How to Choose a Life Coach: 7 Tips for Finding the Best Fit

Seeking out coaching support is a big and courageous step. The right life coach can help you move forward with clarity, alignment, and confidence in your choices. But with so many options out there—life coaches, business coaches, career coaches—how do you know what type of support you need and who to work with? This guide will help you reflect on your goals and navigate the search process with less stress.

Why a Life Coach?

When considering coaching, many people think about the specific outcomes they want—getting a promotion, starting a business, or improving relationships. While business or career coaches can be instrumental for strategy and implementation, life coaching offers something distinct. A life coach focuses on the bigger picture of who you are and how every aspect of your life intersects. They help you create alignment between your values, goals, and actions.

Your career and business are part of your life. While shifts may be needed in your work, there are often deeper layers to explore that extend beyond the workplace. A life coach helps you untangle the roots of challenges and identify what truly works for you. By addressing these core issues, you can create meaningful change that harmonizes all aspects of your life. Without this foundational work, you might find yourself repeating the same patterns—knowing what you “should” do but struggling to follow through or becoming more stressed trying to make it happen.

Some business and career coaches are also life coaches, offering a blend of personal and professional support. However, because coaching is an unregulated industry, it’s important to look beyond titles. A coach calling themselves a “life coach” might primarily focus on strategy and tactics, which is valuable but distinct from the holistic approach of true life coaching.

Business and career coaches who excel as strategists are wonderful resources when you already have clarity about what’s aligned for you and need guidance on how to implement specific strategies. On the other hand, if you’re feeling stuck, unsure, or misaligned, starting with a life coach can help you uncover your deeper needs and values. Additionally, many life coaches have networks of specialized coaches they can refer you to when the time is right for strategy-focused support.

7 Tips to Find the Right Life Coach

1. Assess Personality Fit and Coaching Style
   The coaching relationship is deeply personal, so it’s essential to find someone whose communication style and personality align with yours. An aligned coach will create a comfortable, trusting environment that encourages you to open up while gently challenging you to grow. Look for someone who helps you identify solutions that fit you rather than merely offering advice.
2. Evaluate Process and Methodology
   It’s important to understand the coach’s approach and ensure it matches your goals and values. An experienced coach will have a clear, flexible methodology tailored to your unique needs, helping you develop self-trust and make decisions that work best for you. Their process should not feel rigid or one-size-fits-all.
3. Look for Credentials and Experience
   Since coaching isn’t a regulated industry, there isn’t a single credential or experience standard to determine the quality of a coach’s work. However, it’s still valuable to consider their relevant training, certifications, and experience in relation to the support you’re seeking. Feel free to ask about their background to ensure they have the knowledge and skills necessary to guide you effectively.
4. Ensure They Respect Your Decision-Making Process
   A client-centered coach recognizes you as the authority on your own life and values your unique perspective. They give you the space and time to make decisions at your own pace, without rushing or pressuring you. Accountability isn’t about imposing urgency; it’s about supporting you in identifying your own goals and holding space for your progress. A coach checks in on what you’ve said you want, uplifts your commitments, and helps you decide what steps to take next, always respecting your autonomy.
5. Beware of Pressuring and One-Size-Fits-All Strategies
   Be cautious of coaches who push quick fixes or use pressure tactics to rush your decisions. A life coach who respects your decision-making process will avoid these approaches. Look out for those who claim to have all the answers or promote rigid programs that don’t consider your unique circumstances. A skilled coach will tailor their approach to align with your personal goals, context, and pace, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution.
6. Consider Their Understanding of Social Contexts
   Choose a coach who recognizes and honors your lived experiences, understanding how societal norms and structures influence your challenges. Ignoring these broader contexts can lead to strategies that aren’t sustainable and may perpetuate harm. A coach who takes these factors into account will help you navigate personal growth in a way that’s aligned with your reality, ensuring long-term success and well-being for you and those around you.
7. Trust Your Intuition
   Above all, trust your gut when selecting a coach. Pay attention to how you feel during your interactions. An aligned coach will create a space where you feel seen, heard, and respected. Speaking with them will evoke excitement for what’s possible—though that may also come with some nervousness because change can feel scary. They’ll inspire courage knowing you’ll have a partner walking with you on the journey.

Questions to Ask a Potential Coach
Many coaches offer a free initial consultation. This is your opportunity to get a sense of their personality, style, and approach, as well as to ask about their methodology, experience, and coaching packages. They may ask you questions like: What are you hoping to achieve from coaching? Why now? What have you already tried, and what has been helpful?

Here are some questions you might consider asking a potential coach:

• What is your coaching philosophy and process?
• How do you measure success in our work together?
• How do you tailor your methods to suit individual clients?
• Can you share examples of working with clients who had similar goals or challenges?

You can also learn a lot just by engaging in the conversation itself. Many coaches treat initial calls similarly to coaching sessions, especially for potential clients who are unsure about what they’re seeking but know they want some sort of support. This can be a great chance to get a sense of their coaching style and whether it resonates with you. So, don’t hesitate to reach out, even if you’re still figuring out exactly what you need.

Learn More

If you’d like to dive deeper into the world of coaching, check out my podcast episodes: “What is Life Coaching” and “Red Flags in Online Coaching.” These episodes provide insights into what life coaching is (and isn’t) and help you spot potential pitfalls when searching for the right coach.

Coaching is a powerful tool for transformation when you find the right fit. Take your time, ask questions, and trust your instincts. The right coach will meet you where you are, supporting you in discovering or reclaiming your ability to make choices and find solutions every step of the way.

Written by Valerie Friedlander, PCC, ELI-MP

Valerie Friedlander is a Life/Business Alignment coach for women leaders who feel pulled between work and family. She is an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach and Energy Leadership Master Practitioner with 10 years in corporate management, mediation training, and over 20 years supporting people in science and spiritually based personal development. Her philosophy is rooted in individual empowerment with social system awareness. She is also the host of the Unlimited podcast, a wife, mom of two, sci-fi/fantasy nerd, and creative spirit.

Find her at https://valeriefriedlander.com and on all social channels @unlimitedcoachval

Content provided by Women Belong member  Valerie Friedlander