How Long Does it Take to Become a Life Coach?
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How Long Does it Take to Become a Life Coach?
Becoming a life coach means connecting with a fulfilling occupation that allows you to help others. Perhaps you're already a "magnet" for people who are trying to improve themselves and achieve goals? Specialties in life coaching can range from the career and business-related to more personal matters like relationships, parenting, fitness and spirituality. The pay is quite good, with an overall average of about $200 per hour in North America in 2012. The majority of coaching relationships last about four to six months according to the International Coach Federation, the industry’s main credentialing body.
Becoming a Life Coach
At this time, life coaching is largely a self-regulated industry. While the leading industry organizations (such as the International Coach Federation) have been striving to hold coaches to ever-higher standards, at this time you can work as a life coach just by deciding to be one. However, there are programs available to assist you in becoming certified as a professional should you decide that's the best path for you.
A Sound Investment
The International Coach Federation's basic training program requires 60 hours of coach training and 10 hours of training with a mentor. You'll also need 100 hours of coaching experience with actual clients to complete your certification. Advanced ICF certifications require 200 or more hours of coach-specific instruction. A number of other training programs require a longer time commitment; for example, the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching requires over 320 hours of training.
Becoming a life coach requires only that you decide to be one; however, those who don't seek professional training are usually already established experts in their field. While not required, there are distinct benefits to coaching certification. The International Coach Federation reports that the majority of life coaching clients (84% in 2010) prefer that their coaches have certification of some kind.
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