A life coach is a wellness professional who supports clients as they work toward their goals. Together, the coach and client may focus on improving areas such as career, self-care, relationships, or anything else impacting the client’s daily well-being.

Life coaches help individuals clarify their goals, identify obstacles, and create strategies for overcoming challenges. By leveraging clients’ unique skills and gifts, life coaches provide the support needed to achieve impactful change. People often seek life coaches during significant life changes or simply to build a happier, more meaningful life. There are various types of life coaches, including those specializing in areas like addiction, business, dating, health, and more. Unlike therapists, life coaches do not treat mental health conditions but focus on personal growth and empowerment.

The field of life coaching is growing quickly. However, it is not currently regulated by provincial, territorial, or federal authorities, meaning there are no formal licensing requirements to enter the profession. Anyone can become a life coach, but completing life coach training demonstrates to others that you have received specific professional training and are serious about your career and coaching abilities.

Life coaches specialize in helping you identify specific actions you need to take to improve your personal or professional life and then help you mobilize to achieve your goals. They will hold you accountable and keep you motivated as you strive to change for the better. Life coaches are not professionals qualified to provide mental health care like therapists. Therapists are professionals who help those with mental health care needs, such as healing from emotional pain, feelings of being overwhelmed in life, seeking peace and clarity, and creating a safe space to figure things out.