5 Types of Life Coaches: A Complete Guide

Some days, life just feels overwhelming. Constant work emails, social events, and errands flood your calendar. Amid the chaos, how do you make time for more soulful experiences? Planning for your future? Enriching your relationships? Practicing self-care? Life coaches can help — but you’ll want to know which types of life coaches to look for.

What are the different types of coaches, and how do you tell which one is best for your situation? Personally, I think every life coach should value self-awareness and accountability — two key aspects of my individual coaching program.

Whether you’re after a religion-based program or executive career coaching, there’s a compassionate, skilled professional waiting to support you. 

Let’s dive into the types of life coaches to help you pick your perfect match. 

5 Types of Life Coaches & Coaching Styles

Online ads promote superior coaching methods and claim proven success with their programs. So, what are the 5 coaching styles most likely to bring you results? 

Here’s the thing: there are countless types of life coaches and hundreds of coaching styles. We’ll cover five popular types of coaches and consultants to help you narrow it down. 

Let’s start from the top:

1. Executive/Leadership Coaches

You might wonder: what type of life coach is most in demand?

Of all the types of life coaching niches, there’s been a BOOM in executive coaching. Think Fortune-500 executives, successful business CEOs, and even senior management corporate staff.

All of these leadership positions experienced immense stress after the COVID-19 pandemic, which made executive coaches among the most popular types of online coaches.

Forbes describes many reasons why someone would hire an executive coach, like: 

• Feeling overwhelmed: People in leadership positions have constant expectations to meet from stakeholders, team members, and clients. 
• Navigating diverse political landscapes and stakeholders: With competing agendas and corporate initiatives, some find it difficult to “pick the right battles.”
• Uncertainty about career future: Amidst a bustling career, finding time to map out your future can be challenging.
• Struggling to inspire and promote a positive culture: Watching employees lose interest and enthusiasm is gut-wrenching for leaders. 
• Feeling disliked amongst the team: Leaders experiencing more conflict at work might need a coach to assist with self-awareness.

But executive coaches aren’t a band-aid solution to your leadership woes.

In fact, some might cause havoc on your psychological and professional health. The Harvard Business Review discusses an “alarming” number of executive coaches who sell their services then ignore clients needing psychological help.

What if you’re not a senior executive, but you crave guidance in mapping out career plans?

1. Career Coach

Do you find yourself browsing through job postings monotonously, unclear of which ones actually appeal to you? Maybe you’ve been stuck in the same job for years without any idea how to move forward. 

Career coaches help by providing that extra oomph you need to get out of a job slump. My opinion? They’re one of the most pragmatic types of life coaches because their services don’t end at consulting. 

Here’s what a career coach can help you with: 

• Resume and cover letter drafting and editing
• Interview skill practice
• Exercises to find out your true passions
• 360 reviews (performance feedback from the entire organization)

Do you know the industry you want to work in? Find a life coach that has experience in that field for the best results. 

Of course, life isn’t all about work. Maybe you’re craving some TLC in your love life…there’s a life coach for that, too.

1. Dating and Relationship Coaches

In our list of all the types of coaches, dating and relationship coaches are your go-to for romance. 

Maybe you’re having trouble choosing a dating app or can’t secure any matches on Hinge. Perhaps you feel insecure — you haven’t been on a date in years. Couples even use relationship coaches to work through connection and intimacy issues, money problems, infidelity, child care, and much more. 

You might even find super-specialized coaches such as Dr. Magro, an expert on dating for people on the autism spectrum.. 

However, you could address romance issues in more ways than just a relationship coach. For example, I offer individual and group coaching with a stillness lens. My ultimate goal is helping you get to know yourself better and feel comfortable in your own skin through meditation and coaching — improved relationships are a domino effect. 

Speaking of love, what types of spiritual life coaches can help you love yourself more?

1. Health and Wellness Coaching

Think about your deep-held insecurities. 

• Nobody likes me. 
• I’m too fat to ever feel beautiful. 
• I always feel tired and won’t ever achieve anything.

Do any of these sound familiar? Trust me, I understand. I had serious difficulties learning to love myself, but a little influx of wellness was the answer — in my case, meditation, affirmations, and physical activity. 

A health and wellness coach helps you improve your physical and emotional well-being. In fact, many specialize in niche issues, like: 

• Diet and nutrition
• Women’s sexual health
• Self-care
• Alternative medicine
• Stress management

But are wellness coaches the same as personal trainers, nutritionists, or therapists? Absolutely not. This type of life coach offers you support, accountability, and planning to help you find peace with yourself, but they’re not qualified to offer medical advice unless they’ve earned related certifications. 

Another way to foster self-love is finding your deeper purpose. 

1. Spirituality Coaches

In my experience, I’ve seen many different types of mindset coaches — spirituality coaches are the most likely to help you find your soul’s calling. The thing is, there are many different types of spirituality coaches. 

Some lean towards meditation and Buddhism, while others take a Christian faith-based approach. Others don’t have a religious base at all, and instead focus on helping you:

• Understand your desires and fears
• Align your path with the Universe
• Ground you throughout life’s chaos
• Change your limiting beliefs

Of course, other types of life coaches could infuse some spiritual aspects into their coaching. For example, I love introducing my wealth advisory clients to meditation. 

Choose the Best Type of Life Coach for Your Needs

Bottom line? The best type of life coach depends on you – what you need, desire, and value. Once you find your niche, the possibilities are endless. 

Ready to live life by your design and feel confident every morning? Check out my personal and group coaching programs. I can’t wait to help you unlock your potential and reach every single one of your dreams!

“Asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It’s one of the bravest things you can do.” – Lily Collins