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Frequently Asked Questions

Your Complete Guide to Life Coaching Questions from an ICF Certified Life CoachHow much should I expect to pay for a life coach?
Life coaching fees in Vancouver (and in general) typically range from $100 to $300 per session, with most experienced coaches charging between $150 and $250 per hour.ICF-certified coaches often charge at the higher end of this range due to their rigorous training and adherence to ethical standards.Many coaches offer package deals that can reduce the per-session cost.
A typical coaching engagement might include 6-12 sessions over 3-6 months. Some coaches offer sliding scale options or group coaching at lower rates.When evaluating cost, consider the coach's credentials, experience, and specialization. An ICF-certified coach has completed accredited training and maintains continuing education requirements, which often justifies a higher investment in your personal development.What does a life coach really do?A life coach partners with you to help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Unlike therapy, which often focuses on healing past trauma, coaching is forward-focused and action-oriented.In our sessions, I will:
- Help you clarify your values, vision, and goals
- Identify obstacles and limiting beliefs holding you back
- Create actionable strategies and accountability structures
- Ask powerful questions that prompt deeper self-reflection
- Provide support and encouragement throughout your journey
- Celebrate your wins and help you learn from setbacks
- Keep you accountableICF coaches follow a specific coaching framework that emphasizes your autonomy.We believe you are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole.
Our role is not to give advice but to facilitate your own insights and solutions.Are life coaches regulated in Canada?
Life coaching is currently an unregulated profession in Canada, meaning there are no legal requirements to practice as a coach.This is why choosing a credentialed coach is so important.The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the gold standard for coaching credentials.ICF certification requires:
- Completion of accredited coach training programs
- Demonstrated coaching competencies through assessment
- Adherence to a strict code of ethics
- Ongoing professional developmentWhen selecting a coach in Vancouver, look for ICF credentials (ACC, PCC, or MCC) to ensure you're working with someone who has met rigorous professional standards.What is the difference between a life coach and counselor?
While both professions support personal growth, they serve different purposes:Counselors/Therapists:
- Licensed mental health professionals
- Diagnose and treat mental health conditions
- Focus on healing past wounds and trauma
- Often covered by extended health benefits
- Required for clinical mental health issuesLife Coaches:
- Not licensed mental health providers
- Work with emotionally healthy clients
- Focus on future goals and present actions
- Generally not covered by insurance
- Best for personal development and goal achievementIf you're dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health conditions, a counselor or therapist is appropriate. If you're generally functioning well but want to achieve specific goals, improve relationships, or navigate life transitions, coaching is ideal.Many people benefit from both simultaneously. Therapy for mental health support and coaching for goal achievement. Referrals between therapists and coaches are also common. For example: At the conclusion of therapy engagement, a therapist might refer the client to a life coach for future goals exploration.What is the downside of life coach?
While coaching can be transformative, there are some considerations:Cost: Quality coaching is an investment.
Unregulated industry: Not all coaches are created equal. Without regulation, anyone can call themselves a coach. This makes credential verification essential.
Not a substitute for therapy: Coaches cannot treat mental health conditions. If you need clinical support, coaching alone won't be sufficient.
Results require commitment: Coaching only works if you do the work between sessions. It requires active participation, honesty, and willingness to change.
No guarantees: While coaching can accelerate progress, there are no guaranteed outcomes. Success depends on many factors including your commitment and circumstances.Working with an ICF-certified coach minimizes many of these risks through established ethical standards and proven coaching competencies.Do I need a counsellor or a life coach?
Choose a counsellor if you:
- Are experiencing symptoms of mental illness (depression, anxiety, trauma)
- Need to process past emotional wounds
- Require a diagnosis or clinical treatment plan
- Want sessions covered by health insurance
- Are struggling to function in daily life
Choose a life coach if you:
- Are generally emotionally healthy
- Want to achieve specific personal or professional goals
- Feel stuck and need clarity on your direction
- Want accountability and support for change
- Are navigating a life transition (career change, relationship, etc.)It's not always either/or. Many people work with both a therapist and a coach for comprehensive support. If you're unsure, starting with a consultation with both professionals can help you determine the right fit.What is the alternative to a life coach?
If coaching isn't right for you, consider these alternatives:
Therapy/Counseling: For mental health support and processing past trauma.
Mentorship: Working with someone experienced in your specific field who can offer direct advice and guidance.
Support groups: Peer-based support for specific challenges (career transitions, grief, major life changes).
Self-directed learning: Books, courses, and workshops on personal development topics.
Accountability partners: A friend or colleague who helps you stay on track with goals.
Career counselors: Specifically focused on professional development and career transitions.Each approach has its place. Many successful people combine several of these resources to support their growth and development.Does a life coach need to be certified?
Legally, no. Anyone can call themselves a life coach without certification. Practically speaking, certification is crucial for quality coaching.ICF certification ensures your coach has:
- Completed at least 60-125 hours of accredited training (depending on credential level)
- Demonstrated core coaching competencies through rigorous assessment
- Committed to ongoing professional development
- Agreed to follow the ICF Code of EthicsWhen investing in coaching, choosing a certified coach protects you and increases the likelihood of meaningful results.At Aligned Life Coaching, I hold ICF credentials (ACC) and continue to invest in my professional development to serve my clients at the highest level.
Please reach out or book a Clarity Call if you are curious to learn more about whether or not coaching is a good fit for you.Is coaching more effective than therapy?
Coaching and therapy serve different purposes, so "more effective" depends on what you need.Research shows coaching is highly effective for:
- Goal achievement and performance improvement
- Increasing self-awareness and confidence
- Developing leadership skills
- Navigating career transitions
- Enhancing work-life balanceTherapy is more effective for:
- Treating diagnosed mental health conditions
- Processing trauma and past wounds
- Managing symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Healing relationship patterns rooted in childhoodFor emotionally healthy individuals seeking to achieve specific goals, coaching can produce faster, more action-oriented results.For those dealing with mental health challenges, therapy is essential.The best approach for you depends on your current mental health status and what you're trying to achieve.What is the 70/30 rule in coaching?
The 70/30 rule states that in an effective coaching session, the client should be speaking about 70% of the time while the coach speaks about 30%.This principle reflects the ICF coaching philosophy that clients are experts in their own lives. The coach's role is to:
- Ask powerful, thought-provoking questions
- Listen deeply and reflect what they hear
- Hold space for the client's exploration
- Offer observations when helpfulThis is different from consulting or advising, where the expert does most of the talking. In coaching, your insights and solutions matter most. The coach facilitates your thinking rather than telling you what to do.At Aligned Life Coaching, I follow ICF core competencies that prioritize your voice, your wisdom, and your autonomy throughout our work together.What can a life coach not do?
As an ICF-certified life coach, I'm clear about professional boundaries:
Cannot:
- Diagnose or treat mental health conditions
- Prescribe medication or provide medical advice
- Offer therapy or psychological counseling
- Practice outside my scope of training
- Guarantee specific outcomes
- Make decisions for you
- Give legal or financial adviceCan:
- Partner with you on goal setting and achievement
- Help you develop self-awareness and clarity
- Create accountability structures
- Support you through transitions and challenges
- Challenge limiting beliefs
- Help with life designEthical coaches recognize when a client needs support beyond coaching scope and will refer to appropriate professionals. Your wellbeing always comes first.What are the 3 C's of coaching?
The 3 C's of coaching are fundamental principles that guide effective coaching relationships:
1. Clarity: Helping you gain clear understanding of your values, goals, current reality, and the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
2. Confidence: Building your belief in your ability to achieve your goals through small wins, acknowledging strengths, and reframing limiting beliefs.
3. Commitment: Supporting you in taking consistent action toward your goals with accountability, structure, and encouragement.These principles align with ICF core competencies and create the foundation for transformational coaching. When you have clarity about what you want, confidence that you can achieve it, and commitment to take action, remarkable change becomes possible.Ready to Get Started?If you're in Vancouver and ready to invest in your personal growth, I'd love to support you.
As an ICF-certified life coach at Aligned Life Coaching, I bring professional training, ethical standards, and a commitment to your success.I bring a unique perspective shaped by my work in tech, content creation (including YouTube), and photography business.
I've personally navigated the growing pains, limiting beliefs, and obstacles that many of my clients are working through, which allows me to support you with both professional expertise and genuine understanding.
Book a free discovery call to explore whether coaching is right for you and how we can work together to create the life you truly want.Yash Bhargava | ICF-Certified Life Coach (ACC) | Aligned Life Coaching
Vancouver (serving clients remotely worldwide)

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