| What is a Life Coach |
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Life coaching is a practice with the aim of helping individuals determine and achieve their personal goals. Life coaches use multiple methods that help clients with the process of setting and reaching their goals. Coaching is not targeted at psychological illness and coaches are not therapists or consultants. Life coaching evolved from executive coaching which drew on techniques developed in management consulting and leadership training. Life coaching also draws inspiration from disciplines including sociology, psychology, positive adult development, career counseling, mentoring and other types of counseling. Life coaching to date has not been given a specific definition by the government or authoritative body. Recently there have been organizations that have been created to attempt to provide Coaching certification, however these organizations are new and the majority of highly effective and successful Life Coaches have no certification. Coaching differs from therapy in several ways but the most accepted differences are in the lack of historical reference to address behavioral changes. Life Coaching focuses on effecting change in a client's current and future behavior. Additionally, life coaching does not attempt to diagnosing mental illness or dysfunction. Coaches are "sounding boards" and "motivators" for their clients. Clients are looking for a coach "to really listen to them and give honest feedback." There are many types of Coaches: Business, Health, Leadership, Dating and Style. Of all the different coach types, the Life Coach is concentrated on the overall goal of you and your happiness. In many cases this may lead to advice in many areas including Business, Health, Dating etc. but the important thing to remember is why you are going to a Life Coach. If you are looking for improvement in many areas and want honest feedback that will put you in a better frame of mind to move forward, then a Life Coach is what you should seek. |
