To become a life coach, consider the following steps:
- Choose a Niche Specializing in a specific area can help you effectively market your skills and establish yourself as an authority figure
. Niches can include nutrition and exercise, career, general wellness, relationships, or spirituality
- Get Training While formal education isn't essential, training programs teach important concepts such as ethical coaching practices, active listening, relationship building, and goal achievement methodologies
. Training can take anywhere from three days to twelve months
- Obtain Credentials Although a specific degree isn't required, earning a degree in a related field, along with a life coach certification, can demonstrate your qualifications and build trust with potential clients
. Some organizations that offer life coaching credentials include the International Coach Federation (ICF), the International Association of Coaching (IAC), and the Institute for Life Coach Training
. The ICF maintains a database of recognized and accredited programs to guide your search
- Select a Business Classification When starting your life coaching business, choose a business classification that aligns with your business goals, keeping in mind the legal protections it may provide
- Acquire Business Insurance Purchasing business insurance can protect your business from legal issues, losses, and theft, providing peace of mind for you and your clients
Since life coaching is an unregulated profession, there is no set path to becoming a practitioner
. Some coaches use personal experience, while others combine schooling with targeted training
. If you already have a degree, you could study for a postgraduate award in coaching
. Some schools offer master’s degrees in psychology with life coaching concentrations to help you build a toolkit of skills
