Life coach

Career path and progression

You could specialise in a particular type of life coaching like business executive, spiritual or health and wellbeing coaching.

Many life coaches begin work part-time, sometimes alongside another job, building their hours as they grow their caseload of clients.

You could set up your own business and employ other coaches.

You could use your skills and experience to train or supervise people new to coaching.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• customer service skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to enjoy working with other people
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Psychology - Life coaches need a strong understanding of how people think, feel, and behave in order to help them overcome barriers and make positive changes. Knowledge of motivation, cognitive patterns, and emotional responses helps them use the right techniques to support each client effectively.
• Business - Life coaches are very often self-employed, meaning they need to market their services, manage finances, and build a client base from scratch. Some also specialise in executive or business coaching, helping professionals improve their performance at work.
• English Language - Life coaches rely heavily on communication skills – asking the right questions, listening carefully, and helping clients articulate their goals clearly. They also need to write professional emails, maintain client records, and sometimes produce promotional content for their business.

Also relevant

• Sociology - Life coaches work with people from all kinds of backgrounds and need to understand how social factors – like family, culture, and community – shape someone's attitudes and opportunities. This awareness helps them tailor their approach to each client's situation.
• Philosophy - Life coaches regularly explore clients' values, beliefs, and what gives their life meaning – questions that sit at the heart of philosophy. Skills in ethical reasoning and critical thinking help coaches guide conversations without imposing their own views.
• Physical Education - Life coaches who specialise in health and wellbeing coaching benefit from understanding how physical activity, fitness, and lifestyle choices affect mental and emotional health. Some life coaches also draw on sports coaching techniques like goal-setting and performance planning.
• Accounting - Life coaches who run their own business need to handle invoicing, track expenses, manage cash flow, and deal with tax returns. Understanding basic accounting principles helps them keep their practice financially sustainable as they grow their client base.