mannequin,Good Morning. I want to let you know that tortoise11 Has not posted on the forum since 2012 as well as she resigned her position as Moderator for the forum.
There are actually training programs for learning to be a life coach. Life coaches provide the incentive and direction their clients need to improve their careers, relationships, and lives. They help clients to:
- Hone in on their skills and ambitions.
- Refocus their life's goals.
- Overcome obstacles that stand in the way of achieving goals.
Wellness coaches give their clients the motivation and tools they need to achieve their physical and emotional health goals.
Wellness coaches can show you steps to take and give you encouragement to reach goals such as:
- Lose a few pounds
- Eat better
- Quit smoking
- Reduce stress
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First, you'll sit down with your life coach or wellness coach over the phone or in person. The sessions will range from 15 minutes to an hour. During that time you'll talk about what you want to accomplish.
Through the questions your coach asks, together you'll define your goals and the challenges that could stand in your way. Then you'll outline the steps you'll need to take to achieve those goals.
You'll have homework assignments -- things to think about or do between coaching sessions to work toward your goals. You might need to write in a journal or create "action plans" of things you want to accomplish.
Your life coach or wellness coach will offer support and guidance along the way. And your coach will hold you accountable for achieving your goals.
You'll work with your coach for a period of a few months or longer. The time frame depends on how often you meet and what you're hoping to accomplish.
The cost of coaching can vary. According to company web sites, a coaching session can cost from about $100 to $300 an hour or $300 to $1,000 a month. I do not believe any insurance company would pay for a life coach but I may be wrong.
Like many industries, coaching has a certification process. The International Coach Federation (ICF) is an organization that sets and monitors standards for professional coaches.
Schools that are accredited by the ICF provide coaches training and mentoring. But the industry is still not standardized, so not all coaches are required to be certified. That means just about anyone can call himself or herself a life or wellness coach, without any real training to back up the claim.
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Life coaching is not therapy, mentoring, consulting or counseling. It doesn't review and focus on past events. Nor does it deal with mental illness, psychiatric problems, abuse or addictions. It is primarily a pragmatic approach to realizing a person's potential in pursuing a particular goal. At the same time ensuring that the rest of that person's life is well balanced to deal with the constant challenges of living.
IMHO I believe members with a dx mental health disorder needs to see a professional therapist that has a degree in mental health as well as medicine.
I would not recommend a life coach for a person with Bipolar looking for help for their disorder.
We are not medical professionals here in the forum but peers who are willing to support and share with one another.
Good Luck with your project,
Kitt