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What Is “Life Coaching?” What Could I Expect?

Jul 1, 2023 | Uncategorized

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Blog post written by Barb Ranck. Barb is a Life and Leadership Coach with Employee & Family Resources

If you’ve never heard of a “life coach,” you’re not alone. Honestly, I hadn’t heard much about life coaching before becoming a certified life coach back in 2018! During the certification process, I coached and was coached by different professional coaches to gain the skills I needed. My experience was so positive and valuable, both personally and professionally, that I knew I wanted to do this work full-time – and now I get to coach on behalf of EFR!

Having worked with many clients over the last five years, the biggest questions I get from those exploring coaching are:

How is coaching different from counseling?
When should I work with a life coach?
What can I expect when working with a life coach?

I’m sharing my answers and experiences to help you decide if life coaching is for you!

Question 1: How is coaching different from counseling?

Great question. First, I’m going to share what they both have in common:

Both focus on helping a person move forward.
Both offer environments where the client can explore, in a confidential format, what’s most important to them.

Where they differ:

The counseling profession requires more in-depth training, education, and hands-on practice to earn a degree. This level of rigor allows counselors to administer mental health treatments like psychotherapy to individuals struggling with mental and emotional disorders such as anxiety, addiction, and depression.
Professional coaching was legitimized in the 1980s, under the guidance of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). This global body of ICF professionals created a system of ethics, standards, and accreditation for those pursuing careers as professional coaches. That said, the coaching industry overall is not highly regulated. Some “coaching” companies offer courses to become a life coach by watching “a quick video.”

If you want to work with a coach with proven skills, abilities, and coach-practice hours, you’ll want to ask about their coach training and if they are ICF-accredited. EFR-contracted coaches have all been pre-screened to support EFR clients with the highest-quality coaching.

Question 2: When should I work with a life coach?

Below is a sample list of scenarios from clients I’ve personally engaged with in life coaching. Can you see yourself in one or more of these situations?

You’re an employee or leader wanting to find ways to communicate more effectively or be more productive at work to get better outcomes.
You find yourself burning out at a job you used to have more energy to do. You can’t quite pinpoint the cause. You’ve tried everything you already knew to do and need help finding new tools and solutions.
You’re considering making a change at work (i.e., retirement, advancing to a different role, or switching jobs entirely). You don’t want to share details with your leader or colleagues just yet, so you need a space to talk it through with someone who can support you.
You like your job but have always wanted to explore a side job related to your passion. You want help clarifying what that might look like and what steps to take next.
You struggle with getting everything done. Time management tips may be helpful.
You’re trying hard to balance family, work, friends, and other responsibilities, but feel generally exhausted. It would help just to talk to someone who can celebrate where things are going well and motivate you to try new things.
You are a continuous learner. You are open to exploring all the options to help you move forward faster.
You’ve been in counseling or may even be actively meeting with a therapist, but you wonder if/how life coaching could supplement your personal journey.

I’ve helped clients in all the situations above, plus others not listed here. If you find yourself in one or more of the categories above, a life coach can offer expertise, encouragement, and support.

Question 3: What can I expect when working with a life coach?

While the coaching process and format (i.e., in-person or remote-only meetings) may vary from coach to coach, I’ll showcase the EFR process and what you can expect.

Identify an area where you’d like to make progress and are looking for accountability and support.
Contact EFR at (800) 327-4692 and provide this information to the phone counselor. NOTE: Information shared is strictly confidential. You will be pre-approved for the number of sessions available in your plan.
You will be given information to contact your assigned EFR Life Coach.

All EFR coaching sessions are either over Zoom or by phone. Each session lasts about an hour, and the frequency is up to the client. I have clients who prefer to meet weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and some less frequently than that.

So, are you ready?

Let EFR support you in your journey, whether it be one of our professional coaches or counselors. The next step is up to you!

Take the next step with the help of a life coach!

If you have Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits through EFR, you can schedule sessions with a life coach at no cost! Your life coach will provide expertise, guidance, and accountability as you embark on a structured, goal-oriented approach to overcome personal or professional obstacles and achieve success.

Become your best self with the help of a life coach!

From coffee to soda to energy drinks, caffeine is a part of daily life for many of us. And while it is naturally occurring, overconsumption can cause health problems such as increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, anxiety, headaches, and insomnia. For this blog, we sat down with Susie Roberts, a Registered Dietitian to discuss all things caffeine—why it’s such a big part of our lives, how much of it is in the food items many people enjoy regularly, and how much is too much. We’ll also talk about current trends and tips on how to boost your energy naturally so you can stop relying on caffeine to keep you energized throughout the day.

Q: Just this morning, I heard someone say “I’m not caffeinated enough for this day!” It really is such a big part of our daily lives. Why do you think that is?
A: It’s not surprising at all to hear that! About 90% of American adults consume caffeine daily. People are looking for ways to boost their energy and increase alertness and caffeine is readily available and socially acceptable.

Q: So, what exactly is caffeine, and how does it work?
A: Caffeine is a natural stimulant that affects the central nervous system. After consumption, it’s absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the brain, where it blocks the effects of adenosine—a chemical that promotes sleep. This interference helps you feel more alert and awake.

Caffeine typically reaches your brain within 15 minutes, peaks in the bloodstream at 30 to 120 minutes, and has a half-life of 3 to 7 hours.

Q: Everyone knows that coffee and many soft drinks contain caffeine. But where else can it be found? If we are consuming these beverages and other items, how can we know the amount of caffeine we are getting?
A: Energy drinks have become very popular—especially among young adults. These contain not only caffeine, but may also have added sugars, so it’s a double whammy. Chocolate and many varieties of tea also contain caffeine. You may also want to check out any nutrition supplements or medications you are taking. And, many people may not realize it, but even decaf coffee contains a certain amount of caffeine.

Q: How much is too much when it comes to caffeine?
A: For most healthy adults, the FDA says up to 400 mg per day is safe. That’s about 4 cups of coffee. But you need to remember, that’s based on an 8 oz cup. Many people order an extra-large coffee, so you need to be aware of exactly how much you are taking in. Each individual reacts differently to caffeine based on their genetics, medications, and sleep habits.

How Much Is Too Much? Make Sure You Know Your Limits.

Q: What are the current trends in caffeine consumption?
A: As I mentioned before, energy drinks are increasing in popularity. They haven’t taken over coffee in the top spot, but Americans spent $19.2 billion on them in 2023 and that’s expected to rise to $33 billion by 2030. Coffee remains at the top, accounting for 69% of total caffeine intake, an increase of 15% in the last decade. And while the number of tea drinkers has dropped by 50%, those who drink it are consuming more.

Q: How can I be more aware about the amount of caffeine I’m getting?
A: Mindful consumption of caffeine is being intentional about what, when, and how much you consume. Track your intake and pay attention to any potential unwanted side effects like jitters or difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. Are you sleeping 6-8 hours a night and waking refreshed? If not, consider a “hard stop” 10 hours before your bedtime. Remember, that cup of coffee you had at 8 am can potentially still be in your system at 5 pm, so it’s important to time it right. And finally, if you decide you want to reduce your caffeine consumption, do it slowly to minimize any withdrawal symptoms such as headaches.

Be Mindful of Your Caffeine Consumption.

Q: Sometimes though, you need extra energy when you hit that afternoon slump. Can you suggest any alternative ways to get that boost and avoid turning to caffeine?
A: There are a few simple ways you can get that energy boost. First, make sure you are hydrated. Water supports joint health, oxygen delivery, temperature regulation, skin health, and more. You also want to move—even a short walk or stretch break can help. Make sure your meals are balanced with a protein and complex carbs. And most importantly, rest and recover. Sometimes rest—not more coffee—is what your body needs.

Q: So, what are your final thoughts on caffeine?
A: Caffeine can be part of a healthy lifestyle and may even offer some health benefits—but it’s all about balance and awareness. If you’re reaching for that third cup of coffee at 3 pm, pause and ask: Am I actually tired, hungry, or just in a habit? And then give one of the things we talked about a try, to get that energy boost naturally and see if that caffeine craving goes away.