What Is A Life Coach? Types, Skills, Certifications, and Career Paths Explained

Wondering “What is a life coach?” how it works, and whether it’s the right path for you?

In this guide, we’ll answer:

• What a life coach actually does
• Different types of life coaches
• If life coaching is a scam
• The skills and traits needed to become a coach
• How much a life coach makes, and
• How to get started as a life coach

Ready to see if life coaching is the right career path for you? Keep reading to find out.

What is a Life Coach?

A life coach helps you deal with obstacles standing in your way. They’re your guide, your soundboard, and your accountability partner, all rolled into one. A life coach teaches you how to break bad habits and shift your mindset to make real change happen – on your terms, at your pace.

What Can a Life Coach Do?

The purpose of a life coach is simple: to help people create positive changes in their lives. They support clients in moving from where they are to where they want to be.

Unlike therapists, life coaches don’t provide mental health services. Instead, they help clients overcome obstacles and create a clear path to achieve personal milestones, from career success to better relationships or a healthier lifestyle.

Life coach techniques and methods

Life coaches use several techniques to help their clients, including:

• Goal-setting: Coaches help clients break down big goals into smaller, achievable steps, giving them direction and focus.
• Accountability: By keeping clients on track, life coaches help them stay committed to their plans and actions.
• Mindset shifts: A mindset coach can help clients shift limiting beliefs and reach their full potential.
• Visualization: Coaches use mental exercises to help clients envision success, increasing motivation and clarity.

Different Types of Life Coaches

There are many life coaches, and their focus varies widely depending on the client’s goals. These types can overlap as many coaches combine different approaches based on their expertise.

1. Personal development coach

Personal development coaches help clients improve their self-awareness, confidence, and personal growth by identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

2. Career coach

Career coaches help clients achieve their professional goals, change careers, or start new businesses. They also help with resume building, interview prep, and career goal setting.

3. Health and wellness coach

Health and wellness coaches guide clients toward better physical health, including fitness coaching, nutritional advice, weight loss plans, and stress management techniques.

4. Mindset coach

Mindset coaches support clients with overcoming limiting beliefs, building mental resilience, and developing a positive mindset for success.

5. Relationship coach

Relationship coaches help individuals or couples improve their relationships. They focus on communication skills, conflict resolution, and relationship-building strategies.

6. Life transitions coach

Life transitions coaches assist clients during major life changes, such as moving to a new city, dealing with a divorce, or navigating career transitions. They offer support during times of uncertainty.

7. Financial coach

Financial coaches help clients manage their money, budget, save, and invest. They also offer advice on reducing debt and planning for financial goals.

8. Executive coach

Executive coaches work with high-level executives or business leaders to improve their leadership skills, decision-making, and overall performance. They focus on productivity, time management, and effective leadership.

9. Spiritual coach

Spiritual coaches help individuals explore their spiritual path through religious practices, meditation, or aligning personal values with their actions.

10. Life skills coach

Life skills coaches help clients develop practical skills necessary for everyday life, including time management, decision-making, problem-solving, and communication.

11. Business coach

Business coaches work with entrepreneurs or business owners to grow and scale their businesses. They offer guidance on business strategies, marketing, operations, and leadership.

12. Parenting coach

Parenting coaches help parents improve their parenting skills, navigate challenges with children, and find the balance between family life and personal goals.

13. Motivational coach

Motivational coaches provide encouragement and inspiration to help clients take action toward their goals, often through boosting confidence and eliminating procrastination.

14. Addiction recovery coach

Addiction recovery coaches support individuals recovering from addiction by helping them set recovery goals, stay accountable, and develop a healthy lifestyle post-addiction.

15. Fitness coach

Fitness coaches focus on physical fitness, creating workout plans, providing fitness tips, and motivating clients to meet their fitness goals.

16. Nutritional coach

Nutritional coaches work with clients to develop healthier eating habits, create meal plans, and achieve nutrition-related goals, such as weight loss or managing health conditions.

17. Leadership coach

Leadership coaches specialize in developing individuals’ leadership skills, helping them make better decisions, and growing as leaders within their organizations.

18. Creativity coach

Creativity coaches help individuals unlock their creative abilities, whether for personal satisfaction or professional endeavors such as writing, art, or innovation.

19. Grief coach

Grief coaches assist individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one, process emotions, and move forward with their lives.

20. Sleep coach

Sleep coaches specialize in helping clients improve their sleep quality by addressing habits, routines, and environmental factors that impact sleep.

21. Time management coach

Time management coaches help clients organize their time effectively, prioritize tasks, reduce procrastination, and boost productivity.

Are Life Coaches Legit?

Some people question if life coaches really deliver or if they’re just a scam. Here’s what you need to know and what to watch out for.

Life coaching criticisms

While life coaching can be a powerful tool, people are concerned with:

• Lack of regulation: Life coaching is an unregulated industry, so it’s easy for someone with no real experience to call themselves a coach.
• Unclear methodologies: Critics argue that life coaching lacks a structured approach. But, a great coach will have a clear method for helping you move forward.
• Varying results: People worry that life coaching doesn’t lead to real results. However, the results depend on the person doing the work. A good coach can help, but you must be committed to putting in the effort.

What to look for in a life coach

So, how do you find a coach that actually helps you grow? Here’s what to look for:

• Experience and credibility: Check their background. Do they have any certifications? What’s their track record? Work with someone who’s been there and done that.
• Coaching style: Some coaches may be all about tough love, while others focus more on mindset or strategy. Make sure their approach suits your needs.
• Clear communication: A good coach is upfront about what they offer and how they work. They should explain exactly what their coaching entails and what results you can expect.
• Client feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for reviews. Past clients will give you the best idea of how the coach works and if they actually get results.

What Do You Need to Be a Life Coach?

If you’re considering becoming a life coach, you’ll need a few things to get sorted.

Skills and traits

Life coaching is the perfect career choice for people passionate about helping others. These are some useful skills and traits of a good life coach:

• Strong communication: You have to be a great listener and communicator. A good life coach must understand clients’ needs and express solutions clearly.
• Emotional intelligence: Life coaching guides people through personal or professional struggles. Empathy and the ability to read the room are key to helping clients make progress.
• Problem-solving abilities: Coaches help clients through problems, set goals, and achieve them. You must be able to break things down and figure out the best path forward for your client.
• Confidence in your expertise: People need to trust you. You have to own your knowledge and make your clients feel they’re in good hands.

Life coach legal requirements

Because the coaching industry is unregulated, it’s best to know what’s required of you legally before beginning.

• Certification and training: Although being certified is not required, you should at least get some training. Getting certified through a reputable program, like the International Coach Federation (ICF), is ideal. This gives clients peace of mind that you know what you’re doing.
• Business licensing: Depending on your location, you may need to register your coaching business. It’s best to check local regulations and make sure everything’s above board.
• Insurance: Life coaches should have professional liability insurance if a client’s situation doesn’t go as planned. It’s not a requirement everywhere, but it’s something worth considering to protect yourself.

Business tools for life coaches

Once everything is in place, it’s time to get your business running smoothly. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Client management software: Use Calendly or Acuity to book sessions and manage client schedules.
• Coaching platform: Whether it’s Zoom, or a more specialized coaching tool, make sure you have a reliable platform for coaching calls and hosting your workshops, training and virtual summits.
• Payment systems: You’ll need a way to accept payments online. Something like PayPal, Stripe, or even an invoicing software works well.
• Marketing tools: You’ll need a website, email list management, and social media to spread the word. Tools like Mailchimp, WordPress, and Buffer can keep you organized while growing your presence online.

What is a Certified Life Coach?

You’ve probably heard the term “certified life coach,” but what does it actually mean? Here’s what’s involved and why it matters.

Certification vs. non-certification paths

There are two main paths you can take in life coaching:

• Certified life coach: You’ve completed an accredited coaching program, met certain requirements, and earned a certification. It’s the most recognized path and can give your clients confidence in your skills and expertise.
• Non-certified life coach: You don’t need formal certification to start, but you’ll need to prove your expertise in other ways. This might be through experience, testimonials, or personal results. However, without certification, it might be harder to stand out or convince clients to hire you.

Types of life coach certifications

There’s no single life coaching certification, but several recognized options exist. Here are the main types you’ll come across:

• General life coach: This is the most common and broad certification. It covers foundational coaching skills that can be applied in almost any coaching niche.
• Specialized certifications: These focus on particular areas like health, career, or business coaching. If you’re looking to niche down, these can help you gain deeper expertise in a specific area.
• Executive or leadership coaching: These certifications focus on the business side of life coaching and are appropriate for those who want to work with leaders or in corporate environments.
• NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming coaching): NLP certifications teach you how to use psychological techniques to help clients make significant life changes.

Popular life coaching certification programs

A few widely recognized programs can give your coaching business a solid foundation, including:

• International Coach Federation (ICF): If you’re serious about being a recognized coach and creating high-ticket coaching programs, this is the gold standard in life coaching certifications.
• Centre for Coaching Certification (CCC): Another well-regarded option that provides specialized programs, especially for those looking to coach specific frameworks.
• International Association of Coaching (IAC): A certification known for helping coaches master the art of coaching with effective tools and methodologies.

Life coach vs. certified life coach

Is there a real difference between a life coach and a certified life coach? Yes, there is.

• Life coach: Anyone can become a life coach, but without certification, there’s no guarantee of their qualifications or expertise. It’s really about what you can show your clients through your results and testimonials.
• Certified life coach: This person has undergone proper training, usually recognized by an industry body like the ICF. Certification adds authority and credibility to your services.

What is a Life Coach’s Salary?

When considering a career as a life coach, it’s natural to want a realistic view of the earning potential. Here’s what you can expect:

Average life coach salary and earning factors

According to data from IBISWorld, the average annual income for a life coach in the U.S. is around $62,500, but these vary widely based on experience, location, and how many clients you have.

Below are factors that affect the average life coach salary:

• Hourly rates: The average hourly rate is $244, with coaches typically working around 11.9 hours weekly.
• Non-billable hours: Life coaches spend time on marketing, session prep, and admin work needed for their business but are not counted in their weekly billed hours.
• Experience: Seasoned coaches (10+ years) earn an annual average of $67,800, while newer coaches (less than a year) average $29,600.

Income variation by niche

Your income as a life coach varies depending on the niche you choose. Here’s a summary of the average income for different niches:

How to Become a Life Coach

Are you thinking about becoming a life coach? It’s a great way to make an impact, help others, and create a freedom-filled career.

Here’s what you need to set yourself up for real success.

How to get started

1. Find your niche. Life coaching covers a lot of ground, so it helps to know where you fit best. Pick a niche that clicks with your strengths to make it easier to find the people who’ll get the most from your offer.
2. Get the right credentials. People are looking for trustworthy professionals, so proper training and a solid certification can make all the difference in building credibility.
3. Define your unique coaching approach. What makes you unique as a life coach? Your coaching style is part of your brand, and it’ll help clients figure out if you’re the right fit for them.
4. Develop a clear offer. Think about what your clients need, then build packages that offer value and get results. Make it clear, simple, and worth their investment.
5. Build an online presence. Your online presence is how most people will find you. Set up a straightforward website, create your expert profile, add your Instagram and Facebook, and get on LinkedIn. Post useful content to build authority and keep you visible to the people who need you.

Building your client list as a life coach

1. Start with your network. Don’t overlook the people you already know. Often, your first clients come from your friends, family, or contacts who already believe in your expertise.
2. Offer free sessions or virtual workshops. Think of it as a test drive. A free coaching session can give people a taste of your style and show them the value you bring. It’s one of the most effective ways to convert interested people into paying clients.
3. Collect success stories. Ask your clients to share their experiences. Post these on your site and social media – people want proof that you know what you’re doing.
4. Team up with other experts. Collaboration can open doors. Partner with people in related fields to cross-promote your services. It’s a great way to reach new clients.

Is Life Coaching Right for You?

So, what is a life coach? Life coaching isn’t just a job – it’s a commitment to helping others grow and build better lives.

But before you jump in, ask yourself: Are you genuinely driven to help people? Can you commit to both personal and professional growth? Do you enjoy the flexibility and self-direction of this kind of work?

If you’re nodding along, you’re ready to take your first steps as a life coach. Remember, you don’t need to figure everything out immediately – start small, keep learning, and take it one step at a time.

Ready to get started? Check out our coaching training and gain the tools and support you need to succeed.