Many young adults are turning to life coaches for guidance and support. But what exactly is life coaching, and is it worth the investment? This article explores the life coaching industry, its benefits, potential drawbacks, and how it differs from traditional therapy.
What is Life Coaching?
Life coaching aims to help individuals achieve their goals, improve their well-being, and overcome challenges. Unlike therapy, which often focuses on past trauma and mental health issues, life coaching typically concentrates on the present and future, empowering clients to take control of their lives.
Personal Experiences with Life Coaching
Shamin, a 27-year-old producer, sought life coaching to develop coping mechanisms for work stress. She discovered that her stress stemmed from her perception of situations, rather than the work itself. Shushan and Queen, both in their 30s, also benefited from life coaching, finding it empowering and helpful in addressing feelings of emptiness.
Skepticism and Growing Popularity
While some remain skeptical, viewing it as paying for guidance they should already possess, life coaching's popularity is growing, particularly among millennials and Gen Z. Many see it as a "shortcut to life," offering targeted guidance to achieve desired outcomes more efficiently.
A Life Coach's Perspective: Sylvia Chan
Sylvia Chan, co-founder of Night Owl Cinematics, experienced public cancellation after workplace harassment allegations. Now a life coach, she believes her past experiences give her unique empathy and understanding for clients facing difficult situations.
Shadow Work and Addressing Root Causes
Sylvia employs "shadow work," delving beneath surface-level problems to uncover the underlying issues. For example, a client struggling with a boss might actually have low self-esteem or feelings of loneliness. This approach aims for efficient, fast-tracked solutions by addressing the root cause.
Life Coach vs. Friend: Objectivity and Honesty
Sylvia highlights the difference between speaking with a life coach and a friend. While friends offer sympathy and support, a life coach provides more honesty and objectivity, helping clients see their situations from a different perspective.
The Life Coaching Session
The author participates in a life coaching session with Sylvia, focusing on body image issues. The session proves emotionally intense, delving into past experiences of being body-shamed. This raises the question: how does life coaching differ from therapy?
Life Coaching vs. Therapy: Key Differences
Dr. Casey Lee, a psychologist and trained life coach, explains the distinctions. Life coaching is suitable when things are generally going well and someone wants to achieve more. Psychology addresses a broader range of issues, including mental health conditions.
When to Choose a Psychologist
Dr. Lee advises seeking a psychologist if moods significantly impair daily functioning, such as intense anger episodes, debilitating anxiety, or persistent sadness. Psychologists undergo rigorous training and supervised practice, unlike the less formalized training for life coaches.
Boundaries and Ethical Considerations
Life coaches should avoid delving into areas of clinical disorders like self-harm, OCD, depression, and anxiety. However, the unstructured nature of life coaching makes it difficult to control where a session goes.
Becoming a Life Coach: Certifications and Courses
Various courses offer life coaching certification, including those accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). However, not all courses are created equal.
A Questionable Online Course
The author enrolls in a free, six-hour online course. While it covers basic concepts, the content proves questionable, and it offers no recognized certification. The author finds the course rather basic and felt like even after that 6 hours, they might actually be able to go and Coach someone now.
The Importance of Certification
Emily, a professionally certified coach (PCC) with extensive training, emphasizes the importance of ICF certification. Certified coaches undergo rigorous training, adhere to a code of ethics, and are subject to investigation for ethical concerns.
Consumer Concerns and Potential Risks
Singapore's consumer watchdog has received complaints against life coaches and self-help programs. This raises concerns about the industry's potential for exploitation.
A Cautionary Tale: Harry's Experience
Harry, a Reddit user, lost a significant amount of money (50,000 - 60,000 SGD) on life coaching sessions in just four months. He felt pressured to enroll in increasingly expensive courses, and eventually exploited by being required to bring in new people and pay if he didn't meet his quota. He now believes the sessions were designed to manipulate vulnerable individuals.
Conclusion: A Personal Decision
The author, initially skeptical, concludes that they need to work on self love before deciding whether to get a life coach. This is because of what they know about the potential risks, and they should address their weaknesses before hiring someone for a quick fix. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to hire a life coach is personal, requiring careful consideration of individual needs, goals, and potential risks. It is also important to focus on working on self growth and self love first.