Emotionspädagoge werden

About the Institute for Emotional Pedagogy®

A specialised institute for professional emotional competence in leadership and collaboration. We support people in positions of responsibility to act clearly under pressure, understand emotional dynamics and guide others with confidence. Our recognised training pathways lead to certification as an Emotional Pedagogue (IHK).

The institute was founded to make emotional competence systematically teachable — as a professional qualification for people who work with others and carry responsibility.

Our mission

We strengthen the emotional competence of people in responsibility roles — so they can act clearly under pressure, communicate effectively and guide others with confidence.

We work with people who carry responsibility for others — in education, social and health professions, HR, organisations, and self-employed professional roles.

Practical

Short, focused sessions with tools you can use the same day in meetings, conversations, teams and client work.

Human

Warm, down-to-earth guidance that respects real workloads, emotional dynamics, and organisational contexts.

Recognised

Quality-assured programmes with certificates and IHK-certified training that count as formal professional development.

At a glance

Katrin Michl

headshot
Katrin Michl

Founder of the Private Institute for Emotional Pedagogy®

Based in Bavaria (Germany), working with participants across the German-speaking region.

Senior education director with extensive experience in teaching and professional training.

Founder of Emotional Pedagogy® as a structured method for teaching emotional competence.

Developer of clear, repeatable tools for emotionally demanding professional situations.

Focus on professional education and structured competence development — not therapy or clinical treatment.

Development of the Emotional Pedagogy® method

Practice in the education system

Teaching in schools and working with learners revealed how strongly emotions influence learning, safety, cooperation and collaboration.

Professional reality

Crises, conflicts, responsibility and boundary-setting in professional life made clear that emotional competence is essential — and must go beyond intuition alone.

Method development

Research, teaching practice and professional experience were translated into clear, repeatable tools — for perceiving, regulating and using emotions constructively in professional roles.

Institute foundation

The Private Institute for Emotional Pedagogy® was founded to offer structured training programmes that strengthen emotional competence where it is most needed: in people who carry responsibility for others.

Today, people learn at the Private Institute for Emotional Pedagogy® to consciously develop emotional competence and apply it in their professional and personal lives.

Our credentials

IHK

Recognised professional education routes

DEKRA

Quality checks for processes and materials

ZFU

Compliance for distance-learning formats

Funding options

Funding options may apply by region and employer

All certificate programmes follow assessed quality standards and recognised professional frameworks.

Who we work with

If you carry responsibility for people, this training helps you stay clear and steady, even in emotionally demanding situations.

Professionals in education & teachers

De-escalate tension in classrooms and meetings, set clear boundaries with students and parents, and stay steady in conflict situations.

Social & health professionals

Hold emotionally loaded situations with clients, patients and families, without losing your own stability or overstepping your role.

HR & people managers

Navigate difficult conversations around performance, conflicts and restructuring, and support healthier team dynamics.

Team & project leads in NGOs, public sector and organisations

Guide teams through pressure, change and crisis while maintaining orientation and emotional safety within the group.

Self-employed helping professionals

Therapists, counsellors, trainers and consultants who want a clear, recognised framework for the emotional side of their work — beyond personal intuition.

Wie Emotionspädagogik® den beruflichen Alltag verändert

More than a training programme

This training was far more than a professional development course. It was a journey to myself. I understood old patterns better, perceived emotions on a new level and gained enormous clarity — both personally and professionally. Many of the methods now flow naturally into my everyday work.

Manuela B.

Head of HR, Dental Practice · Emotional Pedagogue® (IHK)

Finally understanding how emotions work

The Emotional Pedagogy training is exactly what I had been searching for for years. Here I learned to perceive my own emotions and those of others more consciously and to deal with them constructively. Many of the methods I now use in my work with my team and in trainer education — with impressive results

Claudia B.

Dance Educator · Emotional Pedagogue® (IHK)

The courage to pass something on to others

The closing of the training was a very special moment for me. Seeing what ideas and concepts had emerged in the group was incredibly inspiring. I was especially moved by the feedback on my presentation — it encouraged me to reflect even more deeply on my own path and to pass on more of what I had learned to others.

Carina P.

Marketing Director · Emotional Pedagogue® (IHK)

Discovering new strengths

Through the training, I was able to discover sides of myself that had long been there only in the background. Working with emotions helped me recognise patterns more clearly and perceive new strengths in myself. What was especially inspiring was the appreciative way Katrin guides people and shows them what already lies within them.

Karina Ö.

School Director, Emotional Pedagogue® (IHK)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about the institute, our training paths, certifications, and how to get started. 

What exactly is Emotional Pedagogy® and how is it different from "classical" emotional intelligence trainings? +
Emotional Pedagogy® is a structured pedagogical approach to developing emotional competence. Unlike many emotional intelligence trainings, it goes beyond models and personal reflection to teach concrete, learnable methods.

Participants learn step by step to:
• consciously perceive emotional signals
• regulate their own reactions
• understand emotional dynamics in conversations and groups
• and use these skills constructively in their professional lives.

The approach combines insights from pedagogy, psychology and practice and translates them into clear, repeatable tools for real professional situations.
Who are your trainings designed for — and who are they not for? +
Our programmes are designed for people who work with others or carry responsibility for people — for example in education, leadership, counselling, HR or social professions.

People who want to consciously develop their emotional competence will also find a structured starting point in the entry course.

Our programmes are not suitable for people seeking therapeutic treatment or personal healing. Emotional Pedagogy® is professional development — not therapy and not coaching.
Is this therapy or coaching, or is it strictly professional education? +
The institute's programmes are professional development.

Emotional Pedagogy® teaches competences that can be applied in professional contexts — such as leadership, communication, conflict resolution or collaboration.

The training does not replace therapy and does not treat mental health conditions. Participants work with their experiences, but always within the framework of professional competence development.
How are the trainings recognised (IHK, DEKRA, ZFU) and what does that mean in practice? +
The institute's programmes follow assessed quality standards and recognised professional frameworks.

IHK: Parts of the training path lead to IHK certificates in Emotional Pedagogy.
DEKRA: The Private Institute for Emotional Pedagogy® GmbH is an AZAV-audited organisation with DEKRA certification.
ZFU: The online training to become an Emotional Pedagogue® is a ZFU-approved format used in the self-learning component of the Emotional Pedagogue® (IHK) training.
BAFA: Katrin Michl is listed as a BAFA coach, and consulting through her may be eligible for funding under BAFA guidelines for SMEs.

For participants, this means the programmes are structured, follow verified quality standards and can in many cases be recognised as professional development.
How does the IHK training path work from the entry course to Emotional Pedagogue® (IHK)? +
The training path consists of several progressive stages:

1. Entry course — Foundations of emotional competence (recommended preparation, not a prerequisite for IHK course participation)
A 21-day online course introducing perception, self-regulation and emotional dynamics.

2. Emotional Pedagogy Companion (IHK)
Deepening the foundations with a focus on self-experience, neurophysiological processes and emotional self-regulation.

3. Specialist Emotional Pedagogy® (IHK)
Method training and intensive practical application of tools, including in group formats.

4. Emotional Pedagogue® (IHK)
Development of your own concepts, projects or offerings based on the Emotional Pedagogy method.
Can my employer pay for or reimburse the training — and what documents do you provide? +
Many participants have their training fully or partially funded by their employer.

Since the programmes are designed as professional development, they can often be supported through training budgets or HR development funds.

For HR departments or supervisors, we can provide:
• an official invoice
• information about the training path
• and a description of content and competences

For self-employed professionals, additional funding programmes may be available depending on your region.
What time investment should I expect for each format? +
The time commitment depends on the format. The entry course is designed to fit alongside work and family life.

On average, participants plan about 3–4 hours per week in the entry course for video lessons, exercises and reflection.

In the IHK certificate courses, expect an additional time commitment of at least 2–4 hours per week for live sessions and exchange formats, plus 5 full-day in-person events.

For IHK training participants, 80% attendance is mandatory. All live online formats are recorded and can be made up. Remote participation in live events is largely possible by arrangement.
Do I need a specific professional background or prior training? +
No.

Participants come from very different backgrounds — for example education, leadership, HR, counselling or social professions.

More important than your professional background is the willingness to engage with emotional dynamics and try out new tools in everyday life.
What languages are the trainings available in? +
Currently, the trainings are only available in German. Individual programmes can also be requested in English.
Are the trainings online or in person? +
The programmes combine different formats.

Part of the content is delivered online, so participants can learn flexibly. In addition, there are live sessions and exchange formats that support group-based learning.

Certain training levels also include in-person components. The IHK certificate courses always take place as hybrid models.
What if I'm not sure whether the training is right for me? +
We offer a free info session for anyone interested.

In this online session, you can:
• ask questions about the training path
• get to know the structure of the programmes
• and find out whether getting started makes sense for your situation.
Do you also work with companies or organisations? +
Yes. In addition to open training programmes, the institute also offers tailored programmes for companies and organisations. This work runs under the brand EMOVIO®.

Unlike traditional trainings, there are no off-the-shelf workshops here. Every collaboration begins with an initial conversation to clarify the organisation's goals, challenges and conditions.

Based on this, individual formats are developed — for example for:
• leadership teams
• HR and people development
• organisations in education or social services
• change and transformation processes

The programmes combine Emotional Pedagogy methods with organisational development to sustainably strengthen collaboration, leadership and emotional stability in teams.

The institute's founder is also listed as a BAFA business consultant, which means certain consulting and coaching formats may be eligible for funding.
What is Living Values® e.V. and how is it connected to the institute? +
Living Values® e.V. is an emerging professional association and network for people who work with Emotional Pedagogy.

While the Private Institute for Emotional Pedagogy® offers the training and certification programmes, Living Values® e.V. is being developed as a platform for exchange, continued development and collaboration among Emotional Pedagogues.

The association pursues goals including:
• networking among Emotional Pedagogues®
• professional exchange and further education
• development of shared quality standards
• offerings for people who want to apply Emotional Pedagogy® in their personal or professional lives

This is creating a long-term community that stands for consistently high quality and carries the Emotional Pedagogy® method forward together.
What happens in the info session — and is it really free? +
Yes, the info session is free and without obligation.

In this online session you'll get an overview of the training path in Emotional Pedagogy and can ask your questions directly. You'll learn:
• how the programmes are structured
• what content is covered
• how much time you should plan for
• and which entry point makes sense for your situation.

The session is deliberately designed as an orientation conversation. You can take your time to assess whether the institute's approach fits you and your professional context.
Why should I choose Emotional Pedagogy® specifically? +
Many people deal with emotionally demanding situations every day — in leadership, education, counselling or team collaboration.

It's often expected that you can "just handle it". But in reality, clear and learnable methods for consciously understanding and constructively using emotions are often missing.

This is exactly where Emotional Pedagogy® comes in. The approach combines insights from pedagogy, psychology and practice and translates them into concrete tools that help people:
• perceive emotional signals early
• regulate their own reactions more consciously
• hold difficult conversations with stability
• and better understand emotional dynamics in groups.

Emotional competence then becomes not just something you experience intuitively, but something you can learn systematically.

Build the emotional competence your role demands.

Short, professional insights into emotional competence for people in responsibility roles. No spam, no esoterics — just what helps in practice.