Life coaching

Life coaching is a practice aimed at helping clients determine and achieve personal goals, and re-create their life according to their vision or passion. It centres on breaking down the barriers that prevent change from happening to create the ideal environment for this change to take place.

Although life coaches and career counsellors both aim to help people become happy and fulfilled, there are distinct differences in their roles. Life coaches are not therapists and do not work with mental illness or dysfunction.

Coaches support clients to find answers and options that may be hidden within themselves, but do not give advice. The role of a life coach has been described as a “sounding board” or “motivator”. Clients look for a coach to listen and give honest feedback, particularly in the areas of time management, business and careers.

Life coaching and career consulting are complementary, as they both focus on helping the client to make change and plan a positive way forward.

Source: Life Coach Associates, December 2008, (www.lifecoachassociates.co.nz)