How do you hire a life coach? Get clear on what you want help with, shortlist a few coaches who specialize in it, and check their training and client results. Then book free discovery calls with two or three of them and hire the one you trust most.
That’s the short version. But if you’ve never hired a coach before, each step comes with questions. Where do you even look? What should you ask? And how do you spot a coach who’s all hype?
Keep reading to discover:
- Why people hire life coaches (and who uses them)
- Signs you might need a life coach right now
- Where to find a life coach, online or near you
- How to choose the right one, step by step
- Questions to ask before you hire a life coach
- Red flags to watch for
Why do people hire a life coach?
A life coach helps you figure out what you want and then go after it. They ask good questions, help you see your situation more clearly, and keep you accountable while you make changes. They don’t diagnose, treat or tell you how to live.
So why hire one? The best-known data comes from the ICF Global Coaching Client Study, a survey of 2,165 coaching clients in 64 countries published by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) in 2009. When clients picked their top three reasons for seeking a coach, the most common were:
- Self-esteem and self-confidence (41%)
- Work/life balance (36%)
- Career opportunities (28%)
- Business management (25%)
- Relationships (25%)
That study covered all kinds of coaching, not just life coaching. But the themes will sound familiar to anyone who’s ever felt stuck.
Who uses life coaches?
Here’s the thing. There’s no “typical” life coaching client. People hire life coaches at all ages and stages, like:
- Mid-career professionals who want to change careers
- Young adults figuring out what to do after school
- Newly divorced parents rebuilding their lives
- New business owners who want to get more done without burning out
- People who want to improve their health habits
- Retirees working out what comes next
- Anyone who feels like life has gone a little “meh”
In short, life coaching isn’t just for executives or celebrities. It’s for anyone who wants to make a change and could use some support doing it.
Signs you might need a life coach
Not everybody needs a life coach. But if a few of these sound familiar, it might be the right time to look for one.
1. You feel stuck
You’ve tried to change things, but nothing seems to work. Often that’s because you’re too close to the problem to see it clearly. A coach gives you an outside view and helps you sort out your priorities.
2. You’re facing a big change
A new career, a move to another country, a divorce, retirement, or even a promotion can leave you feeling unsure where to start. A coach helps you get clear on what you want from the change and plan your next steps, so you’re not making random decisions.
3. You know what to do, but you don’t do it
You’ve read the self-help books. You’ve made the plans. And you keep slipping back into old habits. That’s where accountability helps. A coach checks in, asks what got in the way, and helps you adjust.
4. Fear keeps holding you back
“What if I fail?” “I’m not ready yet.” Sound familiar? A coach won’t make the fear disappear. But they can help you spot the mindset patterns behind it and take action anyway.
5. You feel unfulfilled
Maybe your life looks fine on paper, but something feels off. A good coach knows which questions to ask to help you figure out what you value and what you really want next.
6. You get in your own way
Procrastinating on the important stuff. Saying yes to everything. Starting projects and never finishing them. Old patterns are hard to spot on your own, and even harder to break. A coach acts as a second pair of eyes.
When you need a therapist instead
Life coaches aren’t therapists. They can’t diagnose or treat depression, anxiety, trauma or other mental health conditions.
Here’s an easy way to put it:
If you want to feel better, see a therapist.
If you want to do better, hire a life coach.
Plenty of people work with both. But if you’re struggling to get through daily life, start with a licensed mental health professional. If you’re in crisis in the US, call or text 988 anytime.
Is hiring a life coach worth it?
It can be, as long as you have a goal, you’re ready to do the work between sessions, and you pick a coach who fits you. Hiring a coach won’t magically fix things on its own. We cover this in detail in our guide to whether a life coach is worth it.
Budget matters, too. Most US life coaches charge somewhere between $75 and $300 per session, and many sell monthly plans or packages. See our guide to how much a life coach costs for a full breakdown. And since health insurance almost never covers life coaching, plan on paying out of pocket.
How to hire a life coach in 6 steps
Ready to start looking? Here’s how to find a life coach who’s a good fit.
1. Get clear on what you want help with
Before you talk to anyone, write down what you’d like to change. “I want to leave my job and start a business within a year” gives you and a coach something to work toward.
Not sure what you want? That’s okay! Clarity can be your goal. Just say so upfront.
The clearer you are, the faster you can rule out coaches who focus on something you don’t need.
2. Choose the type of life coach you need
Life coaches aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some are generalists who help with your whole life. Others specialize, like:
- Career coaches
- Relationship and dating coaches
- Health and wellness coaches
- Mindset coaches
- Holistic life coaches, who look at your health, relationships, work and spirituality together
- Divorce, retirement and grief coaches
- Business and productivity coaches
For example, if your goal is a career change, a coach who has helped lots of people switch careers is a better bet than a generalist. If your goals touch several parts of your life, a generalist or holistic coach may suit you better.
3. Know where to find a life coach
There are a few good places to look.
Coach directories. A directory lets you compare lots of coaches side by side. On CoachCompare, you can browse life coaches by specialty, read their profiles, and message the ones you like for free.
Referrals. Ask friends, family or coworkers who’ve worked with a coach. In the ICF client study, personal referrals were the source clients used most when choosing a coach (46%). Just remember that the coach who helped your friend may not be right for you.
Social media and podcasts. Many coaches share free content on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and podcasts. It’s a great way to get a feel for someone’s personality and approach before you reach out.
Your employer. Some employers offer coaching through a wellness program or Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Check your benefits portal or ask HR.
Online or near you? Most life coaches work over video calls, which means you can hire a life coach online from almost anywhere. If you’d rather meet in person, look for coaches in your area and ask whether they offer in-person sessions.
4. Check their training, experience and results
This step matters more than most people realize. In the US, you don’t need a license to be a life coach, so anyone can use the title. That doesn’t make every new coach a bad pick. It just means you need to check for yourself.
Look for:
- Coach-specific training. Ask where they trained and for how long.
- Credentials. They’re voluntary, but they show a coach has invested in their skills. ICF credentials are some of the best known. An ACC requires at least 60 hours of training and 100 hours of coaching experience, a PCC at least 125 hours of training and 500 hours of experience, and an MCC at least 200 hours of training and 2,500 hours of experience. You can confirm an ICF credential with the ICF’s Verify a Coach tool.
- Results with people like you. Testimonials, reviews and case studies from clients in a similar situation are a great sign.
If a coach is brand new, they should say so. That’s fine, as long as they’re honest about it and their price reflects it.
5. Book discovery calls with two or three coaches
Most coaches offer a free discovery call (sometimes called a consultation). Use it!
Many coaches let you book it straight from their website, often through a platform like Paperbell that also handles payments and the coaching agreement once you hire them.
Here’s the truth: most people don’t shop around. In the ICF client study, 58% of clients hired the very first coach they contacted. Talking to two or three coaches makes it much easier to see who really gets you.
Fit matters a lot. In the same study, 83% of clients said personal rapport was very important when choosing a coach.
After each call, ask yourself:
- Did I feel comfortable talking about my goals?
- Did they understand my situation?
- Did they ask me questions, or mostly talk about themselves?
- Do I trust them?
- What does my gut say?
A coach who barely asks about you on the first call probably won’t ask much later, either.
6. Agree on the details in writing
Once you’ve picked a coach, get the basics in writing before you pay. That includes:
- What’s included (number of sessions, length, support between calls)
- The total price and payment schedule
- How rescheduling, cancellations and refunds work
- How they keep what you share confidential
- What you’re working toward, and when you’ll check progress
Starting with a short package, like three months, is a lot easier to commit to than an open-ended plan.
Questions to ask a life coach before you hire them
Bring a few of these to your discovery calls:
- What kind of clients do you usually work with?
- Have you helped people with goals like mine? What happened?
- What training or credentials do you have?
- What does a typical session look like?
- How do you keep clients accountable between sessions?
- How often will we meet, and for how long?
- How much do you charge, and what’s included?
- What’s your cancellation and refund policy?
- How will we know if coaching is working?
- What would you do if you thought I needed a therapist instead?
There are no perfect answers. You’re listening for someone who’s clear, honest and focused on you.
Red flags when hiring a life coach
Be careful if a coach:
- Guarantees results. No honest coach can promise you’ll get the job, the partner or the income.
- Pressures you to sign up on the spot. “This price is only good today” is a sales tactic, not coaching.
- Pushes a pricey long-term package before you’ve worked together at all.
- Can’t explain how they work or what training they have.
- Has no reviews or testimonials but makes big claims.
- Offers to treat anxiety, depression or trauma. That’s a therapist’s job, and a good coach will tell you so.
- Talks more than they listen. Good coaching keeps the focus on you.
Not ready to hire a life coach one-on-one?
That’s totally fine. You can dip your toes in first.
Many coaches run group coaching programs, which usually cost less per person. You’ll also get a built-in community of people working on similar goals. Free workshops, podcasts and books from coaches you like are another low-risk way to see if their style clicks with you.
FAQs about hiring a life coach
How do I find a good life coach?
Start by deciding what you want help with. Then shortlist coaches who specialize in it, check their training and client reviews, and book discovery calls with two or three. Hire the one you feel most comfortable with and trust.
Why would someone hire a life coach?
People hire life coaches to build confidence, find better work/life balance, change careers, improve relationships, or get through a big life change. Most want an outside view, a clear plan and someone to keep them accountable.
Who needs a life coach?
No one strictly needs a life coach. But a coach can help if you feel stuck, keep putting off a goal, or face a big decision. If you’re dealing with a mental health condition, a therapist is the better first step.
When should you seek a life coach?
Good times to look for a coach are when you’re facing a big change, you keep falling back into old habits, or you feel unfulfilled and don’t know why. It also helps to have the time and budget to commit for a few months.
Can I hire a life coach online?
Yes! Most life coaches work over video calls, so you can work with a coach anywhere in the world. Just check that their schedule and time zone work with yours.
How much does it cost to hire a life coach?
Most US life coaches charge between $75 and $300 per session, and many offer monthly packages. Group coaching usually costs less. See our life coach pricing guide for details.
Do I need to hire a certified life coach?
Not necessarily. Certification isn’t required to be a life coach, and some great coaches have lots of experience but no credential. Still, training and credentials like the ICF’s ACC, PCC and MCC show a coach has invested in their skills, so they’re worth asking about.
Find and hire a life coach on CoachCompare
Hiring a life coach doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Get clear on your goal, check a few coaches carefully, and trust your gut on the discovery calls.
On CoachCompare, you can browse life coaches, read their profiles, and message the ones you like before you commit. It’s free to compare profiles and message coaches! You can also explore holistic life coaches and mindset coaches.
Are you a life coach? Paperbell gives you a simple coaching website plus scheduling, payments and contracts in one place, and you can start with a free account. You can also list your coaching on CoachCompare to reach new clients.
This post was originally published on September 8, 2022 and has been updated with new information for accuracy and comprehensiveness.