How to Choose a Reputable Professional Coach

Reasons to Work with a Coach:

  • Optimize work performance

  • Improve communication or other skills

  • Increase productivity

  • Expand career opportunities

  • Boost self-confidence

  • Improve work/life balance

  • Strengthen business leadership

  • Problem solve /strategize

What Coaching Is (and Isn’t):

Coaching is not therapy, mentorship, or consulting. It’s a forward-focused, goal-driven partnership that fosters self-discovery and client-generated solutions.

The coach provides structure, support, and accountability—but the real work happens within the client. Transformation comes through the client’s own awareness, choices, and actions—both in and between sessions.

How Do I Find a Professional Coach?

What Does ‘ICF Credentialed’ Mean?

An ICF credential signifies that a coach has met high standards for training, experience, and ethical practice.

To be an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) one must complete at least 75 hours of training, 100+ hours of coaching, mentor coaching, and pass a rigorous exam. Credentialed coaches also commit to ongoing education and uphold the ICF Code of Ethics.

What to Expect After You Hire:

  • Clear partnership, not sales pressure

  • Written agreements

  • Defined session cadence and fees

  • You are invited to set goals and bring topics

  • Accountability and feedback

What is the Coaching Investment?

Coaching is a meaningful investment in your clarity, leadership, and long-term growth. It requires not just money, but also time, energy, and commitment—so it’s wise to consider both your budget and your bandwidth. Coaching fees vary widely.

According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF):
- Executive coaching avg ~ $340/hour
- Life coaching avg ~ $120/hour

Interview Questions to Ask a Coach:

  • What is your coaching experience?

  • What’s your training background?

  • What types of clients do you usually work with?

  • What is your coaching philosophy?

  • Do you use assessments?

Tips for Choosing the Right Coach:

  • Before you sign on, pay, or do any type of coaching, interview at least three coaches.

  • Prepare thoughtful questions, and be prepared to speak about your goals.

  • Ask about the financial and time commitments that are required /expected by the coach.

  • Trust your gut— fit and connection matters more than subject expertise.

  • Ask for references.

Sample Coaching Engagement

  1. Intro Call – Meet to assess fit, goals, costs and process.

  2. Agreement – A contract defines goals, format, costs, and other commitments.

  3. Onboarding - 90 minutes to co-create the engagement and establish goals.

  4. Coaching Sessions — A series of structured coaching conversations will take place over the engagement term (typically about 50 minutes, every 7-14 days).

  5. FieldWork - May be provided to help clients grow insight between sessions.

  6. Surveys - Formal and informal progress check-in’s to adapt and re-focus.

  7. Review – Summarization of insights, evaluation of outcomes, action planning.