How do you identify a legitimate life coach as opposed to an unqualified quack?

Question

I need to set up an appointment to talk to somebody about practical dating and social skills advice. I want somebody licensed and experienced, ideally who will take psychological health insurance, but I don't know the first thing about finding a good one and not just somebody who will take my money. How do you do it?

Answer 1

CAVEAT EMPTOR, my friend.

"Life coaches" are neither licensed, nor can they (legally) accept insurance. The only credentials they carry are the ones issued by their own "training programs" (typically online "courses" with little or no supervision).

These folks are NOT, I repeat NOT practicing legally if they claim to provide psychotherapy or counseling. The practice of psychology is a LEGALLY REGULATED profession.

If you plan to use your insurance benefits, you will have to see an actual, licensed provider. State licensed professionals include (but are not limited to): psychiatrists (M.D.s), psychologists (Ph.D.s and Psy.D.s) and licensed professional counselors (master's level).

Again, "life coaches" are NOT regulated by the state. They do NOT answer to any real regulatory board, nor are they legally allowed to provide psychotherapy (or even suggest that they do).

~M~

Answer 2

You should check their experience and their qualifications to check if they're to help you or to empty your wallet. I got a life coach/councelor for free where I live and it's helped me a lot to the point I don't feel afraid anymore. If they ask you for a price before getting to know you, forget it. There's a lot of free services out there better than paying a humongous amount of dollars to some quack. Find out for these services online or ask for a friend or relative about it. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Finding a good councellor is akin to finding a good priest. You are either accepting of thehigher authority, or you expend time finding a life coacj or a councelor who appeals to your sense of ideals and thinking. Itis hard to act upon teh advice of a party or person for whom you have no intellectual or emotional connection...and sometimes virtual strangers are easier to communicate with than those who we deem to be a little more intimate than they ought....Dependant upon your personality type...There are also those who can wound with such surreptious spite that thereafter we are loathe to be close with anyone....Life and interpersonal skills are a gift or an art captured by one who inspires an awakening within us a coming out of our shell......Be Blessed and Much Loved...

Answer 4

Find someone who generally wants to help people not someone that just wants money. Just look at their actions and you will know.