Things You Should Know About Life Coaching/Coaches

Things You Should Know About Life Coaches/Life Coaching

You do not need ANY training or credentials to call yourself a Life Coach
If your response to THAT statement was “Whoa, that’s kind of scary”, I would applaud you for being smart…
A lot of the “Coach Training Programs” out there are really, really crappy. I have been through (and paid for) two of them, and I know. They sucked.
“How could that be?” Good question. It is because there is no oversight REQUIRED. YOU could start a Coaching Training Program tonight, even if you have never coached anybody in your life. You would not have to be approved by anybody
“Are you shitting me?” Great question. No.
Do Coaches have any kind of Psychology training at all? Many have PhDs in Psychology (myself, for instance); some have a Master’s degree in Counseling. Others do not have a bachelor’s degree or any kind of formal education related to Coaching
Does that mean that people with Psychology or Counseling degrees are really good Coaches, and people with no formal training are not?
Not necessarily. That is the tricky part. I know really unimpressive people with PhDs in Psych, and I know people with no formal higher education who are amazing.
“I am confused as hell.” Good. You should be. Sort of. Caveat Emptor. Do your homework. Read Coaches’ websites. Ask who they are, what they have achieved or manifested in their lives, ESPECIALLY in regard to the kind of visions you would want to bring to them.
“If people ARE accredited by one of the truly reputable Coaching organizations (The International Coaching Federation, for example), can I be guaranteed they are really good?” Great question!! Answer is No.
Fit is everything. A great Coach for me might be a sucky Coach for you, and vice-versa. The answer to most questions is “It depends”, and that applies here.
“Jim, what would YOU recommend in looking for a Life Coach?” I would watch them, track them, follow them, read their web site, do an interview.
I, PERSONALLY, (this is Jim speaking) would prefer somebody with both advanced training in Psychology AND some significant Coaching training or experience, AND a hell of a track record in manifesting cool stuff related to what I am looking to manifest in my own life…That last criterion might weigh the most…

So what is the point of this post?

I hope it’s obvious. You have to take responsibility for hiring a Life Coach. There are a lot of wannabes and bullshitters out there. There just are. There are really great people who truly WANT to be of help who do not really have any training or life experience or credentials to help them actually BE helpful. Then there are lots of really great people, so that is the good news.

What Should I Do? Review…

Read a potential coach’s website and blogs.
Talk to them before you write a big-ass check
If, when you talk with them, your meter goes off, trust it. For good or for not so good.

Life Coaches can be great. Like every other profession, you know? But you have to take responsibility for knowing what you really WANT, and for assessing whether a given person can help you achieve that goal…. Back to my first point—-remember, ANYBODY can call themselves a Life Coach.

Good luck to you….

If you want to consult, or ask any other questions, please text me at 505-699-7616

Warmly,

James Mick, PhD