Rather seeking the services of, or training to become a one, you must first understand “what a life coach is.” The term ‘coaching’ refers to the practice of supporting an individual, usually a client, through the process of achieving a specific personal or professional result.

Life coaching is a practice that helps people identify and achieve personal goals. Life coaches help clients set and reach goals using a variety of tools and techniques.

Life coaches are not therapists nor consultants; in fact, psychological intervention is outside the scope of their work.

In short, a life coach is a resource for personal, private and positive experiences designed to assist clients in establishing healthy boundaries, goal setting, career changes, relationship development, time management, business motivation, weight loss, self-understanding, and stress management. Typically, life coaches are hired to assist their clients toward leading well-balanced and healthy lives.

Life Coach Vs. Therapist

Critics argue that life coaching is psychotherapy minus the restrictions and governing regulations. However, a life coach differs from a therapist, as sessions typically resolve around the present or future. The past is not ignored, as those traumas and events influence our present path of self development; however, life coaches tend to not dwell on the emotions and patterns of the past — instead focusing on “where to go from here.”

Coaching is not appropriate if you are depressed or in need of a professional therapist. However, many people do have both a therapist and a life coach. In these situations, the life coach supports the client in moving forward, while not dwelling in the past. It’s always important to remember your present and future goals, even more so during times of intense personal and therapeutic work.

Choosing Your Life Coach

The fundamentals of life coaching center on trust. Therefore, it’s vital you choose a coach that makes you feel comfortable. The first one you encounter may not be the “perfect” life coach for you. The importance of finding the perfect match cannot be stressed enough. Life coaches are limited, as they cannot do anything for a client unless the client trusts them and is ready to take action. In stating this, when you find your ‘perfect’ life coach, he or she will become a sounding board for your ideas, goals and struggles, but the final work is up to you.

The Cost of A Life Coach

Life coaches range from extremely expensive to extremely cost-effective. In fact, many operate off sliding scales based on your income. Therefore, don’t ever rule the idea of a life coach out due to perceived cost. The first one you find might charge $1,000 per hour because they were the life coach of Kim Kardashian, whereas, the next one you contact may only charge $50 per hour. In terms of average cost, professional life coaches charge approximately $150 (USD) for a 60-minute face-to-face session, with a minimum session commitment required.

An added convenience in is that most life coaches offer online (Skype Coaching) and over-the phone coaching. In many instances, this type of coaching is cheaper and less schedule intensive. Hiring a life coach is a valuable alternative if your seeking that extra push and motivation moving forward, provided it doesn’t create a financial strain — even then, most life coaches seek to alleviate the strain and work with you to create sessions and programs to fit YOUR budget.