Some people have the idea that life coaches are a scam. They think of it as just one more way to make money. Others believe that they're not qualified enough or too expensive for what you get. Whatever the reason, there are some people out there who dislike life coaches. We will go over some reasons why people might not like life coaches.

What is a life coach?

A life coach is someone who helps you reach your goals, overcome any obstacles in your way, and achieve things that are important to you. They often do this through personal coaching sessions or online, using other techniques like life-coaching programs or workshops. Life coaches specialize in many different areas like career, dating and relationships, diet and fitness, finance, health and wellness, life skills, etc.

How can one become a life coach?

Becoming a life coach is a business decision. One will probably think that they want to become one to provide services to other people for a specific price tag. A life coach can become one without a degree or certification or undergo training from professional coaching organizations. A budding life coach can specialize in a particular life area, or it can be possible to specialize in multiple places. Training can cost thousands of dollars, but if a life coach wants to put more credibility in their name, then this is something that they will want to do. Keep in mind that a life coach can have these certifications that are not the same level as therapists' certifications.

Once the training is done, or none if one chooses to forgo them, a life coach can establish their own business. Steps include registering one's business in your respective state, planning startup costs, and creating a plan on how you would market your business to prospective clients. Finally, a life coach has to decide how to work with clients and how much the charge will be for their services.

So why the hate?

If life coaches can prove beneficial for people's lives, why would some dislike them? Maybe some people dislike life coaches the way others dislike eating a particular food for no solid reason. Another reason that people dislike them is that they do not think of life coaches as professionals. In the eyes of the people, they think, "What makes you think you can tell me how to live my life?" "Did you undergo any professional training, or what have you done in the life that made you think you can help other people?" Plus, life coaches charge for their services, which can be bothersome to others. Others can see it as just another way of making money.

Another reason people cringe at life coaches is because some of them post things of grandeur in their social media posts. For example, some life coaches post photos of themselves on Instagram where you can see them posing on lush and attractive spots such as beaches or luxury resorts. You might even mistake them for celebrities since they look gorgeous and well-propped in their pictures. However, the photos have statements that say something in the lines of "Life is beautiful!" "Live free!" It's as if they're selling a lifestyle, which to people may look like just making false promises and not receiving the coaching, the service they should give in the first place.

Therapists vs. life coaches

A lot of therapists don't like life coaches for some reason. Therapists have to spend a lot of money to become certified. They have to get a bachelor's degree, even a master's degree, or a doctorate before getting licensed to become one. Therapists believe that life coaches are unqualified and they only give advice. A therapist deals with mental issues, but a life coach's job is just as much about providing someone else with the tools they need to grow personally rather than addressing their problems on an emotional level.

Who to consult

There is some gray area between working with a therapist and a life coach. There are a lot of people out there who might need both. They should ask themselves: Do I have an issue that needs addressing on an emotional level? Or do I want help for me to grow personally? Therapists can treat mental health conditions while life coaches cannot. Therapists are licensed, and they have a degree. Life coaches do not need any academic training or formal qualifications for them to become one. Knowing the difference between the two professions can prove beneficial in knowing who to consult depending on what you are experiencing with your current life.