Everyone is looking for a life coach. Well, nearly everyone.

“How to find a life coach easily” is something I get asked often, and this is not surprising. Not only because life coaches are in high demand (there are many benefits to hiring a life coach, after all) but also because people don’t know where to look for them. (Some people don’t even know what a life coach is, but I’ll cover that in another article.)

So what is the process?

Well, there are a few ways to find a life coach, but in this post I’ll focus on three: through coaching directories, through word-of-mouth recommendations, and through search engines.

Life coach directories

If you’re wondering how to find a life coach easily, then perhaps using an online directory is one of the fastest and easiest ways.. Several platforms allow you to search for coaches who specialise in the issue you’re having or find coaches nearby (if you’re not interested in virtual coaching, that is).

In addition, some of these platforms (but certainly not all) require coaches to submit credentials before they can be listed. Not to mention that it is common practice for their listings to include a brief description of each coach. Plus, I know of at least one such service that allows you to have a free session before you decide to hire a coach (however, this isn’t such a huge advantage since most coaches offer a free consultation anyway).

On the negative side, some coaches who might be a good match for you or specialise in what you need might not be listed on any of the coaching directories. For some people, this is a small price to pay; for others, variety is of paramount importance.

But generally speaking, it is hard to doubt the convenience of life coaching directories.

Word-of mouth recommendations

Word of mouth is the most reliable way for most people to find a coach. After all, it makes sense to trust a friend who recommends a coach, right? You might say yes, but keep in mind that not every client gets the same benefit from the same coach.

For example, suppose the person who recommended the coach likes their coach to be low-profile and slow, and you are a hyperactive person who wants things to move quickly in your life. In that case, you may be disappointed by their recommendation.

In any case, two things are in your favour, no matter which approach you choose: first, a good coach will adapt their coaching style to fit the client’s needs. This is known as mirroring. Secondly, as I said before, most coaches offer free sessions so that you can try them out and see if they’re right for you.

So finding a coach based on your friends’ recommendations might be a good idea, especially if you don’t know your way around technology or want to avoid looking for one yourself. The downside here is that you don’t allow yourself the freedom to choose your own coach.

Search engines

Finally, there is the good old way of finding a coach online just by using a search engine. Here, the options are endless. While perhaps, “How to find a life coach easily” might not yield the desired results, you can search for something more practical like “life coaches near me” on Google and get Google’s location suggestions. Or search for “online life coach for people over 40”.

You can even search by a specific niche, such as a mindset coach, ADHD coach, relationship coach, book writing coach or midlife coach.

The only caveat is that you’ll need to do your own research: visit the coach’s website, check out their qualifications, etc. But, this method has some advantages: you can find any niche or coach you want, near you, online, or overseas.

On the downside, you don’t have a friend’s reference or a quality check from a directory. This is why it might be good to have a free consultation with the coach to make sure you feel comfortable with their coaching style and approach.

Overall, this method may be best for people who want complete freedom of choice and are willing to research various options beforehand.

The bottom line

In the end, all three methods have their pros and cons, and you have to decide what is most important to you when looking for a coach: convenience and speed, a listing with approved specialists, a referral from someone you trust, or complete freedom to make your own choice.

Regardless of the method you choose, the good news is that virtually all coaches now offer a free session so you can see if they are a good fit for you. Last but not least, remember that feeling safe and comfortable is very important, and for this reason, the chance to try out your prospective coach is a huge benefit.

Featured image by Jenny Ueberberg on Unsplash