How to choose a coach on Life Coach Directory

Whatever stage you're at in life, choosing to work with a life coach is a big decision. It can feel like a significant investment, not only financially, but also in terms of your time, energy and commitment.

Once you've decided coaching is something you'd like to explore, the next question naturally follows: how do you choose the right coach?

With so many professionals, coaching styles and specialisms available, it can feel a little overwhelming at first. The good news is that finding the right coach doesn't have to be complicated. Taking a little time to think about what's important to you can make the process much easier.

To help make the process easier, we’ll walk you through how to use our search tool to find the right coach for you.

Before you start

Ask around for recommendations

Personal recommendations can be a great place to start. While everyone has different preferences when it comes to coaching, hearing about someone else's positive experience may help you begin your search with confidence.

Particularly if you know someone who has already tried coaching, ask them about their experience. What did they think of their coach, and do they have any advice for you?

If they had a positive experience and would recommend their coach to you, you can use our site search (which you can find in our top toolbar) to find their name.

Decide on the important factors

Much like when looking for a new job or a new home, you need to decide on the factors that are essential and which ones you can afford to compromise on.

Some questions to consider:

• Do you have a budget?
• Are you looking for someone close to home?
• Or someone based near where you work?
• Would you prefer to work with a coach of a particular gender?
• Is face-to-face coaching comfortable and/or convenient for you?
• Would you prefer to receive coaching online or via the telephone?

Having a clear idea of what's most important to you before you begin searching can make the process feel much less overwhelming.

Searching for a coach

Search by location

To search for professionals in your area, select 'In person' and enter your location - your town or postcode. You can then use the distance filter to increase the search area, depending on how far you are able to travel.

Search for online coaching

Lots of coaches offer online and telephone coaching, taking distance out of the equation. Many of our coaches offer online and telephone sessions, allowing you to choose the person who feels right for you, regardless of where they are based.

Search by topic

Most people who start coaching have something, in particular, they are seeking help with, whether it’s confidence, career, personal development, or something else.

If something specific is bothering you or getting in the way of you achieving your goals, you can use our 'Types of coaching' drop-down menu to find a coach that can specifically help with that area.

Browse some profiles

We have hundreds of life coaches, business coaches and NLP practitioners listed, all with different approaches and expertise. If you click on a coach’s name, you can find out more about them, along with their contact details and fees. You’ll notice some organisations are listed below the individual coaches too, some of which may also be able to offer you support.

Just as every coach is different, so is every profile on our website. Some coaches show their thought leadership through writing articles or hosting events; others may have video content. Get a feel for who they are, how they work and what they're passionate about. Reading articles they've written, watching videos or learning more about their approach can help you decide whether they're the right fit for you.

Key things to look out for

Our coaches list a lot of information on their profiles, and it can be helpful to notice some of the extra features that can help you find what you’re looking for.

Pay particular attention to the following whilst browsing coach profiles:

• types of sessions available (face-to-face, online and telephone)
• details of other languages spoken, including British Sign Language (BSL)
• accessibility
• availability

Within a coach’s profile, you can find out more specific information about their qualifications and experience, as well as what they can help you with. They may provide more guidance about their areas of speciality and how long they have been helping clients within these areas.

Remember, if they have been working in the area that you are looking for help with for some time, they are likely to have built up a solid knowledge base of what is most likely to help you. Do bear in mind, however, that although you may gravitate toward professionals who specialise in a particular area, it can be helpful to have a different perspective.

For instance, rather than looking for a coach who has walked the same path in life as you, what’s perhaps more important is their ability to get you in the right mindset for success. So, it could be helpful to seek a coach who can help you see things from a different point of view. This can help to completely transform your life.

Start reaching out

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to a few professionals who fit your criteria and who you get a good ‘feel’ for, the next step is to approach them. Simply click on the ‘Message me’ button at the top of their profile and fill in the form to tell the coach a little bit about you and what you’re looking to achieve from coaching.

Or, feel free to give them a call. Many coaches are happy to arrange a short introductory conversation to answer your questions and help you decide whether you're likely to work well together.

We hope you’ll feel excited to start coaching as soon as you’ve found the right person. But don’t feel you have to make a decision right away; take your time to think things over if you need to.

Once you’ve chosen a coach

Make sure you have a connection with your coach before committing to more sessions

When searching for a coach, one element that is just as important as the above factors (if not more so) is trusting your gut instinct. Listen to your intuition and choose who you feel drawn to.

Your connection with this person is vital. It’s important that you feel that your coach understands you personally and cares about your goals, so good rapport is key. Try to establish this on the phone or via email before your first appointment, if you can.

Part of ensuring you make a good connection is working out if their style of coaching will suit you. Each life coach will coach differently, based on their personality and training. Some coaches’ sessions are very organised and structured while others are more open and free-flowing. Some coaches are warm and supportive, while others can be more confrontational and challenging. Ask your prospective coach how they would describe their style, and then think about whether that is the type of support you need at this point in your life to achieve your goals.

Do your own checks

Whichever coach you opt to see, remember that you can ask about their training and experience before your first session. This includes confirmation of their up-to-date professional body membership and professional insurance - as well as evidence of any relevant qualifications.

It’s perfectly reasonable to ask for clarification if there’s something you don’t understand. This can give you peace of mind before you commence the coaching relationship.

Don’t be disheartened if it’s not right the first time around

If the first professional you reach out to isn’t quite right for you, please don’t give up. There are many different branches of coaching, and each practitioner has their own life experiences and will often have different techniques and approaches. So, if you don’t have success with one at first, it is always worth trying someone else.

Whilst taking the first step into coaching can feel daunting, finding the right coach can have a lasting impact. Whether your goal is to build confidence, manage stress, improve relationships, change career direction or simply understand yourself better, coaching can provide the support and perspective needed to help you move forwards.