Is Your Coach Actually a Coach?

What You Need to Know Before You Hire One

Ahhhh, yes. I’m so glad you’re here. I feel passionately about coaching, and honestly, the time is long overdue for a real conversation.

Let’s talk about something most people don’t realize: coaching is an unregulated industry.

That means anyone can call themselves a coach, with zero training, no ethical code, and no oversight. It can feel like the Wild West out there. And while some folks do meaningful work without formal credentials, others can cause harm simply because they don’t know what they don’t know.

How to Find a Trained and Trusted Coach

The best place to start? Look for a coach who has received formal training that’s been accredited by a third-party organization.

Just like anyone can say they’re a coach, anyone can build a training program and start handing out certificates. So, third-party accreditation matters; it’s how you know the program meets professional, evidence-based standards.

Two of the most trusted accrediting bodies in coaching are

• The International Coaching Federation (ICF)
• The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)