If you enjoy helping other people and are good at giving advice, certified life coaching may be a perfect fit. Certified life coaches work with people in times of crisis or change, coaching them to make decisions that will help them achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Because modern life is complex, an increasing number of people are turning to these professionals for help in managing their lives and building a more successful future.
Most life coaches have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or other related fields from an accredited university or college. This is not mandatory, however. A degree is not required by many employers although it makes it easier for trained life coaches to get a satisfying and high-paying career. However, all certified life coaches must undergo additional training in life coaching. This training can be found at a traditional university, an online college, or one-on-one from a professional life coach.
In addition, certified life coaches must have a certification from a national accreditation organization. Most people in North America get this certification from the International Coach Federation. Students complete training requirements that include academic work and supervised client contact, then take an exam. When they have passed this exam, they may work as a life coach.
There are three levels of life coach that the International Coach Federation certifies. An Associate Certified Coach has had 100 hours of working directly with clients and 60 hours of additional training. A Professional Certified Coach has had 750 hours of client contact and 130 hours of additional training. The highest level of certification, with 2500 hours of working with clients, 200 hours of additional training, and 10 hours of mentoring from another Master Certified Coach.
As with many careers, getting more training and more supervised time working with clients will prepare you better for working successfully in this field. More training and experience also leads to higher pay in most cases. Many successful life coaches begin with an Associate Certified Coach certification, working for a corporation or other company, and then gradually work up to becoming a Professional Certified Coach with their own busy practices. However, many certified life coaches never reach the level of a Master Certified Coach.
Most people begin their life coach training with good social skills and an understanding of human psychology. These are essential skills for the field! The training to become a certified life coach builds upon these innate skills. Students learn how to help clients to identify their dreams, identify their barriers, and move past these challenges. They become adept at helping people find creative solutions and working through their emotions. Students learn these skills through direct training and also through working with clients under supervision. They gradually are given less and less supervision, so that they are competent working independently with clients by the time they seek certification.
Certified life coaches work in a variety of jobs. An increasing number of corporations and agencies are hiring certified life coaches to work directly with employees to reduce work stress and help them to be more successful in their careers. Certified life coaches also work as academic counselors, health and wellness coaches, and other areas. There are retirement coaches, career coaches, and even family coaches. Some certified life coaches even work as a motivational speakeror author. Certified life coaches are qualified to work in a variety of coaching situations.
The career outlook for certified life coaching is very favorable. More and more Americans are turning to these professionals rather than therapists when they want to make positive changes quickly. Americans increasingly want to change their future rather than dwell on an unhappy past. Because certified life coaches can help people make a meaningful and long-lasting change, an increasing number of companies and individuals are seeking them. The need for certified life coaches is expected to continue rising in the future.
Certified life coaching requires a comparatively large amount of education and training, so pay is high as well. The median salary is $30,000-40,000 a year, although many life coaches work part time in their own practices. Corporate coaches, motivational speakers, and life coaches with busy private practices make $100,000 or more annually. The pay for life coaching varies widely, with more experienced and educated coaches making far more than novices.
In addition, certified life coaches have a variety of tangible and less tangible benefits. A corporate coach is flown to different areas of the country to coach employees at different locations. Motivational speakers also are paid for travel and may be able to sell books, CDs, and other products when they give talks. A certified life coach who works for themselves has the advantage of setting their own hours and being able to achieve better work-life balance. One thing that all certified life coaches have in common is that they spend their days inspiring clients to change their lives.
An addiction and rehabilitation counselor, sometimes referred to as a substance abuse counselor, is someone who works with people who suffer from alcoholism and drug addiction or other behavioral issues such as eating disorders. Many of the people who go into this line of work have dealt with an addiction of their own in the past or have family and/or friends who are affected by addiction. The education required to be successful as an addiction/rehabilitation counselor varies on the chosen career path, and there are many from which to choose.
You may opt to work in a private practice, in a rehabilitation center, or even for a local organization that provides crisis services. The life of an addiction/rehabilitation counselor can be stressful at times, but with the right education and the right career path choices, it can also be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding jobs out there. Obtaining the knowledge to help people change their lives for the better – and using that knowledge to help people from all walks of life overcome obstacles – can bring a level of satisfaction that other career choices cannot.
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