What Life Coaching Really Is (And What It’s Not)
When I first set out to become a certified life coach, I thought I knew what coaching was all about. Like many people, I had a general idea—but I quickly realized how much more there was to learn. Life coaching is often misunderstood, and that confusion can prevent people from experiencing the profound transformation it offers.
While every life coach brings their own style, philosophy, and focus, this post shares what life coaching means to me—rooted in my certification training and the real-world experiences I’ve had with clients. If you’ve ever wondered what life coaching is (and what it isn’t), you’re in the right place.
What Life Coaching Is
Life Coaching is a structured, solution-focused approach that invites people to:
see their world differently
dream bigger than they’ve dared before
create results that feel out of reach, impossible, too difficult, or scary
make meaningful, lasting changes in their life
cultivate a strong and deep foundation to support growth and success
create a lifestyle they love with the freedom to do what is most important to them
dig deeper than they ever have to identify what is holding them back from reaching their highest potential
Life coaching is about forward momentum. It’s about you becoming the expert in your own life—with a guide to support, challenge, and empower you along the way.
Coaching Is for Everyone—Not Just One Kind of Goal
People seek out life coaching for a variety of reasons and in every area of life:
Health, relationships, career, executive leadership, spirituality, productivity, fitness, finances, and beyond.
What ties it all together is this: life coaching provides support, empowerment, and accountability to anyone ready for change.
While some clients look for coaches with specific experience in a niche area, a well-trained coach is equipped to work with individuals on a broad range of goals—because coaching is less about giving answers and more about asking the right questions.
Is Life Coaching Right For You?
I created a simple visual to help explain what life coaching is and how it can help:
Clearing Up Common Misconceptions
There’s a lot of confusion about what life coaching is and what it isn’t. Let’s break down some of the most common myths:
❌ Misconception # 1: Life coaches give you all the answers.
✔️ Reality: A good coach won’t give you advice—they’ll help you discover your own answers. Through powerful questions, deep listening, and strategic guidance, coaching empowers clients to take ownership of their journey.
❌ Misconception # 2: Anyone can be a Life Coach — no training required.
✔️ Reality: It’s true that coaching is currently unregulated, but that doesn’t mean training isn’t important. Many life coaches (myself included) undergo rigorous certification programs to ensure we provide ethical, effective, evidence-informed support. Do your research when choosing a coach—just like you would for a therapist, doctor, or contractor.
❌ Misconception # 3: Coaching is a scam.
✔️ Reality: Unfortunately, because of the lack of regulation, some people market themselves as coaches without proper training or understanding of the profession. That’s where disappointment—and the “scam” reputation—can happen. But with a qualified, credible coach, the experience is powerful, professional, and deeply impactful.
❌ Misconception # 4: Life coaches are just trying to be therapists without the education or licensure.
✔️ Reality: Coaching and therapy are fundamentally different services. Therapy is focused on supporting and managing symptoms associated with a mental health diagnosis. Coaching is focused on growth, goals, and the future. As someone who is both a licensed therapist (LCSW-C) and a certified life coach, I hold deep respect for both professions—and I’m clear about the boundaries between them in my work.
Coaching is not a replacement for therapy. It doesn’t diagnose or treat conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, or ADHD. But it can be a powerful complement to therapy—or the next step forward once you’ve done healing work and are ready to create something new.
Final Thoughts
Life coaching has the power to help you create a life that’s aligned, fulfilling, and deeply your own. Whether you’re feeling stuck, striving for something more, or simply curious about what’s possible, coaching offers a space to explore your potential with intention and support.
If you’re ready to shift from default mode to dream life, I’m here to help you get there—one bold, intentional step at a time.
Written by Rebecca Svrjcek, LCSW-C, Certified Life Coach
