You may be here because you searched Google for a Life Coach or Mindset Coach or Empowerment Coach or…the list of the different types of coaches goes on and on. With so many options out there, it’s hard to get to the bottom of what you need and search engines don’t help as much as they should. This article serves as a quick primer on the type of “coaches” we’ve worked with, what they offer, and why sometimes the nuanced differences don’t even matter.

Many of the coaches listed below will blend into each other and work in additional areas. The reality is that what you learn with one can be applied to other areas in your life. 

1. Professional Coach

Professional Coaches typically help you with your work and business life. They will help guide you on the direction you’re going and where you want to be. With a professional coach, you can maximize your career potential and make a plan for achieving your wildest salary dreams. For example, a professional coach may help you reflect on your career aspirations and current role to determine what growth opportunities you need to seek out or apply for. They’ll ask questions like: 

• What does your dream job look like? What does it not look like?
• What does “professional success” look like for you?
• What are your strengths in a team environment? Your weaknesses?

Think you might need a Professional Coach? Here are a few to check out: 

• Brandi Nicole Johnson
• Adèle Oosthuizen
• Or search for an accredited coach that resonates with you on the International Coaching Federation’s website.

2. Life Coach

Life Coaches are aimed at improving your life in all possible areas. Whether that’s in a professional or personal realm, they are focused on helping you make your life better as a whole. Life coaches will help you identify what you want most out of life and then how to overcome obstacles to chase that dream with abandon. They’ll ask you questions like: 

• If you could do, be, or create anything, what would it be?
• What obstacles are in your way of achieving your biggest, scariest dream?
• What three areas of your life would you like to develop, enhance, or grow?

Think you might need a Life Coach? Here are a few to check out: 

• Dr. Shannon T. Harrington
• Aren Bahia
• Ben Hedberg

3. Empowerment Coach

When you think “Empowerment Coach,” just think of Tony Robbins: “YOU GOT THIS!” You have the power to do anything. All it takes is adjusting your thinking and an “I can” attitude. They’ll help you find the power within yourself to do anything you set your mind to. If you need help in the self-esteem realm, an Empowerment Coach is for you. They’ll ask you questions like:

• List 10 things you absolutely love about yourself.
• What activities make you feel most alive and at-home in your body?
• What does healthy self-esteem look like to you?

Think you might need an Empowerment Coach? Here are a few to check out: 

• Health Coach Institute’s Empowerment Coaches
• Judi Vitale
• Stacy S. Crawley

4. Relationship Coach

A Relationship Coach helps you improve your romantic and life-long relationships in many ways. They might help you improve communication, seek understanding, mediate conflict, and learn tools to keep in your back pocket when your relationship is on unsteady ground. They’ll ask you questions like:

• What does a healthy relationship look like to you? Does your relationship meet this standard?
• What makes you feel loved by your partner?
• How would your last partner describe you? Your relationship?

Think you might need a Relationship Coach? Here are a few to check out: 

• Esther Perel (while she might not be available for individual coaching, she’s a wonderful resource for information about relationships)
• The Gottman Institute (a great resource for online courses about relationship building) 
• Samantha Burns

5. Lifestyle/Wellness Coach

The definition of a Lifestyle Coach can get muddied. While it’s very similar to a Life Coach, typically a Lifestyle Coach is aimed towards health and fitness. They will help you identify your goals and zero-in on the day-to-day changes that you need to make in your life to make those goals possible. They’ll ask you questions like:

• What three health-related objectives would you like to achieve?
• What is your biggest obstacle in your health journey right now?
• What drives you to make this change now?

Think you might need a Lifestyle Coach? Here are a few to check out: 

• Julie Santiago
• Katie Duda
• Emma Lou/The Lifestyle Coach
• Craig White

6. Financial Coach

Financial Coaches help their clients work through money-related issues and help you plan for your financial future. This could range from teaching you basic personal finance to helping you navigate the world of investing. They’ll ask you questions like:

• Where do your beliefs about money come from? How did money play a role in your childhood?
• What is your biggest financial concern?
• What are your financial goals and values? What do you want your financial future to look like?

Think you might need a Financial Coach? Here are a few to check out: 

• Christine Teh
• Natalia Benson
• Adam Kol

7. Mindset Coach

We all have specific patterns of thinking we’ve created and honed since we were born. A Mindset Coach can help rewire the thought patterns that no longer serve you, which then opens up new possibilities in your life. Sometimes the biggest obstacle in our way of achieving our dreams is our own self-doubt. Mindset Coaches help you work through your own limiting beliefs and unlock your true potential. They’ll ask you questions like:

• When the “voice” in your head is speaking – whose voice is it exactly? What does it say?
• What are the stories you tell yourself? Do they serve you or tear you down?
• What are the stressors that keep you up at night?

Think you might need a Mindset Coach? Here are a few to check out: 

• Alison Canavan
• Katie Sandler
• Melissa Wolak

8. Spiritual Coach

Spiritual Coaches help you explore your connection to the universe and your own spirituality. They’ll encourage you to question your place on this Earth and prompt you to think deeply about your purpose and mission. Spiritual Coaches will hold your hand as you work through some of life’s most difficult questions. They’ll ask you questions like:

• What do you believe in?
• Where does your drive come from?
• What were you born to do, create, or be? Are you fulfilling that prophecy? 

Think you might need a Spiritual Coach? Here are a few to check out: 

• Atousa Raissyan
• Bela Divine
• Tanin Matin

9. Grief Coach

Grief comes in a myriad of forms. Loss of home, job, loved one, stability…the operative word is loss. A Grief Coach can help you process and learn how to live with loss. With a Grief Coach and the tools you learn, you can lessen the pain while accepting the emotions that arise from your experience. They’ll ask you questions like:

• What gives you the most comfort right now?
• What is your absolute favorite memory of the bereaved?
• Have you allowed yourself to feel the extent of your grief? 

Think you might need a Grief Coach? Here are a few to check out: 

• Erika M. Schreck
• Jill Smolowe
• A Bed for My Heart

It’s important to note that only a licensed, certified medical professional can treat mental health issues. If you have a need in this area, I implore you to seek professional assistance. Seeing both a licensed professional and a coach can absolutely be beneficial and complimentary. Regardless of what avenue of help you decide to take, make sure it’s YOUR choice and be ready to do the work required to help yourself improve. Neither professional can fix things for you. They can listen, give you advice, help you navigate issues and yet, if you’re not willing to practice and apply their guidance, nothing will change.

And hey, if you need a coach that will help you learn that kind of radical self-ownership, contact me to start your journey; I’ll be waiting for you.