Life Coaching

Life Coaching is a profession similar to other kinds of coaching. The job of a life coach is to support a person in meeting his goals, through increasing his self-confidence and self-awareness. Ideally, a life coach will work with a person to set the goals that are most important to them and then act as a personal assistant to make sure those goals are met.

History:

The history of life coaching is difficult to discern. It has been said that life coaching originated in the 1970s, as athletic coaches sought to change the mindset of players to improve their games. As this became more widespread, coaching moved into the corporate setting. CEOs, entrepreneurs, and other business folks used the transpersonal psychology to â€œbuild upâ€ their employees, and thus increase their production. As people realized their goals, the business realized success. Finally, the ideas from corporate coaching were brought into everyday life. Life coaches helped everyone from the manager of a fast food restaurant to the struggling housewife and hasn't looked back since. Now there are coaches to fit every type of person or lifestyle.

Typical Treatment:

Meeting with a life coach is like sitting down to talk to a friend, except that a life coach doesn't ask for any kind of reciprocating attention. The life coach starts with a self introducing and asking the client to make a list of things they wants to do with their life. The coach then goes through the list and the two discuss how to go about reaching those goals. Clients are given tasks to complete, and coaches may visit or call to check on their clients' progress. Guidance continues until the client's goals have been met, or until they no longer need life coaching.

Conditions Treated:

It is important to note that life coaches do not treat physical illnesses caused by disease, nor do they treat mental illness. What life coaching can treat are conditions caused by stress, uncertainty and discouragement, such as:

Anxiety
Depression
Headache
Insomnia
Migraine
Panic Attack

Benefits:

Betters relationships with family and friends
Enhances communication skills
Helps to balance a person's life
Improves organization
Increases free time
Increases self-awareness
Leads to income improvements
Lowers stress level

Side-Effects/Contra-Indications:

There are no contra-indications to life coaching. The only thing to remember is that life coaching is not regulated, and anyone with some creativity can claim to be one. Before hiring a life coach, look at his/her history or past client list. More experienced coaches have a better chance at being able to help their clients realize success.

Educations/Schools:

Not all life coaches attend school. Many start their own practice with nothing but a dream and a computer. But there are styles of coaching for every facet of life including executive, financial, spiritual, and many more, each with its own curriculum. Generally, students need to take 55-125 hours of training in coaching, including classes in Eastern/western coaching methods, behavior modification, visualization techniques, self-mastery methods and cycles of change, among others. Students will complete more than six coaching sessions under the supervision of an experienced life coach. Finally, they will apply to take a final exam in the subject, and may be credentialed by the ICF.

Degree/License offered: Certified Professional Coach

Length of study: 2-3 weeks to 2 years

Cost/Financial Aid: For the full certification program, students pay $2797-4200. Some non-credentialed programs charge as little as $697 for students to complete their training as a life coach.

Research:

Research into life coaching is scant, but that should change as more people enter the field.

The Researchers at the University of Sydney coaching psychology department recently conducted a study on the effects of life coaching. In the study, 64 people were randomly assigned to three different groups. The first received 1:1 coaching for ten weeks, the second received group coaching for ten weeks, and the control group received no coaching at all. The study found conclusively that the groups that received coaching showed a greater amount of progress towards their goals, with those individually coached realizing the most benefit.

Practitioner Training & Licensure:

Life coaches are not required to have a license or a certificate to practice their trades. Many countries are beginning to regulate the field because of the influx of new life coaches, few of which have proper credentials.

Average Salary/Hourly Rate:

There is a standard of pay for life coaches, depending on where in the world they are located, and whether it is a small city or large metropolitan area. The typical rate is $58-$70 per 30-minute session. Longer projects charge by the month, starting at $300-$400. Well-qualified life coaches can make up to $50,000 per year.