Who needs a life coach?

Silver Member Joined: Dec 04 2004 Posts: 911

I just did. The three sites I looked at said that their training courses were 40 hours (10 4 hour sessions) which still feels like very little to be empowering someone to help others change their lives.

Gold Member Joined: Dec 27 2005 Posts: 1006

I would never go to a life coach. I, too, know a life coach whose own life is a disaster, and I wouldn't take advice from her in a million years. In addition, she and many other coaches work exclusively over the phone, and although she insists that "it's amazing how much expression you can communicate over the phone" it seems sketchy to me-- sure, the phone isn't terrible, but meeting in person is so much better and seems much more legit. What does she have to hide that she won't meet her clients in person?

The coaches I know are also not so cheap-- so why not spend a little more and go to a licensed social worker or psychologist?

Info on the field and licensing from wikipedia:

Silver Member Joined: Dec 04 2004 Posts: 911

batya_d, thank-you for verbalising so succinctly what I was unable to.

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 22 2004 Posts: 9754

I wouldn't use one either.
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Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48152

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 10 2006 Posts: 6563

Well, my MIL has ADD and is actually a very good ADD coach bc she has found a variety of nonmedicinal methods (habits, etc.) that she has found are very helpful to having an organized and successful life. She's not anti medicine, but that's not her expertise. her life also is not a disaster. I wouldn't want someone whose life is such to be giving me advice either.

BTW, if any of you have been to her site, she publically acknowledges that she has ADD.
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Gold Member Joined: Dec 27 2005 Posts: 1006

Posted: Wed, Jan 30 2008, 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: re: Who needs a life coach?

Posted: Wed, Jan 30 2008, 7:04 pm Post subject:

batya_d I agree with you. Why not go to a person whos is really qualified if a person is going to pay that kind of money.
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Platinum Member Joined: Sep 10 2006 Posts: 6563

first of all, people should not and aren't meant to go to life coaches to replace a social worker or a shrink bc that's not what they do.

A coach is not a dr. a common example of where life coaching is meant to live is for example, with getting professional advice. time management, developing goals, and such. It would be crazy to consult with someone who has no background in mental problems or abuse without paying them, let alone paying them.

Most people do not need life coaches...if they did, my MIL would be rich and I wouldn't have to work.

Not everyone who calls themself a coach is one, let alone a good one. Coaching is not psychoanalysis or social work. It's purpose is to help healthy people by giving them input, recommendations, and support for the things they are working on in their lives...

You might balk at the training, but on top of classes certification requires loads of hours of practice, much like a doula/massage therapist requires many many hours of practice.

I don't know these friends some of you have mentioned, and if they are so messed up and offerring counseling services to clients on matters of abuse instead of referring them to the appropriate experts that's irresponsible and unethical bc that is NOT what a coach is supposed to do.

Posted: Thu, Jan 31 2008, 12:12 am Post subject: re: Who needs a life coach?

My dad was a federal bankruptcy judge and died with huge debts...

I know psychologists whose kids are not so stable...

and my husband is a budding architect but our home is falling apart (because he is an apprentice and gets babysitter's wages, so we can't do any renovations until he finishes school:wink: ) but in any case, we are afraid to have people over because they will look at the run-down apartment and say "He's an architect??" Laughing

The list goes on and on. I don't think a person has to be perfect to be a life coach...they just need to be organized, create a good impression, and give great advice! I think CM fits the picture

Platinum Member Joined: May 06 2007 Posts: 8515

Where does the CM wanting to be a life coach come from?
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Posted: Thu, Jan 31 2008, 12:32 am Post subject: re: Who needs a life coach?

go to the top of the thread...

Silver Member Joined: Dec 04 2004 Posts: 911

Mimivan, knowing the bankruptcy laws doesn't automatically make someone wealthy. Knowing how to do a fantastic job on other people's home doesn't mean that you will be rich. However, if you are helping people get their lives in order, if you are offering advice on how to live to your optimal best, you better make sure you yourself are implementing the same tools. To me a life coach whose life is in disaray is a hypocrit. A federal bankruptcy judge who is bankrupt is just down on his luck.

A life coach, to me, is a like a girl out of high school who is teaching high school. Some might swing it, and be really great, but generally it is a bunch of people who are insufficiently trained taking a stab at an opportunity to make money at some poor soul's expense. I know I am going to get bashed for having this opinion, or maybe just for sharing it, but it is the way I see the situation.

How old is this whole profession anyway? I have only heard about it in the last two to three years.

Platinum Member Joined: May 06 2007 Posts: 8515

Posted: Fri, Feb 01 2008, 11:29 am Post subject: Re: re: Who needs a life coach?

Posted: Fri, Feb 01 2008, 11:34 am Post subject:

Any person who would go to a life coach instead of a real trained professional is no different than going to an EMT for real medical treatment.

Sorry but I think this whole life coach thing is a real sham and I don't buy it. They can do alot of damage in a persons life with poor advice.

Posted: Mon, Feb 04 2008, 10:51 am Post subject: re: Who needs a life coach?

Any life coaches here who care to defend their profession? I would love the hear the other side of the story!

Platinum Member Joined: May 06 2007 Posts: 8515

I'd also like to know the difference between a life coach and a mashpia, which half the people on this site seem to have no problem with. These mashpias don't have any formal training. They don't have degrees.

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 22 2004 Posts: 9754

They don't get paid.