best for life transformation sessions: Mind Valley Life Coaching Template
- Best for complex multi-dimensional issues: BASIC ID Template for Multi-Modal Coaching
- Best for tracking credentialing hours: ICF Coaching Log Template
- Best for goal-setting and problem-solving: GROW Coaching Template
- Best for setting realistic goals: SMART Goals Worksheet
- Best for client follow-through: Goal Planning and Achievement Tracker
- Best for corporate performance coaching: AHIR Coaching Plan Template
- Best for mindfulness-based sessions: Mindful Coaching Templates Toolkit
- Best for health and wellness coaches: Dr. Kim Foster Coaching Template
- Best for managing client relationships digitally: Coaching Client Portal Template
- Best for detailed session records: Care Patron Coaching Session Notes Template
- Best for corporate documentation: BNSSG Coaching Session Notes Template
What Is a Coaching Session?
A coaching session is a scheduled meeting between you and your client to facilitate growth and achieve specific goals. It’s where the transformation happens.
During this time, you help them:
- Set specific and measurable goals.
- Identify obstacles and mental barriers.
- Create an action plan for success.
Why is a coaching session important?
Every session is a chapter in your client’s success story and these ten reasons are why these sessions matter:
- Clarifies goals: It helps clients get crystal clear on what they actually want to achieve.
- Builds accountability: Regular check-ins make sure the client actually does the work they promised.
- Uncovers blind spots: You can see things the client might miss on their own.
- Creates momentum: Consistent meetings keep the energy high and the progress moving forward.
- Develops skills: It provides a safe space for clients to practice new behaviors or skills.
- Solves problems: Sessions offer a structured environment to tackle obstacles head-on.
- Provides support: It assures the client they don’t have to do this alone.
- Tracks progress: You can measure how far they have come since the start.
- Boosts confidence: Celebrating small wins in a session builds the client’s belief in themselves.
- Deepens trust: Every interaction strengthens the bond within the coaching relationship.
What Are Coaching Session Templates?
A coaching session template is a pre-designed framework that guides the flow and content of your meetings.
It acts as a roadmap, ensuring you cover all necessary points without getting sidetracked. That means you know exactly where to take the conversation.
Instead of going blank every time you meet a client, your structure is set ahead of time, so you can just focus on coaching instead of worrying about everything else.
Why use a coaching session template
Using a template isn’t about being robotic and strict. It’s about being prepared. Here are cases when you should use one:
- Discovery calls: To guide a lead through a sales conversation without getting lost.
- First coaching session: To set the tone for the session and establish clear expectations right away.
- Progress reviews: To systematically look back at what’s been achieved over the last month.
- Group coaching: To make sure every participant feels valued and the conversation stays on track.
- Closing sessions: To wrap up the engagement professionally and discuss next steps.
What are the benefits of using coaching session templates?
A template makes your life easier and your business more professional, plus these five key benefits of using one:
- Saves time: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you start a coaching business or meet a new client.
- Keeps documentation consistent: Every client gets the same high-quality experience, which is important for a successful coaching practice.
- Reduces stress: You never have to worry about what to say next or how to fill the time.
- Improves focus: It keeps both you and the client focused on the goals, not just chatting.
- Signals professionalism: A structured approach shows you are an expert who knows how to lead.
Whether you’re a leadership coach or a mindset coach, using templates helps you get the work done.
21 Coaching Session Templates You Can Copy and Use
Most coaches spend more time preparing for sessions than actually running them. These 21 templates fix that.
From your first discovery call to your final session notes, every template on this list is ready to use, easy to customize, and built around what actually moves clients forward.
1. Disco/Demo Coaching Template (First coaching session template)
This Disco/Demo Coaching Template is designed for that crucial first interaction or discovery call. It helps you demonstrate value quickly and get coaching clients.
When to use: Use this for sales calls or free consultation sessions.
Key sections:
- Rapport-building questions: Get to know your potential clients and establish a good coaching relationship from the start.
- Pain point identification: Understand the challenges they face and what success looks like for them.
- Demo and pitch: Show them exactly why you’re the best fit for their need and close the deal.
EHQ customization tip: Script out your transition phrases so moving from coaching to selling feels natural.
2. Sample coaching session template (PDF)
This coaching session plan makes sure you cover all necessary ground in the allotted time. It’s a simple and effective coaching planner to keep your calls focused.
When to use: Use this to prepare for every coaching call to make sure you can cover everything needed within the schedule.
Key sections:
- Session phases: Covers the entire coaching session from welcoming to closing and key takeaways.
- Time: Sets an allocated duration for each phase.
- Key activities: Includes specific frameworks and notes to keep in mind per phase.
EHQ customization tip: Include a “Win of the Week” section to start every call on a positive note. You can also refer to previous coaching notes for continuity.
3. The Ultimate Resource Library for Coaches
This isn’t just one document. It’s an ultimate resource library that acts as a comprehensive coaching tool. It contains various forms that a template provides to streamline your operations.
When to use: Use these resources when setting up your back-end systems and coaching tools.
Key sections:
- Different guides: You can access all types of forms you need, like checklists, worksheets, ebooks, and more.
- Sorted into sections: You can quickly find what you need based on how this library’s organized.
EHQ customization tip: Brand these documents with your logo and colors to make your coaching practice look professional and recognizable.
4. Simply Coach coaching session example template
This is a straightforward template for planning productive sessions. It balances structure with the flexibility needed for coaching conversations.
When to use: Use this for standard weekly or bi-weekly check-in calls.
Key sections:
- Pre-session preparation: Helps set the focus of the coaching session.
- Session goals: Specifies what you want to achieve during the session, your role, and your client’s responsibilities.
- Key discussion points: You can easily take note of the takeaways your client has.
EHQ customization tip: Add a section for “Coach’s Intuition” to note down gut feelings you want to explore later.
5. Coaching session template (PDF)
This coaching plan template helps you map out the entire engagement from start to finish. You can easily create a coaching plan that aligns with your long-term objectives.
When to use: Use this at the beginning of a coaching program to set the direction for the relationship.
Key sections:
- Individual coaching plan: Includes all the details of the coaching relationship, like the number and frequency of sessions, as well as client expectations and coaching methods.
- Coaching action plan: You can give this to your client to help them track and reflect on their goals and progress.
EHQ customization tip: Include a section for “Client Values” to make sure the plan aligns with what matters most to them.
6. Renew You! 3-Month Coaching Program Template
This is a done-for-you program structure that saves time. It gives you a ready-to-go, effective 12-week coaching program you can sell immediately.
When to use: Use this if you want to launch a new offer quickly without writing a curriculum from scratch.
Key sections:
- Coaching exercises: Clarifies what you offer your clients and your methodology.
- Tool inventory: Includes how-tos to improve the overall experience.
- Marketing materials: Helps with brand awareness and attracting the right clients.
EHQ customization tip: Rename the program modules to match your personal brand voice and coaching niche.
7. Bonsai package quotes templates for coaching classes
These package quotes templates help you present your coaching offers as a professional product or package. Great for clarifying deliverables and pricing for your online coaching business.
When to use: Use this when sending a proposal or agreement to a potential coaching client.
Key sections:
- Program overview: Defines the service breakdown and inclusions (e.g., calls, support, resources).
- Pricing: Helps you clarify the price and payment terms.
EHQ customization tip: Add a “Why Me” section to highlight your unique coaching experience and credentials.
8. Coaching Program Blueprint (Coaching sample session template)
This coaching sample session template helps you design a full coaching program from scratch. Ideal for mapping out a three-month or six-month coaching journey.
When to use: Use this when designing a new high-ticket coaching offer.
Key sections:
- Section: Divides your program into modules.
- Theme: Sets a focus area or topic per module.
- Activities: Lists the specific goals per module.
EHQ customization tip: Break the program down into phases (e.g., Discover, Design, Deliver) for better clarity.
9. Mind Valley coaching session plan example
These coaching session plan example templates are a go-to for coaches in the personal development space. They offer a variety of coaching structures that focus on whole-person growth.
When to use: Use these when you want to dive deeper into mindset and personal transformation.
Key sections:
- Streamlining the coaching process: Use these templates to simplify different engagements with the client (e.g., discover calls, selling your packages).
- Boosting coaching sessions: Add value to your coaching sessions, whether it’s the first call, one-on-one coaching, or a group session.
- Refining coaching style: These templates help improve niche sessions like business and employee coaching.
Customization tip: Combine elements from different templates to create a unique signature coaching program.
10. Mind Valley life coaching session notes template
This specific life coaching template helps life coaches guide clients through different life domains. You’ll pick up four effective coaching techniques on top of a coaching model to structure your sessions.
When to use: Use this for clients who feel stuck or want a general overhaul of their lifestyle.
Key sections:
- Core values: Help clients identify their life philosophy and how it shows in their daily life.
- Limiting beliefs exercise: Guide clients to understand the mental barriers holding them back.
- Future self: Inspire clients to visualize their future and the impact of the positive changes they’re making.
EHQ customization tip: Add a “Daily Rituals” section to help clients implement changes immediately.
11. BASIC ID Multi-Modal life coaching session template
This Multi-Modal life coaching session template covers seven specific domains of human experience. Great for life coaching sessions focused on breaking unhelpful habits.
When to use: Use this when a client has complex issues that span mental, physical, and emotional areas.
Key sections:
- Behavior: Analyzes the different aspects of a bad habit (Behavior, Affect, Sensation, Imagery, Cognitive, Interpersonal, Drugs/Biology).
- Potential solutions: Help clients brainstorm ways to manage negative behaviors.
EHQ customization tip: Simplify the labels if the terms feel too clinical for your specific client base.
12. ICF sample coaching log template
The ICF sample coaching log template is essential for anyone pursuing credentialing with the International Coaching Federation. This coaching log helps you track your paid and pro-bono hours accurately for documentation and future credentialing.
When to use: Use this from day one to track your experience for certification.
Key sections:
- Client information: Record the client’s name and contact information.
- Session details: Indicate the number of people coached, start and end date, and number of paid and pro bono hours.
EHQ customization tip: Keep a digital backup of this log in the cloud so you never lose your hard-earned hours.
13. GROW Coaching Template
This is one of the most popular frameworks used by leadership coaching experts and managers worldwide. Focuses on four key stages to guide the client toward a solution.
When to use: Use this when you need a reliable structure for problem-solving or goal-setting in any niche.
Key sections:
- Goal: What do you want to achieve?
- Reality: Where are you now?
- Options: What could you do?
- Will: What will you do?
EHQ customization tip: Add a “Tactics” section under Options to brainstorm specific actions for their action plan.
14. SMART Goals Worksheet
The SMART Goals Worksheet is a classic tool for setting effective coaching plans. Use it to make sure that the goals your client sets are realistic and achievable.
When to use: Use this whenever a client sets a new goal.
Key sections:
- Specific: Asks for the What, How and Why of the client’s goals.
- Measurable: Defines each short-term goal and how it’s achieved.
- Achievable: Makes sure goals are attainable.
- Realistic: Check that the goals are within reach given the current situation.
- Time-bound: Sets a timeline for achieving goals.
EHQ customization tip: Add a “Reward” section so the client knows how they will celebrate achieving the goal.
15. Goal Planning and Achievement Tracker
This goal planning and achievement tracker helps clients track progress between sessions. It moves beyond setting goals to actually managing the daily execution.
When to use: Use this for clients who struggle with consistency or follow-through.
Key sections:
- Goal: Ask clients to record their weekly goals.
- Weekly progress review: Use this to track successes and feelings throughout the week.
EHQ customization tip: Make this digital using coaching software or a simple spreadsheet for real-time tracking.
16. AHIR Coaching Plan Template
This employee coaching plan template is designed for corporate or HR settings. Perfect for employee coaching where performance improvement is the main goal.
When to use: Use this for performance reviews or developmental coaching within an organization.
Key sections:
- Key objectives: List of main goals to be achieved during coaching.
- Action steps: Turn objectives into practical tasks and activities.
- Timeline: When should these be completed?
- Responsibilities: Who’s accountable for progress?
- Success metrics: How do you know that goals have been achieved?
EHQ customization tip: Adapt the language to fit the specific company culture or department you are working with.
17. Mindful Coaching Templates Toolkit
This toolkit focuses on mindfulness and presence within the session. Perfect for coaches who incorporate meditation or awareness work.
When to use: Use this to help clients slow down and reduce stress during your time together.
Key sections:
- Coaching tools: Includes worksheets you can customize and share with clients (e.g., the Wheel of Life, Positive Habits and Role Models).
EHQ customization tip: Record short audio meditations that align with the template for clients to use between sessions.
18. Dr. Kim Foster Coaching Template
Dr. Kim Foster’s signature coaching template is excellent for health and wellness coaches. It helps you build a signature program that supports lifestyle change and health outcomes.
When to use: Use this if you are a health and wellness coach looking for niche-specific tools.
Key sections:
- Simple framework: Defines your inclusions and prices.
- Bonus materials: Checklists, handouts and a Client-Grabbing Title template.
EHQ customization tip: Add a disclaimer section to clarify the boundary between health coaching and medical advice.
19. Coaching Client Portal Template (Notion)
This gives you a template for a digital workspace that organizes your entire coaching engagement. It serves as a central hub for notes, resources, and scheduling.
When to use: Use this to manage one-on-one coaching relationships professionally.
Key sections:
- Navigation: Clickable menu to make it easier for clients to explore the different sections.
- Sessions: Displays all booked client sessions.
- Resource hub: Includes videos, links and articles relevant to your client.
EHQ customization tip: Create a welcome video and embed it on the homepage of the portal for a personal touch.
20. Care Patron coaching session notes template
This coaching session notes template is great for tracking individual client processes, so you have organized records of every interaction.
When to use: Use this if you need detailed records of each client.
Key sections:
- Session focus: List topics to discuss for coaching sessions.
- Client insights: Note the realizations and inputs of your clients.
- Action steps: Record specific tasks and plans moving forward.
EHQ customization tip: Add a “Next Session Focus” field so you know exactly where to pick up next time.
21. BNSSG coaching session plan template (Word)
BNSSG’s coaching session plan template provides a formal way to document session notes and agreements.
When to use: Use this in corporate environments or group coaching where documentation is required.
Key sections:
- Outcome: What do you want to achieve?
- Situation: What’s your current situation?
- Choices and consequences: What options do you have and what are their impacts?
- Actions: What actions will you take?
- Review: When and how will you review the progress?
EHQ customization tip: Include a signature box for both coach and client to formally agree on the action steps.
How to Structure a Coaching Session (Checklist)
Knowing how to structure a coaching session is just as important as the template itself.
Creating a consistent structure helps you deliver effective coaching plans and keeps clients on track.
Here’s a six-step guide for structuring your coaching sessions:
☐ Prepare before hopping on the call: Review your session notes from the last meeting.
☐ Start with a check-In: Ask how they are feeling and celebrate any wins from the previous week to build rapport and break the ice.
☐ Ask the client what they want to focus on: This empowers the client and makes sure the coaching session is relevant to their immediate needs.
☐ Facilitate the coaching conversation: Ask powerful coaching questions to provoke thought and uncover solutions.
☐ Create an action plan: Move from discussion to concrete steps, so your client knows exactly what they will do before the next session.
☐ Close the session productively: Confirm their timeline and how they will track progress. Then end with encouragement and confirmation of the next appointment.
You can also refer to coaching statistics to get a bigger picture of what works.
How long should a coaching session be?
The typical one-on-one coaching session typically lasts 45-60 minutes, while group sessions often run longer, around 60-90 minutes.
When managing time, it’s not just about running the clock but making sure every minute is valuable. To respect your client’s time:
- Start on schedule: Follow the allotted time by beginning promptly.
- Set the agenda early: Breaking the ice is important but don’t let the chit-chat drag on for more than five minutes.
- Watch the clock: Keep a timer visible so you can pace the coaching conversations.
- Leave room for action: Reserve the last ten minutes specifically for designing the action plan.
- Know when to stop: End the session on time to maintain boundaries and professionalism.
This Is How You Sell High-Ticket Offers Easily
Using coaching session templates is one of the smartest moves you can make for your business. You can focus on your coaching style and your client’s needs, instead of worrying about what comes next.
Knowing how to structure your sessions is great, but don’t stop there. To have a thriving coaching business, you need to attract premium clients who’ll pay what you’re worth.
Want to create and sell high-ticket offers and earn $3K-10K per client? My 3-Step Blueprint to Become a Highly-Paid Coach has got you covered.
- Create a Magic Pill offer: See a need? Fill a need and build an irresistible coaching package your ideal clients can’t walk away from.
- Start your own Lead Generation Machine: Get in front of new audiences who’ll line up to work with you.
- Sell confidently and naturally: Establish a sales funnel and scripts that make it easy for leads to say YES.
Yes! Teach me how to close high-ticket coaching deals now!
