topic Re: Life Coach? in Community Chat

Life Coach?

Villagesbabe — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 00:45:56 GMT

I'm thinking about recommending a life coach to my adult son who may benefit from one. Has anyone had experience using one or know anyone who has used one, are they worth it, and are there any bewares. Thanks.

Re: Life Coach?

DiAnne — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 00:54:39 GMT

They have very little training - at least the ones I am aware of.

Re: Life Coach?

ahoymate — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 01:01:04 GMT

I'd want to know the education, background, training, experience etc. It seems like there are people who are not well educated & calling themselves life coach or therapist, as in a yoga therapist. Doesn't sound credible to me.

Re: Life Coach?

Kachina624 — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 01:06:44 GMT

If I needed help managing my life, I'd seek a licensed therapist. They have the education and training.

Re: Life Coach?

Mellyg — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 01:12:47 GMT

I have mixed feelings. I had a friend that went to one and spoke highly of her experience. I contemplated a life coach for my step son; but I thought about what I would want him to achieve/gain from a life coach; he needed a positive mentor. Think about what you'd want your son to get out of the experience, and assess if a life coach is the means to meet the objective.

Re: Life Coach?

Cakers3 — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 01:17:52 GMT

@Villagesbabe wrote:
I'm thinking about recommending a life coach to my adult son who may benefit from one. Has anyone had experience using one or know anyone who has used one, are they worth it, and are there any bewares. Thanks.

@Villagesbabe I don't know what is prompting you to think about a life coach for your son and you do not have to disclose your reason.

I would strongly suggest, however, that if your son is struggling with a particular issue(s), a licensed therapist would be the better route.

While there are certifications for becoming a life coach, those certifications can range from a week-end crash course to more intensive training. No background education is needed.

A therapist will have the necessary qualifications to do the same thing as a life coach; only with more expertise in counseling and guidance techniques.

I would also think about if your son is open to any suggestion you may make; whether he would benefit will eventually be determined by his commitment and acceptance of assistance.

Keep in mind there is a cost factor, too.

Good luck-my suggestion is a licensed counselor.

All the best to you and your son.

Re: Life Coach?

GoneButNotForgotten — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 02:49:59 GMT

Anyone can hang out a "Life Coach" shingle; that doesn't mean they have a clue what they're doing.

I would suggest a therapist but not a "Life Coach". I can think of one who left a large church, had some mental problems herself, and then decided she was a "life coach" because her students (she was a teacher) sometimes asked her advice.

Does that qualify her to be a "Life Coach"? I seriously doubt it.

Re: Life Coach?

JasoninBoston — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 12:40:25 GMT

I have been to both several life coaches and several traditional therapists over the years and what I would say whatever he does---it has to resonate with him and not just come from you.

One of the life coaches I went to was part of the Tony Robbins process who I got into after watching him on the Q with Lisa Robertson. And that was an intense experience. In addition to being extremely expensive, what was required was really kind of out there!! I remember my coach telling me that I needed to scream my affirmations as forcefully as possible. And all this was done over our phone secessions and on several occasions resulted in knocks on my apt door by my concerned neighbor--checking to see if I was okay!! 2 years and close to 20 thousand dollars later and visits to several Tony Robbins in person events I decided I had enough.

Did it help? Perhaps some---but in the end-- I wasn't totally invested in that process to keep it up-- and I think the coach felt I wasn't serious about wanting what they could "offer me"!

I have also been to medically trained (Mds)-- in various very traditional office settings. One of the medicial drs was Fruedian and would always ask "What was the main feeling of the dream" and questions like that. Never offering his input!! I grew frustrated with that process as well after several years ended up stopping.

There were several other life coaches I went to on recommendations from friends who seemed even more unhelpful than the above!!

For me therapy and going these various coaches may have helped some---but I wouldn't say they were the silver bullet solutions. And I think the most important thing related to this as well is---just because someone is a life coach or traditional therapist doesn't mean they're good!!

In the end, I do think we all need to find purpose and a reason to live and that has to come from ourselves--not our parents or friends....what works for someone doesn't always work the same for someone else!!

Re: Life Coach?

sandy53 — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 11:54:10 GMT

Going to a life coach is like going to a quack "nutritionist" when you really need a registered dietitian.

Re: Life Coach?

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 12:05:53 GMT

I know of a school mate that is a life coach....when I read some of the stuff she speaks of...well lets just say I roll my eyes and shake my head and not in a good way.

If it were me, I'd see a therapist.

Re: Life Coach?

Gorgf — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 12:22:10 GMT

I think these Life Coaches have counseling degrees and decided to go this direction and specialize. I went to a workshop at a conference years ago and went to a short session. The woman presenting was a counselor. I would check into credentials.

Remember the TV show "Mom" where she became a self appointed Life Coach? Business cards and all. Lol.

Re: Life Coach?

SilleeMee — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 13:02:22 GMT

Life coaches show you the best roads to take in life, meaning they don't fill the potholes in roads you have already travelled nor will they fix the roads ahead. Their job is to find the best roads worth travelling, the ones without obstacles or dead ends. Life coaches don't experiment, but instead look for things already tried and true.

Re: Life Coach?

silkyk — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 15:33:02 GMT

@sandy53 wrote:
Going to a life coach is like going to a quack "nutritionist" when you really need a registered dietitian.

I'm sorry but when I think of a "life coach " my weird little mind immediately goes to Chris and his Matt Foley.....A Scary Story on Halloween! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LyqPdZjQTY

Re: Life Coach?

MomCat — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 15:41:41 GMT

What the heck is a Life Coach??? I thought parents were that. After you're grown, you need to surround yourself with good solid people to influence and encourage you. That's free advice!

Re: Life Coach?

chrystaltree — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 16:07:50 GMT

It's not a real profession. Just find a bossy person; find one and have that person tell your son how to live his life. I'd volunteer but I'm already bossing enough people around. LOL

Re: Life Coach?

ALRATIBA — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 16:06:11 GMT

@Villagesbabe

Kim Gravel is a "life coach." Perhaps she has some openings .....

From her online bio ... (https://www dot kimgravel doc com/about )

In 1991, at the age of 19, Kim became one of the youngest Miss Georgias in the state pageant’s history. She went on to represent her home state in the renowned Miss America pageant and thus was asked to serve as US Goodwill Ambassador to Japan, where she spoke to corporations and the Japanese parliament. Combining her expertise skills of communication and leadership, Kim is also a certified Life Coach.

Re: Life Coach?

chrystaltree — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 16:06:57 GMT

@MomCat wrote:
What the heck is a Life Coach??? I thought parents were that. After you're grown, you need to surround yourself with good solid people to influence and encourage you. That's free advice!

Just someone who advertises themselves as such. It's not a real profession so no qualifications or education is required. Just the ability to tell people how you think they should live their lives and a bank account to deposit the checks they give you. Why do you assume that parents can ensure that their children will never ever encounter a bump in the road or get lost or need a little help?

Re: Life Coach?

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 17:10:22 GMT

@chrystaltree ...my class mate that is a life coach makes a boat load of money...crazy that people pay a lot of money to help them with their 'journey'.

She talked a good game in school, so I was not terribly surprised when I saw what her profession was....she lives on the east coast in a fancy, fancy neighborhood.

Re: Life Coach?

suzyQ3 — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 17:24:26 GMT

@Gorgf wrote:
I think these Life Coaches have counseling degrees and decided to go this direction and specialize. I went to a workshop at a conference years ago and went to a short session. The woman presenting was a counselor. I would check into credentials.

Remember the TV show "Mom" where she became a self appointed Life Coach? Business cards and all. Lol.

@Gorgf, that was my first thought when I read this thread! So funny.

Re: Life Coach?

tends2dogs — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 19:35:43 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
It's not a real profession. Just find a bossy person; find one and have that person tell your son how to live his life. I'd volunteer but I'm already bossing enough people around. LOL

Wow, I never would have guessed that!