When I decided to be a life coach for highly sensitive people (HSPs), I envisioned giving clients boisterous pep talks, enthusiastic high fives, and cheering them on with a peppy “You can do it!” attitude. I thought I would have to learn how to switch between giving tough love and inspirational monologues as I pushed clients forcefully in the right direction.

What is life coaching, then, if it’s not to show clients the ropes and push them to do better and achieve greater? What does the process look like? Furthermore, is it useful for HSPs?

In this article, I’m going to break down the fundamentals of life coaching and whether HSPs can benefit from the process. This way, you can decide if it’s the right path for you at this moment in your journey.

What Is Life Coaching?

Life coaching is a partnership between the coach and client where, through exploration and self-reflection, the client can overcome his or her obstacles and accomplish their goals. The life-coaching process is a gentle and effective process that sparks personal growth and powerful mindset changes.

For example, let’s say you’re having trouble deciding what to do next in your career. You bring this issue to your coach thinking you don’t have the necessary experience to go for your dream job and you need to improve your skills. As you and your coach unpack why this might be, you discover that you had what it takes all along, but it’s your self-confidence that is getting in your way.

As Marcia Reynolds, an executive coach and global chair of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), often says, we get stuck in our own stories and this makes it hard for us to identify the underlying reason we can’t make progress. Your coach will help you figure out the real reason you’re being held back so you can tackle the issue at the root of the cause and move forward.

Types of Coaches

Keep in mind that there are several different types of coaches out there, such as:

• life coaches

• career coaches

• health and wellness coaches

• relationship coaches

• leadership coaches

• financial coaches

• spiritual coaches

And the list goes on.

If you are looking for a specific type of coach, see if you can find someone who specializes in your area of need. If you find a general life coach you click with, however, you might also get just as much value in your sessions together. Keep trying different coaches until you find the right one for you, and many offer their first session for free so you can weigh your options without a large investment.

Coaching Credentials

There are credentials that coaches can earn through reputable organizations. Many coaches get their certification through the ICF where they can attain three certification levels:

1. Associate Certified Coach (ACC): Requires 60 hours of education and 100 hours of coaching.

2. Professional Certified Coach (PCC): Requires 125 hours of education and 500 hours of coaching.

3. Master Certified Coach (MCC): Requires a PCC credential, 200 hours of education, and 2,500 hours of coaching.

Coaches who are just starting out often offer discounted pricing — even free sessions — as part of their training, so don’t shy away from asking your coach where they are in their coaching journey and if a discounted or free session is an option.

What Life Coaching Is Not

Life coaching is not mentorship or therapy. There are clear differences between these services:

• Mentorship is when someone who has been on your path offers advice and shares what works for them. Coaches should not give advice unless asked for it; rather, since they haven’t walked in your shoes or know you as in-depth as you know yourself, they help you figure out the answers you already have within you.

• Therapy occurs when a mental health professional helps you understand past traumas and practice coping mechanisms to heal and move forward. This option is for people suffering from anxiety, depression, and PTSD, among other medical and mental health challenges.

Many HSPs will find that they can use a combination of these services at one time, as they each have different uses and outcomes.

How HSPs Can Benefit from Life Coaching

HSPs can benefit greatly from life coaching, especially for those with challenges that habitually get in their way. A good life coach will help you clear the cobwebs and regain focus so you can work on making progress toward your goals.

Studies show that 80% of people who hire a coach report an increase in confidence and self-esteem. Other benefits for HSPs include:

• Managing overwhelm in daily life, relationships, and the workplace.

• Building healthy boundaries between family, friends, and coworkers.

• Developing a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lifestyle.

• Completing projects that have been sitting on the back burner.

• Cultivating a positive mindset and developing strengths.

• Gaining self-awareness and clarity surrounding your goals.

With lots of reflective questioning (where your coach repeats what you say back to you and asks pointed questions to reframe the issue), you can better see the holes in your approach and adjust. Your coach should also help you remain accountable and celebrate your wins, nudging you toward achieving your goals and making progress while enabling you to take the reins.

Start Your Journey with an HSP Life Coach Today

Life coaching is often a wonderful choice for HSPs struggling to build a better future. Get started building the life you want and deserve by setting up a free discovery session with a Happy HSP life coach. Together, we can assess your goals and choose your best path forward in a caring and judgment-free environment cultivated by fellow HSPs.