Life coaches, what’s up with that?

Question

So I’ve been seeing a ton of people talking about the TERRIBLE advice given to them by life coaches. I’ve supported SA/DV survivors who got absolutely horrific advice from life coaches who told them the just needed to be dominated by a strong man in bed to get over their fear of intimacy, regardless of their sexuality.
How do you feel about life coaches? Is it a valid career?
Personally I view it like Instagram influencers who talk out of their ass and have no qualifications to be giving people advice and taking their money. Their advice is like the skinny tea people promote: won’t change your situation but will guarantee you shit your brains out 
How do you feel about them?

Answer

To the best of my knowledge & through my experience, life coaches, counsellors, therapists, are not supposed to and don’t really give advice.  Explore ideas, possibilities, framing new ways of thinking, expose to different tools, etc. is more along the lines of methods used.
Sometimes clients put words in therapists mouths, which can be helpful for the client if they feel like it gives them permission to do something they want to explore.  Sometimes this can also happen if they have displaced anger.  Not saying this is the case here, just something that could happen.
Anyway, I think it’s important to look into the type of training, experience & methodology a counsellor uses.  There are so many and I don’t think society is properly informed on them.  It’s also important to give feedback if they say something you don’t like, but the counsellor should facilitate this feedback in a manner that allows the client to feel safe.  And if a line is crossed, it’s definitely best to  end the relationship.

Answer

Coaches: someone who is trying to work in a field they've never been educated or trained in, and/or someone who's trying to teach people how to do something they failed themselves. 
In my country there has been so much coaches lately, to the point there was a documentary broadcasted about it since so many people were falling for it. They've been caught up in their lies over and over. Like a relationship coach whose mistress and wife fought in the middle of the street, the financial coach that was later found to be broke, the coach who cures every single physical and mental illness with nothing but her high school degree and her ability to "talk to higher beings and being told every single knowledge of the world". 
If someone wants to help people through therapy, they go get a psychology degree. If they want to help people with their nutrition, they become a dietitian. If they want to treat and diagnose people, they become a doctor.
If they purely want money, they become a coach.

Answer

I feel like some life coaches, with proper education and experience, can be super beneficial. I also think life coaches shouldn’t be giving actually direction but rather leading you to find the answers on your own. Rather than “you just need” it should be “and how do you think we can work to over come this”. It can totally be like an instagram influencer because some people are desperate for answers and there are those who are so money hungry and take advantage.

Answer

If you go to someone with no licensure and pay for services that’s what can happen. Many licensed therapists offer life coaching. We have to advertise it this way because the services are not medically necessary and not covered by insurance. If you want life coaching seek a licensed therapist who is still under the rules of their bird despite offering services not covered by the board.

Answer

Life coaches go through their own schooling and certification program, but they're not accredited to assist people with mental health and sadly, I've met many with those issues who use life coaches versus prescribed medical professionals. 
Most of them wonder why all the self-help and shadow work they do isn't fixing everything. It might improve bits of your life but it doesn't cure other parts. I'm not supportive of life coaches for crisis work, actual life help revolving behavioural/mental health, but they're good for motivation and redirection in a light manner.

Answer

My best friend is a Life Coach. As much as I love her, I don't think she is qualified. She charges a good penny for stuff I can just read in a self help book. Lot's of things like journaling everyday in a gratitude journal, doing something everyday that you don't want to do, and waiting for the end of the day to do the things you want to do as a reward. Of course I never told her this, but in my heart I feel that maybe someone needs more help than a journal and personal opinions on what is self love.

Answer

I'm with you on this.

Answer

You mean like NXIVM? Or however it’s spelled. It’s cult life coaching. 
I am split. A friend of mine is a life coach, and she doesn’t post her methods or anything, so I don’t know if she does weird stuff. As far as I can tell, she’s more of a motivational interviewer and pretty selective of who she sees. 
Largely speaking, it’s generally helpful for people who need a boost and an advocate in their corner, NOT to fix mental health or systemic issues. 
Would I ever pay for one? No. 
I’m pretty disheartened with licensed providers, too, though. So, I get why life coaches are appealing.

Answer

I'm not a fan of the whole life coach phenomenon. What are the qualifications? Is there any training required? Certification, licensing, practicum, internship, anything? It seems like a completely made up job to me. I've heard people say they're going to be a life coach because they're great listeners and, "everyone says I give really good advice!" And then I wonder why everybody thinks they need a life coach all of a sudden, as if the average person can't manage life without a "coach" to advise them in absolutely everything and nothing at the same time. I would rather a person see a licensed professional if they are struggling than trust themselves to someone whose friends say "gives good advice."

Answer

How can someone who is going through life coach me on my life? I think it’s a waste of money. I’d never pay for one, but more power to those who want to!

Life coaches, what’s up with that?

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