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If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you’ll know that personal development matters to me. Life coaching, rather unexpectedly, became an important part of that.
To be honest, I was initially sceptical. I wondered whether coaching offered genuine value or was simply an impressive title without much substance behind it. For a long time, my question was: “Are life coaches legit?”
My experience changed my opinion. But choosing a coach still deserves careful thought. A polished website, a long list of initials or enthusiastic testimonials should be the starting point for your research—not the end of it.
Some Coaches Are Brilliant
My opinion of coaching changed when I received an email from Cindy Scott, a coach trainer and life coach. She asked whether I would help her market her practice.
I didn’t know Cindy personally, but I knew of her. We had connections through people and organisations I respected, and her training and experience gave me reasons to take her work seriously.
We agreed on an exchange. I helped her start blogging and moved her website to a new template. In return, she took me into her coach training program.
I was surprised by how valuable the experience turned out to be. I also earned a growth coach certification through that experience.
That was my introduction to coaching—not proof that every coach is suitable for every client. It showed me why it is worth looking beyond first impressions and asking what someone’s training actually involves.
The Difference Between Coaching and Counselling
At first, I assumed counselling would always make more sense. After all, I was more familiar with the qualifications associated with that profession.
However, coaching and counselling are not interchangeable.
Coaching generally focuses on goals, choices, action and accountability. For a business owner, that might mean exploring priorities, improving working habits or deciding how to approach a career transition.
Counselling offers a space to explore feelings, experiences and difficulties with a trained professional. It is not simply someone prescribing a course of action. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy explains that therapists help people explore their concerns and find their own solutions rather than generally telling them what to do.
Both approaches can involve thoughtful questions and discussion. The distinction is not that counselling is for people who are “unhealthy” while coaching is for people who are “healthy”.
A coaching qualification alone does not qualify someone to diagnose or treat mental-health conditions. If you need support with your mental health, seek an appropriately qualified healthcare or mental-health professional. Coaching should not be presented as a replacement for that care.
Why Coaching Helped Me
Initially, I wondered: “Shouldn’t a coach just tell me what to do? My basketball coaches never asked which plays we should run!”
What helped me was discovering how much I could learn through questions rather than instructions.
The conversations encouraged me to examine my assumptions, recognise experience I had overlooked and take responsibility for my decisions. I wasn’t being handed every answer. I was being given space to work through the questions.
That is also why reflective questioning can be useful outside a formal coaching session. Questions such as “What am I trying to achieve?” and “What could I do differently?” can make a vague concern easier to address.
For entrepreneurs and small-business owners, coaching conversations might explore:
- Which priorities deserve attention.
- What is preventing progress.
- Which tasks could be delegated.
- What a realistic next step looks like.
- How progress will be reviewed.
Those are possible areas of support, not guaranteed outcomes. The value depends on the coach, your needs and what you do with the conversations afterwards.
What About Money?
Coaching is a commitment of both money and time. Before paying for it, decide what you want help with and what you can comfortably afford.
For much of my life, my personal-development budget stretched to a book a month. I also learned through networking and spending time around people whose experience I respected.
Those options still have value. You might consider a peer mastermind group, a mentor or a shorter coaching arrangement before committing to a large package.
Ask for clear information about session fees, frequency, cancellation terms and any minimum commitment. If you arrange an exchange of services, agree on what each person will provide.
It is also worth asking how you will recognise progress. Perhaps you want clearer priorities, a workable plan or better follow-through. Agree on when you will review whether the arrangement is helping.
Sometimes the challenge is learning to stay focused when working towards your goals. A coach may offer accountability, but the practical work between sessions remains yours.
Continue only while the support is useful and affordable—not because you feel pressured to keep buying sessions.
Who Should I Hire?
Cindy’s preparation, experience and enthusiasm helped build my confidence in her. Recommendations from people I trusted also mattered.
But recommendations should sit alongside your own checks. Before hiring a coach, consider the following.
Check Their Training and Credentials
Ask where they trained, what their qualification involved and who awarded it. A course-completion certificate and an independently assessed professional credential are not necessarily the same thing.
If someone claims a professional credential, check it with the awarding organisation. For example, the International Coaching Federation provides a “Verify a Coach” resource.
Credentials can inform your decision, but they do not guarantee a good working relationship or a particular result.
Look for Relevant Experience
I wanted someone familiar with the sectors I worked in or with experience coaching people in similar roles.
Consider whether you need life coaching, business coaching, leadership support or specialist advice. These may overlap, but a coach should be clear about what they can—and cannot—provide.
Coaching is not automatically a substitute for advice from an accountant, solicitor or another qualified specialist.
Ask About Their Approach and Boundaries
Discuss how sessions work, how goals are agreed and how progress is reviewed. Ask how confidentiality is handled and what happens if your needs fall outside the coach’s expertise.
A responsible coach should be willing to explain these boundaries rather than promise to solve every problem.
Watch for Unrealistic Promises
Be cautious about guaranteed income, instant transformation or pressure to buy an expensive package immediately.
Testimonials can provide useful context, but they are not a promise that you will have the same experience. Take time to compare options and read the agreement before committing.
Consider the Personal Fit
An introductory conversation can help you decide whether you feel comfortable asking questions and disagreeing.
You do not need someone who simply tells you what you want to hear. Equally, you should not feel shamed, pressured or dependent on them.
Is Life Coaching Worth Considering?
My experience made me more open to life coaching. The skills I learned influenced how I approached conversations with clients, colleagues and family.
That does not mean everyone needs a coach, or that coaching is the right response to every difficulty.
The useful question is not only “Are life coaches legit?” It is: “Does this particular coach have the training, experience, boundaries and approach that suit my needs?”
Start with a clear goal, check their credentials and agree on realistic expectations. Then review whether the relationship is delivering enough value to continue.
This article shares a personal experience and general information. It is not mental-health advice, and coaching is not a substitute for appropriate professional care.
Question: What kind of coach can you enlist today to help you?
You may also like: The Difference Between Business and Executive Coaching
About the Author
I am a full-time marketing and organizational consultant and chief marketing officer of MEK Review, a progressive educational company. I specialize in crafting strategic solutions for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits to tell their story and build market share.
My blog is about marketing, leadership, and personal development. I share what I’ve learned from my successes, and perhaps more importantly, my mistakes. I generally post twice a week.
Image source: stock.adobe.com
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