Frequently Asked Questions
There are many definitions for life coaching, but my personal definition is: “a process that unlocks the inner potential of a person, and in which empowers that person to overcome the obstacles in their life, to achieve their life’s purpose, and to become who they truly want to be.” Life coaching helps individuals reduce their stress, navigate relationship issues, further their career, improve their self-confidence and self-worth, find a healthy work-life balance, as well as many other benefits.
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Are you human? If the answer is yes, then you could benefit from coaching! But in all seriousness, there is not one person who can’t benefit from life coaching. People usually seek out a coach when they have an obstacle in their life that they can’t seem to get past, or perhaps a relationship that is in jeopardy. Usually these people would like some assistance in moving past that obstacle or in helping work through that relationship issue. In addition, people seek out coaching when they feel they are lacking something in their lives, whether that is purpose, time, money, happiness, companionship, or any number of life essentials.
Life coaching works for a number of reasons, the main reason being that it simply produces results. According to a recent ICF study, 99% of individuals who have had a life coach report that it was helpful for them, with 95% of those reporting that it’s been very helpful for them. In all, 96% reported that they would engage in coaching services again.
First and foremost, you’ll want to choose a certified credentialed coach that belongs to the International Coach Federation (ICF), which is the most recognized certifying body for life coaches. If a life coach isn’t credentialed through the ICF, it’s kind of like going to a doctor who doesn’t have an MD. Sure, you could do it, but it’s not really a good idea. Second, you’ll want to ask them how much experience they have. Also, ask if they have any other degrees or experience in related fields. All of this plays into the differences between a bad, a good, and a great coach.
In general, life coaching is focused on the future, whereas counseling is focused more on one’s past. Life coaching is also more action-oriented and focuses around goals, change, and results for the client, while counseling is focused more on inner healing and helping people move past psychological barriers and disorders. Lastly, life coaches give you the freedom on how you want to structure any given session, as well as the communication that follows; counselors often have a process or psychological model that they lead clients through on the road to overcoming trauma, mental illness, and addictions. While the two professions certainly have a lot of overlap, especially in the psychological arena, they are two distinctly different professions, and each individual has to decide which is right for themselves.
I’ve heard that life coaches aren’t as good as counselors. Is life coaching a legitimate profession?
There is no doubt that many “life coaches” aren’t exactly professionals. An increase in amateur coaches who have little to no proper training in life coaching has led to a stigma that life coaching isn’t a professional or worthwhile profession, even though that couldn’t be further from the truth. As a profession, coaching has been shown to reduce stress an average of 18% to 47% after a short three-month period (CoachConnect), and yields a return on investment of almost six times its cost (Business Wire). And as far as coaches are concerned, always remember to ask if a life coach is credentialed with the International Coach Federation (ICF), which lends credibility to the coach and to the profession. Take a look at all the ways to verify if a particular life coach is worth their weight in coaching!
No. Life coaching helps to produce lasting change in someone’s life, which takes time. That’s why professional coaches set the expectation up front that coaching is a long-term investment, not a short-term quick fix. Consider sticking coaching out for at least a few months, since clients who use coaching for less than that can often become discouraged, since they might not immediately see the outcomes they’re looking for (much like people who just started working out at a gym).
This is of course a very valid concern for many individuals before they embark on such a journey. And indeed, one of my core values is honesty, making sure prospective clients have all the information they need to make an informed decision. That’s why I want to make sure you are completely aware of what the coaching process entails and if it’s right for you by scheduling a free complimentary consultation with you. You get to decide if we move forward, simple as that.
I personally consider every aspect of coaching to be highly confidential, and will never be discussed with anyone for any reason. What this means is that any form of communication or information expressed during any given coaching session will never be communicated to any third-party without prior written consent by the client. There are, however, two extremely rare exceptions: one, if the client, by the coach’s estimation, becomes a danger to themselves or to another individual, and two, if a court of law directly orders the coach to divulge such information to the court. In addition, the client agrees to the disclosure of their name and email address to the International Coach Federation for the purpose of the coach needing to officially document their coaching hours. The client will never be contacted by the ICF except for the possibility of confirming the documented hours.
The reasons usually fall into one of three categories: time, money, or energy. In other words, people say they don’t have enough time in their busy lives, or they don’t have the money at the moment, or they don’t have enough energy to devote to coaching. Many individuals, though, find that such concerns melt away when they understand the coaching process. While it may be a commitment financially and emotionally in the beginning, you are quite literally “investing” in yourself, and I have yet to encounter many people who after a few months felt as if it wasn’t worth it. You might also want to take a look at some common coaching concerns that others share as well.
Yes! Please be advised that life coaching may result in greater happiness, contentment, life enjoyment, job satisfaction, overall pleasure in life, and significantly less stress.
Career and life coaching. While there are many different niches to explore in the coaching profession, these two define my motivation for coaching and helping people. I personally have had a number of individuals close to me who struggle in these areas, and helping them through such difficult circumstances is very rewarding indeed. If you’re having trouble with your current career or need to find a new one, or find yourself “stuck” in life or in a rut, please don’t hesitate to contact me so that we can start helping you too.
Outside of my specialty, I offer a wide variety of coaching including relationship coaching, spiritual and/or Christian coaching, corporate coaching, health coaching, financial coaching, and many others. If you don’t see your situation listed here, contact me and we will discuss your unique situation and answer any questions you may have.
The International Coach Federation (ICF) reports that the average person uses a life coach for 12.8 months, and my own practice mirrors that for the most part. Personally, though, I have had clients go as little as a few months and some for multiple years (with the average being right around one year), but of course it’s completely up to the client and their specific goals.
Yes, bring lots of questions! You’ll get the opportunity to learn more about coaching in general and my practice specifically, have plenty of time to ask every question that you may have, and we’ll wrap up with how coaching fees work and other logistics. Feel free to schedule your complimentary phone consultation at any time.
Not really. You’ll have a couple of forms to fill out prior to the first session, but for the most part just bring yourself. While the coach will hand out homework from time to time, coaching should be something that you plan for on your calendar, not something that you stress about or excessively prepare for.
That is completely up to you. There’s a saying among professional coaches that “clients bring the content, and coaches bring the process.” If there’s a problem in your life, we can talk about it. If you need some assistance in achieving a desired goal, we can structure a set of actions that will get us there. And if you just need a sounding board, that’s what coaching is for, too! Sessions are tailored around your agenda and your desires, not the coach’s.
You absolutely can, and I have a great deal of experience in coaching individuals with disabilities. However, understand that life coaching is very different from counseling, and some individuals with disabilities or disorders do indeed need counseling more than coaching, since coaching cannot diagnose or treat any disorder. If you’re on the fence as to which one would be best for you, go ahead and contact me and we’ll schedule a complimentary consultation so that we can talk about it in greater detail at that time.
Absolutely. Group coaching is particularly appropriate for conflict resolution and mediation type scenarios. In addition, the rates for group coaching do not change, so the cost of coaching can be divided among everyone who participates.
Yes, in two different forms. First, as a member of the the International Christian Coaching Association and the Christian Coaches Network, I offer Christian coaching to those who request it. Second, many individuals find that some form of religious or spiritual coaching in general is very helpful on their road to a more fulfilled life, and in this way I am also able to help too. Just bring up your desire or questions about this in your complimentary consultation, and we’ll talk about it in more detail.
Yes, if you live near Scottsdale, Arizona in the United States (which is where the Life by John office is located). In fact, this is by far the preferred method of coaching for those who are able, so feel free to click here for more information.
Yes, in the form of “emergency” coaching. Established clients are able to email me in the case that something happens that needs to be discussed immediately, but cannot wait until the next session. No matter what type of coaching you choose, you’ll have peace of mind that emergency coaching is available for you in-between sessions, just in case you need it.
I do offer virtual coaching via Skype software (which can be downloaded here for free), and is a great choice for those who don’t live near Scottsdale, Arizona in the United States (or for those who do live nearby but can’t make it in-person). However, if you do live nearby, seriously consider giving in-person coaching a chance since it’s by far the preferred method of coaching for those who are able. More information on the types of coaching that are offered through Life by John can be found on the Services page. Unfortunately, phone coaching is not offered at this time.
First, in my experience, meeting with a coach in-person is not only more enjoyable than virtual coaching, but it is also much more effective, since the client is often more committed to the process and more accountable to their goals. Second, it’s commonly understood in psychology that verbal communication only makes up 7% of communication in general, with tone of voice and body language making up the other 93%, which is easier to read when coaching in-person. Lastly, studies also conclude the same thing: 81% of clients say that in-person coaching is the most effective coaching method. However, like everything in coaching, coaching is about you and your agenda and your choices, so feel free to choose the best option for you!
I hold a Master of Science in Professional Counseling, a Master of Science in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science in Global Business and Leadership, as well as being credentialed as a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation (or ICF, the largest credentialing body for professional life coaches). Feel free to take a closer look at my credentials at any time.
I have seen well over 1,000 clients over more than 10,000 sessions, and I’m planning on seeing many more!
My personal philosophy is to be very genuine and down-to-earth in my approach to coaching. I won’t tell you to “just be positive” or try to sell you on a five-step plan for a happier life that only I know about. What I will do is help you find a solution to whatever problem you are facing, simple as that. In addition, I am also a strong believer in allowing the client to dictate any given session. While we’ll usually review what happened the week before, as well as develop a plan of action for the upcoming week during most sessions, I will always allow the client to bring up what is on their heart or mind and what is of the most urgency and importance to them, and then we’ll simply go from there.
My whole life I have always wanted to help people. With a wide variety of experience in psychology, business, and religion, I finally decided upon a profession that would allow me the privilege of being a part of people’s inner lives, helping them with their deepest needs and the hardest obstacles that they face. Life coaching can be a challenging profession, but seeing the results that come from it is also extremely rewarding. Expect to see a big smile on your coach’s face when you achieve something you didn’t think you could!
In short, none. Professional life coaches do not guarantee results; one, since we’re not ethically allowed to, and two, since there are so many factors that can influence the coaching process. However, life coaching is certainly a proven career field, and many studies show that life coaching does result in improved happiness, contentment, and productivity for those who commit themselves to the process. Consider life coaching like the gym – you won’t see results after your first run on the treadmill, but continue going to the gym and there’s no way that results won’t come.
Feel free to visit the Services page for a full breakdown of my coaching fees. I list those on that page (instead of trying to “hide” them) since one of my core values is honesty in how I present myself to clients, and making sure that my coaching fees are transparent and easy to understand is a big part of that value in my opinion.
We do not take insurance, however we do take HSA and FSA cards, as well as cash, check, credit and debit cards.
It actually isn’t, comparatively at least. The standard cost per session for traditional counseling services in the U.S. usually average $150 or more. Compared to traditional therapy, life coaching provides an exceptional value. In addition, keep in mind that your coaching package will also include emergency coaching via email in-between sessions, just in case you need it.
We accept cash, check, credit cards, debit cards, and HSA and FSA cards. We would of course be happy to address any concerns in this area in our initial consultation.
I do offer a select number of sliding scale slots in my schedule, and for more info on this feel free to mention it in our initial consultation.
Please do! Most of my clients are from the recommendations of my current and past clients. I also offer referral bonuses in the form of gift cards, so there’s an added incentive to tell your friends how much the life coaching through Life by John has meant to you!
Yes I do, in the form of a “Coaching Agreement,” just so that we’re both on the same page at all times. There are a couple of other miscellaneous forms, but don’t worry, you won’t be swamped with paperwork, and we’ll walk you through the entire process in your complimentary consultation.
This happens to be one of the areas that I specialize in. In fact, individuals struggling in their current career, or with finding a new one, is often one of the main reasons why people pursue life coaching. Difficulties with a boss or co-worker is commonplace for many of us and something that coaching can help with, and brainstorming the possibility of an entirely new career is possible as well. Together we can determine whether your current job or career is the best one for you, and whether or not taking a step of faith and branching out would be a better fit.
Relationships are something that all of us have to deal with, so you are not alone! People often seek out life coaching when a relationship is simply not working out, or is even on the brink of collapse, including general romantic problems, friendship difficulties, marital disputes, or even an impending divorce. A life coach will help guide you through such drama to a solution that will help make your relationship drama-free. I also offer group and couple’s coaching as well for those who would like to work on their relationship together.
Reportedly the most common reason for why individuals seek out life coaching, a surprisingly high number of people struggle with low self-confidence and self-worth. Attribute it to trauma in one’s past or current relationships, or unrealistically proportioned models in magazines and movies, or even an inability to please everyone around us. But no matter what the reason is, life coaching can help put that confidence and worth back in your life that you deserve to have.
Life coaching is a great solution for this. Finding purpose in one’s life can take a variety of forms, such as finding a greater spiritual connection, developing closer relationships, or involving one’s self in an engrossing career. If you don’t have a solid purpose at the moment for your life, do not worry, help is here!
In this weak economy, money management can be an extremely difficult task, and one in which you can become better at. Making an investment in life coaching can invest right back into your life by making you not just smarter at managing your money, but also possibly provide new opportunities to increase your income.
The most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and start a diet – and yet why do most people fall of the wagon? The answer is that they simply do not have the right support system behind them. Life coaching can be a support mechanism for you, help you develop further support systems, and keep you on the right track to being healthier and fitter for a lifetime.
Stress is something that can significantly affect one’s health. The Center for Disease Control says that over 40% of people report being very or extremely stressed in their day-to-day lives. Life coaching can help by finding the sources of stress in your life, and then making a plan to reduce or eliminate it. Schedule a free coaching consultation now to drastically reduce the stress in your life.
Being too busy is extremely common in today’s hectic world. Life coaching helps point out the areas in which you can find more time, and perhaps which areas of your life could benefit from changing in order to free up some time you didn’t even know you had.
Life coaching and spirituality are hardly at odds with one another – in fact, many individuals find their spirituality strengthened after going through the life coaching process with a coach, by being encouraged and held accountable to their belief system. Having a belief in a higher power often helps put our smaller lives into perspective, adding meaning and importance at the same time. If your faith is important to you, then it’s my goal to help you become stronger in it.
Though I specialize in career and life coaching, life coaching in general can be applied across a wide variety of situations and challenges. I usually refer out individuals with serious disorders, suicidal tendencies, etc. However, rest assured that your specific situation will be explored thoroughly in a complimentary consultation to make sure coaching is right for you.
