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Coaching -

If you have a sense of feeling stuck or lost in life, you might have considered working with a coach. But can they really help you get where you want to go?

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Coaching -

The term "life coach" covers a range of potential services, including: career coaches, financial coaches, happiness coaches, and more.

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Definition -

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential."

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Life coaching boom -

Between 2019 and 2022, the number of life coaches rose by 54%. This makes it one of the fastest growing careers in the US.

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Life coaching boom -

The life coaching services trend is happening alongside the growth of the "people development" industry, which emerged in the past 15 years.

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Pandemic effect -

An unforeseen effect of the pandemic, the conditions of lockdown provided the perfect business opportunity for would-be life coaches.

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Growing anxiety -

For the past few years, reported rates of anxiety and depression grew, as people struggled to adjust to a new way of living.

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Reevaluation -

In the wake of lockdowns and more time spent evaluating life choices, many people found themselves desiring change.

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Filling a gap -

For many, the pandemic led to a shift in values and goals. Some felt lost and alienated from the people around them in the fallout.

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Filling a gap -

Life coaches fill a gap where people desire guidance and support with regard to their career, relationships, and confidence.

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Accountability -

Life coaching is a way to get a push or outside opinion about an area of life. It can also provide a layer of accountability in the pursuit of a personal goal or objective.

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Social media -

Social media has given a boost to coaches, who can access a larger audience, with a wider reach, than was possible in the past.

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Social media -

They can introduce themselves and give free advice, offering the viewer 'value' while at the same time marketing their services.

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The rise of the influencer coach -

On social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, it's not unusual to find coaches selling their own coaching courses alongside their services. Usually, the lifestyle they share with followers is the course's unique selling point.

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Unregulated -

However, while there are some accrediting bodies for coaches (including the International Coaches Federation), the industry is largely unregulated.

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Unregulated -

While many people earning large fees as coaches provide a service that there is clearly a demand for, it's important to remember there are no legal standards for entry into the profession.

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Scams -

Unfortunately, the lack of regulation leaves people open to scams and less qualified, predatory practitioners. A lot of the time there is no way of knowing whether the practitioner has the expertise they say they do.

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Ponzi scheme -

It's easy to fall into the trap of paying for life coaching courses that ultimately lead nowhere. Many promise a desirable lifestyle and a high-figure salary, for instance.

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Mid-level marketing -

However, courses can lead to retreats, memberships, and mentoring that make a lot of promises they can't deliver on. Some might hinge on making a living from selling the same course to others, in what's referred to as a mid-level marketing scheme.

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Cult mentality -

Even darker still, some of these schemes create a cult of personality around their leaders and encourage magical or 'New Age' spiritual thinking, which can be employed to silence valid concerns or complaints.

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Vulnerability -

Considering many people seek these services when they are in a vulnerable place, for example going through a life transition and unsure where to turn next, they are left open to being taken advantage of.

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Remain skeptical -

If you're looking into life coaching services, it's always best to maintain an air of skepticism when investigating what's on offer. Proceed with caution.

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Warning signs -

Watch out for pushy sales tactics, people who try to create a sense of urgency where there isn't one, or someone who is putting pressure on you to make a decision.

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Warning signs -

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Beware of courses that make outrageous claims or present six-seven figure earnings as previous coaching course student success stories.

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Credentials -

While there may not be a certified degree program for coaches, there are some accrediting coaching bodies. For example, the Association of Coaching requires members undertake a certain number of hours of training.

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Find the real deal -

People may be experts in their field, however, without certain certifications, the services they offer are consulting, not coaching.

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Find the real deal -

Just because someone has a large social media following, and is relatively well known, doesn't necessarily mean they will provide good value. A lot of information people post online is very general.

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Not therapy -

Lastly, remember that coaching is not therapy. If you need help with mental health issues such as depression, trauma, anxiety and/or addiction, you should always speak to someone who is properly trained.

Sources: (The Guardian) (BBC Worklife) (Grand View Research)

See also: Is breathwork a therapy?

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