Once a person decides they want to become a life coach, the excitement can quickly lead to feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information available on life coaching careers. Life coaches do not need certification to call themselves a life coach and take on clients; the certification process equips those who want to make a difference in their clients’ lives. High-quality certification programs provide the background, education, tools, and resources to become a successful life coach. Once you decide to become a life coach, it is vital to ask the right questions to ensure you understand what you are signing up for and how this relationship will continue throughout your life coaching career.
Is the Certification Accredited?
The first question life coaches should ask is whether the International Coaching Federation accredits the certification they are working for. Worldwide, ICF is the most respected and well-known organization to offer comprehensive life coaching certifications. ICF certifications are a foot in the door in many cases because they are widely recognized and trusted. The high standards of ICF certifications mean life coaches are equipped and skilled in their field. The curriculum, training, hands-on coaching, and ethics training are commitments, and a completed certification shows clients you want to be the best life coach possible for them. This should be your first question because if ICF does not accredit the program, you could be wasting your time and money. It isn’t that you won’t learn some skills in other programs, but the level of expertise and rigor stands above other programs. There would be nothing worse than signing up and paying for life coach training only to find out that your clients recognize only the ICF certifications.
Who is Coaching Who?
It is surprising how many people don’t think about who their professors will be or which faculty will be training them. This matters significantly because life coaches want to be inspired and taught by experts. Instructors should hold their own certifications and have real-life experience in life coaching. Whether experience is with individuals, groups, or organizations, life experience is the best way to know if you are being trained by someone who has walked the walk. There are a few things worse than taking a class or training where you know more than the instructor, or where they are giving bad information. Who leads the instruction will impact your overall experience in certification programs. Instructors in life coaching are not just knowledge experts but also mentors, and what they model sets the tone for excellence.
Does Certification Include Hands-On Coaching?
It can’t be overemphasized how critical hands-on experience is to your certification program. Practice makes taking on your first clients much more successful. Peer-to-peer, instructor-led, or other structured hands-on training should be part of any certification program. These coaching sessions allow feedback and growth, building confidence and awareness to take on the world! Learning a lot of great content is only helpful if you can successfully translate that knowledge into practice, so a program without hands-on coaching will not set life coaches up for success. Nobody wants to stumble through the first several clients!
Is There Post Certification Support?
It is quite an accomplishment to get a life coaching certification. At this point, many people feel ready to get out there and get some clients! It is essential to determine whether the firm you work with offers post-certification support. How do I market myself? How do I get my first client? So many questions arise after obtaining the certification, and it is crucial that whoever you work with for certification provides extended support and resources throughout your life-coaching career. At Life Purpose Institute, we not only provide high-quality ICF certification programs but also walk you through every step to ensure your tremendous success! We believe life coaches have a unique opportunity to change the world, one client at a time, and we are in it for the long haul! Check out the reviews of life coach students who have completed their certification through us – we pride ourselves on being the biggest and most valuable support for life coaches today!
Life Coaching Umbrella
The diversity of certification and training programs under the umbrella of life coaching can be confusing, and it is important to know that not all certification programs are created equal. If you have done any research, you have already figured that out. Cost, online learning, and resources can be significant factors for those pursuing this rewarding career choice. Since not all coaching training programs are created equally, it is wise to write down some key questions to help you decide which program is best for you. Ultimately, life coaches want certification from a reputable, respected organization and a partner for long-term success. Never enroll in a program before you have asked the right questions!
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