There are good ones out there and rubbish ones.
Ensure that you look for someone who actually has some qualifications and good reviews, not just Charlotte (Made up name) who is all bubbly and spends her life on Facebook throwing out lots of feel good memes and quotes. Life coaching is unregulated, so there are some right idiots out there, who think they can coach.
Ask them what their coaching methodology is too. If they can’t answer that question or don’t understand it, then walk away. (If they mention the GROW model, then it’s a great start). Coaching isn’t about giving you advice or telling you want to do, but using a recognised methodology to guide you through making the best decisions for yourself. It’s about empowering you to make, meet and exceed your personal and professional goals and helping you to make positive changes.
The type of qualifications you should look for in a coach would be something like an ILM level 5 or level 7 (post grad in coaching). They should also be members of a coaching association, such as the AC (Association for Coaching) or the EMCC UK (European mentoring and coaching council)
Yes, I am a coach (before you ask), but I don’t do life coaching. I coach people in work, mainly Leaders/managers or staff who are looking develop themselves or their career. I have a post graduate in executive coaching.