What life coaching is (and what it isn’t)

Have you ever thought, “What should I do with my life?” Or, “I don’t feel like I have a purpose.” A life coach can help you with that and more.

A life coach is a type of wellness professional who helps people make progress in their lives in order to attain greater fulfillment. Life coaches aid their clients in improving their relationships, careers, and day-to-day lives. Wellness coaching plays a key role in this, as it encompasses various aspects of a person’s life.

Let's unpack what a life coach is, what they do, and how they can help you.

What is a life coach?

A life coach is someone who counsels and encourages clients through personal or career challenges. A life coach helps guide clients to reach their ultimate goals. They are integral to personal growth and professional life development.

Personal coaching refers to the practice where a life coach works one-on-one with clients to focus on individual goals, such as improving personal relationships, career success, or overall well-being. This form of coaching is tailored to the unique needs of the individual, providing personalized guidance and accountability.

A life coach can help individuals in different areas of their life. But because each human being is different, so are their goals. Coaches work in various fields such as relationship coaching, career coach assistance, and personal growth.

This often involves goal setting and accountability to ensure clients stay on track. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a recognized body that many certified coaches align with for coach training and life coach certification.

Sometimes, you come to a crossroads in life. It might come in the form of a quarter-life crisis or existential questioning. It might show up at the heels of a big career change or commitment. It might even present itself when you’ve already decided to start over in life — but you’re not sure where to go next. Career transitions are a common area where a life or career coach can offer significant help.

In the past decade, the coaching industry has grown exponentially. According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), there are about 71,000 professional coaches worldwide.

But that’s the mucky thing about coaching: what is it? Is it therapy? What do you mean by life coaching? How do you know if life coaching actually works? How do you find a life coach that will help you reach your goals? Will coaching help improve your life? 

Life coaching vs. therapy

How is a life coach different from a therapist? This is a common question many people ask. In short, life coaching and therapy are not the same thing. While both are focused on improving well-being, there are distinct differences. Therapists require certain educational and license prerequisites to provide mental health care treatment.

Coaches work on personal growth and professional life development. Certified coaches help their clients build and utilize the right tools to reach their goals but don’t (and shouldn’t) offer clinical mental health care. Let’s dig into this more.

Life coaching 

When comparing life coaching to therapy, here are some key differences: 

• Life coaches work as guides through various aspects of your life 
• Coaching is focused on personal development and professional life growth 
• Coaching can resemble talk therapy, though coaches work differently and can’t practice as therapists
• Coaching focuses on goal setting, achieving goals, behavior changes, shifting perspectives, and overall self-improvement and personal growth
• Professional coaches can help you improve your physical health, emotional well-being, and financial wellness
• Life coaching is not mental health treatment or clinical care 
• At BetterUp, our coaches focus on sustainable, behavior changes rooted in positive psychology 

Therapy 

Let’s take a closer look at key characteristics of therapy: 

• Therapists are trained mental health professionals 
• Therapists have education and license requirements to practice with clients 
• Therapists help you to understand your psychological patterns to change behavior 
• Therapists can diagnose and treat your mental health needs 
• Therapists can improve your mental health and emotional well-being through various techniques and therapy styles, like CBT, EMDR, and more 
• Therapists often work with your medical care team to help improve your overall well-being 
• Some (not all) therapists can prescribe medication for psychological and mental health conditions 

7 benefits of life coaching

When it comes to life coaching, many effects or benefits of coaching come from social science research. At BetterUp, we lean on social and positive psychology to help shape how our certified coaches work with our members. 

If you’re thinking about life coaching, here are seven benefits to keep in mind: 

• Better self-confidence. A study by the IFC reported that 80% of people who hired a life coach reported improved self-confidence. 

• A growth mindset. A benefit to coaching is a shift in perspective. At BetterUp, we think of this as a growth mindset. With coaching, you can expand and nurture your growth mindset. 

• Improved self-awareness. Research found that only 10-15% of people studied were self-aware, despite people believing that they are self-aware. But with coaching, you have a guide to reflect on your progress and your levels of self-awareness. Coaching can help you build your self-awareness muscle and ultimately, gain more confidence in knowing who you are. 

• Improved relationships and communication skills. According to the Institute of Coaching, your relationships will benefit from coaching. One study found that of those who participated in coaching, over 70% benefitted from improved work performance, relationships, and effective communication skills. 

• Better clarity and purpose. Our mission at BetterUp is to help people everywhere live with more purpose, clarity, and passion. Our data has shown that folks who take part in coaching report a higher sense of purpose and meaning. 
• Improved overall well-being. Coaching can also help improve your overall well-being. Our data also shows that a majority of people who start coaching in a “stuck” period get better. In fact, 77% will significantly improve their well-being state in three to four months with personalized support.
• Lower stress levels (and better resiliency). The same data cited above shows that with BetterUp, a benefit of coaching is lowered stress levels and better resiliency. 

Limitations of life coaching 

Life coaching and therapy are not the same. There are instances where life coaching may not be what you need right now. 

At BetterUp, we think of mental health and mental fitness as two different things. And while coaching can have positive benefits for our emotional and mental well-being, it's not clinical mental health care. 

For those experiencing symptoms of mental health conditions (like anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD, or any other mental illness), seek professional help. A trained mental health professional will be able to support you in your mental health journey, not a life coach. 

Mental health is a spectrum. Some people live with mental health conditions while others experience symptoms at certain points in their life. We do know there’s a massive middle — 55% of people are in a state of languishing. To help prevent that massive middle from sliding down the spectrum, it’s important to build mental fitness. 

And that’s where coaching comes into play. With coaching, you can build a strong mental fitness practice to be better equipped to handle whatever life throws at you. Think of it as a supplemental practice to your mental health care, not a substitute. 

What problems do life coaches solve?

Life coaches are particularly effective at helping people who feel stuck or need guidance in making significant life changes. The problems they solve include improving self-confidence, enhancing communication skills, managing stress, achieving career goals, and building better relationships.

Relationship coaching and career coaching are just two examples where life coaches can have a profound impact on an individual’s life.

Types of life coaching

There are lots of different types of coaching. Here are some common types of coaching we’ve seen in the industry. 

1. Personal coaching: This type of coaching focuses on helping individuals achieve personal goals and improve their overall well-being.
2. Career coaching: A career coach assists clients in career transitions, finding new job opportunities, and enhancing their professional skills.
3. Relationship coaching: This involves helping clients improve their interpersonal relationships, whether in personal or professional settings.
4. Wellness coaching: Focused on improving overall health, including physical, emotional, and mental wellness.

These are just a few examples, but other types like executive coaching, transformational coaching, and sales coaching also play crucial roles.

How much should a personal coach charge?

The cost of hiring a personal coach can vary widely based on their experience, credentials, and the length and frequency of sessions. On average, life coaches charge anywhere from $75 to $500 per hour.

However, high-end professional coaches who specialize in areas like executive coaching or career coaching may charge even more. It's essential to consider the value that coaching will bring to your life when evaluating the cost.

Are life coaches worth it?

Many people who have worked with a life coach would say yes. Life coaches provide accountability, support, and a structured approach to achieving personal and professional life goals.

While life coaching is not a substitute for therapy, it can be incredibly beneficial for those looking to make meaningful changes in their lives. The investment in a life coach can lead to improved self-confidence, better relationships, and a more fulfilling life overall.

What to look for in a life coach

There’s no one answer to what makes a good coach — only what’s a good coach for you. That being said, here are the four most important ways to determine if your coach is a good fit for you.

Rapport

If you don’t get along with your coach, you won’t get the most out of your coaching sessions. You need to have that element of building rapport with your coach. There’s a lot to be said for finding a coach that you really gel with.

If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, feel free to keep looking — your coach likely won’t take it personally. At BetterUp we encourage Members to keep switching until they find the right person — and our platform makes that easy to do.

Expertise

Coaches are trained to ask questions and create impactful change in just about any area of life. However, many also specialize in certain fields. You might look for a coach that works with entrepreneurs, executive coaching, or neurodiversity in the workplace.

Availability 

Soft skills and expertise aside, there are some practical considerations when working with a coach. You’ll want to find someone who’s available to meet when you’re available. If you can, BetterUp suggests meeting with your primary coach at least once a week for the best results.

Results

Lastly, coaching is meant to help you have greater purpose, clarity, and passion in both your personal and professional lives. You and your coach should be able to set goals, work on your plan for achieving them, and celebrate your wins together. 

One of the best benefits of coaching is the accountability a dedicated coach provides. If you don’t feel like coaching is making a positive difference in your life, it’s okay to look for a new coach. It doesn’t mean that they’re a bad coach — just not the right one for you.

How to find a life coach

When it comes to finding a coach, the first step is self-reflection. What are you looking to gain? What goals do you want to achieve? How do you want to show up in your life? What does your full potential look like to you? 

At BetterUp, we take a science-backed approach to helping you find a coach. I talked about our Whole Person Model earlier on, a methodology that spans 25 dimensions to help you become your best self. Once you’ve taken the assessment, you’ll be asked to select a coach that you’ve matched with. 

At BetterUp, our certified coaches will work with you to provide individualized support. With the goal of unlocking your full potential, your coach will be able to help you get unstuck. You will work with your coach to set professional goals, like achieving a better work-life balance or determining your career path. 

Make sure you look at your coach’s credentials. Are they trained coaches as part of a coaching program? Do they have certifications or other coach training? At BetterUp, we’re building the world’s largest network of certified coaches, including counselors and specialists. Partner with a BetterUp Coach today.