These days it seems like every third person on Instagram is a coach of something. It can be incredibly difficult to discern which online life coaches are high quality coaches and which ones are just trying to make a buck. On top of that, how do you know which coach is the right one for you? How do you find an online life coach who will work best with to help you reach your goals? These are common questions we get asked as our clients do their research and try to find the perfect life coach for them, and so we wanted to share our guidance to help demystify the process and help you not just find a life coach, but the right life coach for you. 1. Make sure a Life Coach is actually what you’re after Before you do anything, it’s important to make sure that a life coach is what you actually need. Coaching is often confused with other related disciplines like mentorship or therapy. However, it is actually quite different, and each of these has unique characteristics. This graphic pinpoints some of the key differences between life coaching, mentorship and therapy. Therapy has a past orientation, helping you understand why you are the way you are. Coaching is much more future-oriented. Your life coach won’t spend much time digging into your past experiences. There is still certainly a self-awareness component, helping you understand who you are and why, but all with the intention of using that self-awareness for the future. “Okay, I know these things about myself, how can I create strategies and habits to help me progress toward my goals given all I’ve learned?” Additionally, it should also be noted that only a therapist is qualified to support you with mental illness, significant trauma, or other me Unlike a mentor, a life coach is not there to offer guidance and advice based on his/her own experiences. Sure, they might occasionally offer a suggestion or two, but for the most part, your life coach will ask powerful questions to help you find the right answers and solutions for you. It’s important to note that none of these disciplines are better or worse than any other – you simply need to understand the differences and have appropriate expectations for what will be accomplished with each provider. Now let’s talk about how to get a life coach! 2. Figure out what type of coach you want to work with Once you’ve determined a coach is what you’re looking for, it will help your search to narrow down what type of coach you want depending on your coaching goals. Many people jump straight into looking for a life coach, but if you can narrow down the area of your life you want to focus on you may be able to hone your search for potential coaches. Different types of coaches include career coach, leadership coach or executive coach, relationship coach, business coach, or wellness coach. These coaches have narrowed their area of expertise to a more specific field and may have special programs or approaches to how they manage their coaching sessions. Because they focus on one particular area of coaching, they may come with a good understanding of your particular challenges and be able to provide better insights. For example, if your focus is on personal growth, you may seek a coach who can help you build your self confidence, create work life balance, or identify ways to support your mental health in your daily life. Most successful life coaches will focus in on these areas. On the other hand, if you are starting your own business, you might chose a life coach who primarily works with small business owners. An executive coach or leadership coach will help you navigate the challenges that come with leading a team at work. A career coach may be focused on helping you find a new job, but there are others who can help with larger or ongoing goals like working toward a promotion, creating and realizing a vision for your career, or navigating all the intricacies of your workplace. A wellness coach may focus on your physical health, nutrition, and exercise, but they may also support your mental health priorities as well. All of these types of coaches can bring a positive change into your life. It’s important to know what you’re personally hoping to achieve in working with a life coach so that you can find the skillset for what you need. Once you’ve narrowed down your search, you can then identify a few potential coaches to research further to find the best life coach for you. 3. Determine if they are thoroughly trained and certified Coaching is based on scientific research, and well-trained coaches utilize evidence-based coaching models in their work. In order to learn this research and these techniques, coaches need to go through an in-depth training program. Unlike therapy, there is very little governance and regulation of the coaching industry. For example, to call yourself a therapist, you legally need to have a certain level of training and hold an official credential. There is no equivalent regulation for coaches. Anyone can call themselves a coach, whether or not they have been through a coach training program. However, there is an organization called the International Coaching Federation (ICF). This organization accredits coach training programs and ensures they meet a certain standard. When you begin meeting with life coaches, ask them which training program they completed and if it is accredited by the International Coaching Federation. At Ama La Vida, we only hire coaches who have been through an intensive coach training program; once they join our team, they undergo an additional 3-months of training on our proprietary methodologies and programs. Make sure to ask about their credentials when you choose a life coach. 4. Ask them about their coaching style Each life coach coaches differently based on their personality and training. Some coaches’ sessions are very organized and structured, … Continue reading How to Find the Right Life Coach for You