Anyone can call themselves a life coach. So how do you choose one?

When I decided to become a life coach, I chose to undertake formal training, graduating with a Life Coaching Diploma from The Coaching Academy. For me, getting this qualification wasn't about having a certificate to hang on my wall and feel good about myself, it was about developing the skills and knowledge to coach professionally and responsibly, in order to give clients confidence. 

But if you're thinking about working with a coach, you might be surprised to learn that coaching is an unregulated industry in the UK.

In other words, just about any Tom, Dick or Harriet can set themselves up as a life coach. No qualifications required. No compulsory training. No official licence.

Isn’t that a little worrying?

Maybe.

But before you get too concerned, and abandon altogether the idea of looking for a coach, there are a few things worth knowing.

Unregulated doesn't mean unprofessional.

There are thousands of highly skilled, experienced and ethical life coaches doing excellent work. Many have undertaken extensive training, gained recognised qualifications and committed themselves to professional standards.

But how do you tell the difference?

Here are a few questions worth asking before choosing a coach.

1. What qualifications do they have?

There are recognised coaching qualifications and professional bodies, including the Association for Coaching (AC), the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).

Ask about the coach’s training, qualifications and whether they follow a recognised professional code of ethics.

And don't be afraid to ask what their qualifications actually mean.

2. What experience do they have?

Qualifications matter, but so does experience.

Find out how long they've been coaching, the types of people they've worked with and whether they have experience relevant to what you're hoping to achieve.

Remember, though, that coaching isn't really about someone having walked in your shoes. It's about their ability to help you find your own way forward.

3. Do you feel comfortable with them?

This is a big one.

Coaching involves honest conversations, sometimes about things you haven't discussed with anyone else.

You need to feel comfortable talking openly to someone who, is in effect, a stranger. You need to be confident that you are being listened to and respected – and above all, are not being judged.

4. Are they clear about what coaching can - and can't - do?

A professional coach should explain how they work, what you can expect from sessions and how confidentiality is handled.

A red flag is anyone that promises to miraculously transform your life by the end of your agreed number of coaching sessions.

And importantly, coaching isn't counselling or therapy. A responsible coach understands the distinction and recognises when someone might benefit from a different kind of specialised professional support.

5. Can you have a conversation before committing?

I'd be wary of anyone expecting you to sign up for a series of sessions without first having an opportunity to talk.

An introductory conversation gives you both the chance to decide whether working together feels right.

Since coaching is a two-way relationship, the coach needs to be right for you just as much as you need to be right for the coach.

6. Are they too pushy?

Good coaching starts with trust, not a sales pitch. An effective life coach spends 70% of their time listening and 30% talking so be wary if your potential coach deflects or just blatantly ignores any of your comments, questions or reservations.

Also beware of aggressive sales tactics like pressuring you to sign up immediately after an introductory Discovery Call, using phoney urgency (“I’m afraid the price doubles if you don’t commit in the next hour”) - or being very vague about pricing.

A final thought

There isn’t a section on Checkatrade for Life Coaches which means it’s not as straightforward as choosing a plumber or electrician who need to have safety certifications and professional memberships.

However, don't make qualifications the sole measure of competence. Yes, they’re an important reassurance, but professional conduct, experience and personal chemistry matter too.

In lieu of regulations, there are questions you can ask, standards you can look for and instincts you can trust.

And perhaps the most important thing to remember is that a good coach should welcome your questions, not feel threatened by them.

After all, if someone is going to ask challenging questions of you, they should be happy to answer a few of yours first.