Life coaching

[angeldraws]

Hi - i like to empower others and i would like to train as a life coach or something in this area. I cannot afford a full time course tho' and don't know where to begin.

Any one have any suggestions please.....?

[Dollie]

Often life coaches are qualified counsellors who have done addtional training in life coaching skills. To become a counsellor you would need the minimum of a diploma which would take you around three years part-time. Also, a qualification in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) would not go amiss as this is one of the best therapies for brining about 'change' in a person. However, at the moment in Britain, you don't have to be qualified in anything to set yourself up as a counsellor or life-coach in private practice - but they do say that government regulation is coming in 2007-2008 so you really would need to have some kind of qualification by then, as its unlikely you'll get much business otherwise, as the public will be advised to check up on an official register to see if their therapist is qualified or not. Good luck Angeldraws. Post again if I can be of any help in the future - I'm a psychotherapist / counsellor and hypnotherapist and work both in private practice and for the NHS. Doll xx

[Dollie]

Just a thought angeldraws - check up with your local college - see if they have any 'starter' courses in counselling - just to see if you like the kind of work and what it entails before you sign up to anything longer. Most colleges run an introductory course which lasts about 12 weeks. Doll xx

[Gef]

"empower others" - what a laugh. Dos we not spek english nymoe?

[angeldraws]

@ dollie - thanks - i have thought of counselling and have done a basic counselling course so will look into furthering my quals...

@ Gef - derrr, your ignorance stands out, like the proverbial sore thumb....

[Gef]

Life coaches - what a load of crap. Anyway, I'm off to New Zealand for five weeks and I didn't need anyone to tell me to go there.

Enjoy the summer angeldraws and find a sense of humour.

[applebee]

I agree a lot with dollie, perhapts a couseling degree, or a psychology degree would definately be helpful. I know that there is a lot of different directions you could go with that career choice.

I would go with getting a degree though...That way you can connect up with a hospital or better yet a psychology clinic, and get referrals, that way you would be confident that you would be getting paid through peoples insurance etc. , thats a lot more dependable then if they were paying you out of their own pocket! :)