When it comes to life coaching, it can be hard to know what is legitimate and what is a hoax. With so many people claiming to be life coaches, it can be difficult to determine who is qualified and who is not. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that you are working with a legitimate life coach. The International Coach Federation (ICF) is the leading accreditation body for life coaches.
To be accredited by the ICF, a life coaching course must ensure that its students receive a detailed curriculum based on the ICF Code of Ethics and the ICF Core Coaching Competencies. This ensures that the life coach has received the necessary training and is qualified to provide life coaching services. It is also important to be aware of the relationship between coach and client. While you can be safe with legal client and doctor-patient cases, be careful about letting your life coach get too close.
The relationship between coach and client is not legally secured, so their confidentiality is not secure either. When looking for a life coach, it is important to do your research. Make sure that the coach you are considering has an ICF accreditation and has received the necessary training. It is also important to find out what type of coaching they specialize in.
Even if a coach is working in a smaller niche, such as productivity coaching, intimacy coaching, or somatic coaching, an ICF accreditation is the best way to ensure it's the real deal. It is also important to be aware of potential scams. Some people may label themselves as life coaches but may not have the necessary qualifications or experience. In my experience, people who label themselves like that tend to prescribe pseudoscientific nonsense and you may end up wasting thousands of dollars getting spiritual life coaches to read your “astric chart”.
When looking for a life coach, it is important to find one who has experience in helping people achieve their goals. Most life coaches will take time for a free discovery call to see if potential clients would be a good fit. This will give you an opportunity to ask questions and get an understanding of how they work and what they can offer you. It is also important to be aware of potential risks associated with life coaching.
Emilie Lavinia, a 30-year-old influencer and digital consultant, tells me that her coaching experience left her with recurring nightmares. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you are comfortable with your coach before committing to any long-term relationship.