Life coaches support and encourage people to fulfil their potential and make the most of their lives. Their main aim is to empower their clients to take control of their situation, in areas such as relationships, careers, fitness, work-life balance and self-confidence.
Life coaches work with clients to:
• explore their situation
• discuss their values, attitudes and beliefs
• find ways in which they might achieve their aims
• help them to set appropriate goals
• encourage them to stay motivated and committed
• explore ways of overcoming barriers and setbacks.
They work with a range of clients, from individuals to an entire business or company, offering either a general service, or specialising in a particular area such as executive and business coaching, life changes or spiritual coaching.
Life coaches may sometimes refer clients to an appropriate therapist if they are of the opinion that this would be beneficial.
They usually work to a schedule of sessions lasting between thirty minutes and one hour, as agreed with the client. They are normally office-based, conducting sessions face-to-face, over the phone or online. Some of their time would be spent preparing and reviewing sessions.
Satisfying Aspects
- setting your own working hours
- meetiing people from all walks of life
- rehabilitating people
- opportunity to be self-employed
Demanding aspects
- dealing with impatient or unwilling clients
- physically and emotionally draining
- need to become well-known before being able to establish one’s own business
Requirements
- excellent listening, questioning and people skills
- the ability to inspire confidence
- an objective and non-judgemental approach
- respect for confidentiality
- the ability to motivate clients and encourage them to achieve their goals
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Life Sciences, Economics
Training
After qualifying for a degree, a postgraduate degree in coaching can be followed at certain universities. These courses contain life coaching modules which are generally business-orientated. There are also numerous short courses that can be followed in the field of life coaching.
It is important that as much information as possible is first obtained before choosing a course. The institution offering the programme should offer some of the following benefits:
• contacts with other coaching and mentoring bodies, or universities
• testimonials from coaches that have attended the course
• good resources for developing skills
• practical training, such as workshops and seminars
• some supervised work with a practicing life coach
• advice on setting up a business
• opportunities for continuing professional development.
Most universities offer courses in Psychology and Social Work and related programmes. There are however other programmes also on offer such as :
The Strong Foundation
5 New Cross Road,
Sonstraal,
Western Cape
Tel: (021) 975-1794
Email: mariaan@strongfoundation.co.za
Web: http://www.strongfoundation.co.za/
The Instititute for Life Coach Training
CAB Conference Centre
Cnr. Jeanette & Lee Streets
Brackenfell
Cape Town, 7560
Tel: (021) 981-9850
Fax: 086 609-8062
Cell: 082 558-6014
Email: registrar@lifecoachtraining.co.za
CCI Coaching Academy
69 Belmont Ave
Oranjezicht, 8001
L-Box 60547
High Cape, 8001
Tel: 0861-COACHU (0861-262248), (021) 461-0662
Fax: 086 6174 639, (021) 461-0795
Employer
You would usually be self-employed, and would need to develop your business through networking, marketing and reputation.
Contact
Visit the Coaching and Mentoring Network website for articles, case studies and other useful resources.
www.lifecoachtraining.co.za