What does a life coach do and how is it different from counselling, therapy and consulting?

The main distinction between coaching and any other form of therapy or counselling is that coaching is “present and future motivated” whereas the others are often about issues in the past and healing. Coaching supports people in assessing where they are now and then deciding where they want to go. It is often about achieving specific goals in the future. There is no need to delve into the past, it is more a case of, “now what?” In being coached, one does not have to admit either to needing help or even to having a problem. It is positive to have a coach, when even Tiger Woods has had several!? ;)

A life coach supports the client throughout the coaching program and not only on the weekly sessions. The life coach and client are like partners and the coach is accessible in some way to the client and maintains support and accountability for the client throughout, whereas with counselling, it is usually just during the isolated sessions.

In addition, the word 'therapy' conjures up the notion that someone is in need of help or a cure. Coaching clients choose to work with a coach because they want to, not because they need to.

A life coach is not an expert in your given field but will be able to support you be the best in what you want to achieve. Coaches’ act as a sounding board, cheerleader, someone to hold you accountable to doing what you say you are going to do. A good qualified life coach would help you to increase choices and options in how you get where you want to go. Coaching is a process where the client grows and widens their perspectives. Thinking outside the box and beyond the realms of day to day lives is another benefit of life coaching.

Simply put, a coach asks a lot of questions, expects the truth, gets you out of complacency and supports you in living life in top gear. A life coach will help keep you in constant “action” Being and Doing in order to Have what you want.

What are some of the responsibilities of a coach to a client?

Cheer them along the way, nagging them with incessant emails and text messages, encouraging them and questioning their excuses, but above all, the most important thing the coach offers you, is that they will hold you accountable to doing what you say you are going to do.

She is your partner in achieving personal goals, your champion during a turnaround, your sounding board when making choices, your motivation when strong actions are called for, your unconditional support when you take a hit and your wake-up call when you don't hear your own.

What are some of the reasons that people would benefit from life coaching?

The top three goals or desires are around these areas:

1) Work or money – to earn more, change career, assert self at work, be more productive, be happier.

2) Physical appearance – to lose weight, dress better, gain muscle tone.

3) Love and relationships – to find love or that dream partner, to communicate better in relationships, to end toxic ones or to be happy in their current situation.

Spread the word! :)