How to Become a Life Coach in Washington D.C.
Do you think you have a lot of advice and life experience to offer and don’t know where to apply it? Life Coaching is a rewarding and fulfilling career and a perfect fit for those who enjoy sharing their knowledge and wisdom. If helping others find their best selves and succeed in the world sounds appealing to you, becoming a life coach is worth considering.
Life coaches generally work independently and are able to choose when and how they work with clients. Many in the field enjoy working in niche markets that highlight their own special skills, talents and worldview. For example, a life coach might focus on helping a client start a business, improve their dating life or live within a set of religious parameters. There are few limitations to the specialties a life coach might choose.
Life Coaching Regulations
Life coaching remains largely unregulated throughout the U.S.; however, those wishing to pursue a career in the field would need to have high ethical and professional standards due to the sensitive nature of the work. One way to ensure a moral framework for life coaches is by choosing to seek credentialing from a trusted organization. International Coach Federation (ICF), a popular choice for many in the industry, offers both credentialing for practitioners and accreditation for training programs.
Training for Life Coaches in the District of Columbia
Life coach training programs are offered in various lengths and with various specialties and teaching methodologies. A few programs that offer training in Washington D.C. include:
- Academy of Creative Coaching offers programs with niche foci, including the ability to create your own specialization. Their Four Pillars of Creative Change™ approach trains coaches to use techniques grounded in The Creative Approach, Positive Psychology, Cultural Competence and Business Development.
- Coach Diversity Institute offers programs both for training individual coaches and for businesses that wish to embrace a more diverse workforce. Programs include in-person training of up to 90 hours, along with take-home assignments and a virtual coaching lab.
- School of Shadow Coaching® offers an intensive training program with a focus on deepening the relationship with the client in order to help them identify and overcome obstacles.
Life Coach Credentialing
International Coach Federation offers credentialing on varying levels depending upon training and experience. The Associate Certified Coach level requires at least 60 hours of training plus 100 hours of coaching; Professional Certified Coach level requires at least 125 hours of training and 500 hours of coaching; and Master Certified coach level requires at least 200 hours of training and 2,500 hours of coaching. ICF also requires continuing education and periodic recertification.
Career Projections for Life Coaches
Life coaches were reported to have made an average of $61,900 in 2015, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although no official means exist for tracking regional salaries or job growth data, life coaching appears to be a growing career with a plethora of training programs offered throughout the country. In a metropolitan area like Washington D.C., it is reasonable to expect ample opportunity for coaches to network and thrive.
Expectations for a Career in Life Coaching
Becoming a life coach means having the freedom to choose how you will run and grow your business. Coaches have the ability to meet with clients either in person, over the phone or on-line, and can take on clients who live very far away without difficulty when it suits both parties. With the perks of self-regulation and the rewarding nature of helping others to reach their dreams, life coaching is a career with a lot of promise for ongoing job satisfaction.