um, 'life coach'?

[KG]

lamest concept ever? :wtf:

[Chan790]

1. Am one.

and maybe, but no more so than psychiatry or religion.

(am also a ordained minster and in therapy. You'd be fair to say that I'm willing to engage in assorted life-improvement nonsense.)

[HappyMe]

2. So, what does a life coach do?

Not bein snarky, just curious.

[Chan790]

7. In a basic overview sense...

I facilitate people in reaching their specific desired stated goals. (I have an area of expertise but it's not really relevant as I'm not currently in-practice and I'd rather not disclose.)

Unlike psychology which is problem-oriented life-coaching tends to be be task and goal-oriented, typically towards a predetermined endpoint. (It should be pointed out that there is a significant cross-over, a lot of life-coaches are also psychologists though I am not.) Much like psychology, there are differing approaches and methodologies to life-coaching. I tend to utilize exercises and assignments to assess progress towards metrics while others might rely more on conversation or upon providing moral or emotional support or facilitating self-empowerment and finding answers within oneself. Most life coaches work within a specific area or topic, frequently one which intersects with another discipline. (Anything from athletic-trainer to midwife to chef to expertise on life after divorce or dating/intimacy issues or issues specific to individuals in "creative" fields.)

Things you might hire a life-coach for: (in addition to other professional support or training)

*overcoming writer's block.
*jumpstarting a weight-loss plan.
*writing a novel.
*training for a marathon.
*overcoming shyness.
*preparing for single parenthood (or parenthood in general)
*re-entering the dating pool.
*changing career fields/positioning yourself for promotion/professional development.
(or just about any other personal goal you can think of that might require support, expertise and/or help.)

[madinmaryland]

8. Dude! Go easy on the buzz words. Now I might just have to get a buzz on!

:smoke:

:hi:

[Chan790]

10. Geez, you're right.

I should have reread that before I posted it. It's jargontastic.

Much simpler: I coach people through the process of achievement of their personal goals on an ongoing basis.

[madinmaryland]

12. Dude! You can't stop yourself! Even your simpler comment is a buzz word extravaganza!

:hi:

Much simpler: I tell people to get their shit together and move on!

:P

[Chan790]

16. See, that's not really accurate anymore. n/t

[HappyMe]

24. Okay.

Maybe I'm just a worryin' fool, but I would be up nights going over and over what I told somebody.

[tigereye]

13. except that they don't need licenses or specific training -

or am I wrong on that? My mental health professional friends and I often joke that doing life coaching might be more lucrative and less taxing... :D

[Chan790]

17. No, you're right.

I have no licenses. I am trained though, but there are dozens of training programs, it's not necessary that one be trained and some training programs are certificate mills or worse.

I do think it's an industry in need of some regulation, certification and standards (all with enforcement and accountability)...and frequently say as much.

[ohheckyeah]

18. Aren't those things what friends are for? n/t

[HappyMe]

26. Wow, that's a lot of responsibilty.

[WinkyDink]

38. "Facilitate" and "utilize"? "Help" and "use" will do just fine.

[alphafemale]

3. It's like Psychology but you can do it without an actual education and degree and crap

You can be one because you say you are.

But hey. If people can make at living at it and there are people who will pay someone to order them around...?

Takes all kinds.

[old mark]

20. You mean like "doctor" Phil?...nt

[alphafemale]

23. or Laura....

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. nope. i think most people would be better off w.a life couch

[Tuesday Afternoon]

29. pri..

couch :rofl:

even if you meant coach.

the "Freudian" slip is hilarious, either way.

:hi:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

31. lol

:hi:

[nolabear]

5. The only problem I have is that there's no standard.

I think some life coaches provide a good service, helping people organize their lives and providing resources, perspective and such. But anyone can say they're a "life coach" and I've seen some damage done by people who were unprepared for what they were ultimately dealing with. There's no regulation and no adjudicating body for violations.

[Chan790]

9. I'd agree with all of that.

I've seen some real hacks in my own area of expertise and some morons who did real harm either because they were untrained, unethical or simply ill-fitted to coaching.

A certifying body, professional standards and oversight would go a long way to reining in abuses and bringing credibility.

[madinmaryland]

15. Government regulations???? The "free market" will happily regulate itself!

Sadly, many would not agree with your idea of a truly independent body regulating an industry.

[nolabear]

21. Well hell, why'd I go to all that trouble to get a degree and a license?

Wish you'd told me before I spent those thousands of hours and dollars to learn the fine points of mental health treatment.

[tigereye]

14. that's what I was just saying

almost anyone can hang out a shingle with no training, license, internship, experience, what have you, and charge money for it. It's one of my pet peeves...

[Iggo]

6. Tell that to Tijuana Jackson: Life Coach.

http://www.myspace.com/tijuanajackson

[GoneOffShore]

11. It's like that new car wax - charlie sheen.

[Skittles]

19. no

some people need help with life outside of psychiatric help

[nolabear]

22. True dat. But there are some sharks out there.

[Skittles]

33. there are sharks in EVERY arena

[Beaverhausen]

25. um, criticizing things you don't know about?

lamest concept ever.

I went to a life coach who was recommended by a friend. She really helped me in my personal and professional life.

[KG]

27. witnessed a couple of them, and their clients, in action.

blind leading the blind.

[Beaverhausen]

30. LOL- well, among the many great things I learned is to ignore insulting comments like this

and send light to you. :hi:

[BuddhaGirl]

35. +1

:thumbsup:

Good response :-)

[Taverner]

28. Think Flannery O'Connor's Church of Jesus Christ without Jesus Christ

:)

[Liberal_in_LA]

32. Someone better have their live really together to be my life coach: Nobel prize, astronaut, building

homes for homeless, chef, etc... Not some average joe/jane looking for easy paycheck

[Blue-Jay]

34. I will be your "common sense-talking" friend for a price.

Pay your bills.
Don't eat that!
Stop goofing off at work.
A Tic Tac wouldn't kill ya.
You missed a spot shaving this morning.
Smile, don't frown.
Hit the gym, because rich people don't hire fat folks.
Stop scratching your balls in public.
Get off the shed!
Use moisturizer, you dry-ass, ashy bastard.
Wash your ass, stinky!

[Pool Hall Ace]

39. In other words, "life coach", right?

By the way, I love your common sense! :rofl:

[Forkboy]

36. I'm thinking about becoming a death coach.

I have plenty of tips for those interested.... :P

[JonLP24]

37. !

:rofl:

[mysuzuki2]

40. I think it's a California thing.