Life coaching? anyone??

Question: Has anyone ever had experience using a life coach? I spoke with one yesterday and she'll be calling me back today for me to give her a decision, but I 'm reticent to go ahead with this. I've been grappling with a few issues lately in my life, (my love life and business life, particularly) have been in a rut.
What makes me reticent is that she seems a bit pushy, (then again, it's kinda her job I guess); and when I inquired as to the price for her services she started in with, "well right now we're having a special - buy all 3 months up front and you'll save $200!" It's not that I think she'll take the money and run, becuase she has an extensive website up, it's just that in her line of business as a licensed therapist, (w/ a masters in Psych, btw) I found it an immediate red flag to hear the words, 'right now we're having a special'. - sounds cheesy and unprofessional. Anyway, it can be seen as a prudent investment that will pay for itself, but at the same time, after a big talk about my issues with my SIL yesterday, I came away with a burden lifted and wonder if I can now lift myself from this rut with her help instead.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

While I have not had personal experience with a life coach, a friend of mine has - with great results. My suggestion is to interview several different life coaches and find the one that's right for you. This is going to be a big investment - time, money, and self - and personally, I would want to take my time and "shop around" before making a decision like this. It sounds as though you have some reservations about this one. In the end you may decide that she is the one for you, but maybe these reservations are your intuition telling you she is not the one!

Just my two cents. Good luck to you. :)

The special may just mean the economic slow down has hit her, too and she's looking to generate some business.

Both of your comments occurred to me - thank you. I did, perhaps get a vibe that maybe she's not the right particular fit. Maybe I am wrong in feeling this, but I perhaps get the sense that I want some one a bit older and more seasoned - she seems young, maybe 40-42, not sure. Also, yes the economic slowdown - this can be an obvious crunch in her line of work, but then again, economic slowdowns are when people start to take stock and reconsider their options or "reorganize" if you will, so it could be a job booster for her - who knows - sounds like a slowdown.

My brother had great results with a life coach.

Why does her age bother you? I mean, it's not like she's 22.

Get references and talk to others for comparison.

Not sure Tulip why the age seems an issue, just that someone a bit older has been through more. At the same time, she seems quite qualified. Not only the masters in Psychology, but she's on various coaching boards etc. I think I've decided, after a restless night, to take one more month to think about it and to interview a few others - make sure she's the right one.

I think if you're going to meet with a life coach, you have to click, like talking to a therapist. If you don't respect her, you won't take her advice. This one may be a good coach but she may not be for you. Keep trying to find the one that clicks!

Here's my $.02 worth:

I worked with a life coach for about 6 months. He came highly recommended and believe it or not, it was all over the phone - he lives in a different state and I never met him!

With that said, be prepared for a financial and time committment. You WILL have homework. And be prepared to deal with some things about yourself or others that you may not want to hear/deal with. Be prepared for emotions to come out - fear, anger, grief, tears - whatever may be in Pandora's box, because a good life coach is gonna make you dig deep and progress comes when the box opens and you deal with whatevers in there.

A good life coach is intuitive. Within a half hour of talking to me my coach he had pegged several things about me that I had never even put to words, but as soon as he pointed them out I realized he was dead on. They should also give you a free half hour session to see if you are a good fit. If they can't figure some things out about you during that time it's probably not a good fit.

Remember that a life coach is NOT a psychiatrist, shrink etc. I am surprised you said this one is a licensed therapist because they are different things. Though that's not necessarily a bad thing but something I would talk over with her since they would usually get charged different hourly rates (a coach should be less). I'd also ask what training she follows and look into it to see if it's something that resonates with you.

All-in-all I had a good experience. I dealt with issues I didn't know I had:D but found they were hurdles in both my professional and personal lifes. The changes did not come quickly and remember that it's always a work in progress. I stopped working with him because of the financial committment and he got so busy that we were having scheduling conflicts that were annoying me.

From your perspective, I'd do my research on the coach and find the right one. Then WRITE down what it is you want out of the experience in terms of goals (they should actually provide you with a worksheet to fill out before your first session anyway). Then keep an open mind and be flexible to the path you will take as you start your journey.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Dar

Thanks a lot guys. Of course, now all of a sudden I need some emergency dental work this afternoon and the minute the dentist sees my mouth - talk about Pandora's box. What this means is that I may be putting the life coaching on hold to pay for the impending dental work - we'll see - i'll keep you posted. Btw, maybe I got that wrong about licensed therapist part - not sure.

Thank you Ruth, I will be sure to check out that website, and you
re right - it's soo great to get all these great opinions on the subject - very helpful for making an informed decision!:D

I met a great life coach that I was thinking I might use if I didn't achieve certain things by the time I could afford her. I think I'm on the way to achieving them, so I may not need to work with her.

She did a team building exercise for my old work, and I felt she was very engaging, very interesting, and very perceptive. I can certainly send you some info on her if you're interested in checking out who is out there.

Of course my take on the dental work was that the universe was maybe just giving you a hint. Not now is easier to hear that not this one :o

Sending butterflies for an easy time through the dental work, fabulous healing, and inspiration and insight to either find the right coach, or find the right support network and methods of gaining those breakthroughs yourself.

Hugs, too,
~T~

I am currently studying social work (almost done yay!) and one of the key things my professors have always said is to build trust with a client! By her telling you her "deals" doesnt make you feel warm or trusting of her. I dont believe any liscenced therapest would even say something like that...

I listen to bad vibes, especially if the vibes are about stuff that are connected to what she's supposed to be doing.

Which is to say, if she were going to work on my bicycle but seemed pushy about the deal I could get right now, I'd care more about her mechanical skills. However, a life coach who's talking like a car salesperson? Wait, wait, there's more! Cringe. A *life coach* should not make me queasy.