Life coaching, session structure, goal setting, overcoming obstacles, personal growth, professional growth, check-in, exploration, strategy building, accountability, wrap-up, assessments, exercises, visualization, journaling prompts, introduction, rapport building, confidentiality, clarifying goals, current situation, Wheel of Life, action plan, self-reflection, mindfulness, coaching style.

Life Coaching

A life coaching session usually includes a structured conversation between the coach and the client focused on setting goals, overcoming obstacles, and creating strategies for personal or professional growth.

According to a 2009 ICF Global Coaching Study, 73% of coaching clients say that coaching helps them improve their relationships, communication skills (72%), interpersonal skills (71%), work performance (70%), work/life balance (67%), and wellness (63%).

Here’s what a typical life coaching session often includes:

  • Check-in: The coach and client review progress since the last session and discuss any updates.
  • Goal Setting: The client identifies what they want to focus on during the session.
  • Exploration: The coach asks powerful, open-ended questions to help the client explore their thoughts, feelings, and challenges more deeply.
  • Strategy Building: Together, they brainstorm ideas, set action steps, and create a plan to move forward.
  • Accountability: The coach helps the client commit to specific actions they’ll take before the next meeting.
  • Wrap-up: The session ends with a recap of key insights, a summary of action steps, and sometimes a little motivational boost.

Some coaches also incorporate tools like assessments, exercises, visualization, or journaling prompts depending on the client’s needs. Let’s break it down a bit more, using the flow of a first life coaching session as an example:

Life coaching, session structure, goal setting, overcoming obstacles, personal growth, professional growth, check-in, exploration, strategy building, accountability, wrap-up, assessments, exercises, visualization, journaling prompts, introduction, rapport building, confidentiality, clarifying goals, current situation, Wheel of Life, action plan, self-reflection, mindfulness, coaching style.

1. Introduction and Rapport Building

  • The coach and client spend a few minutes getting comfortable, especially if it’s their first meeting.
  • The coach might explain what coaching is (and isn’t—like it’s not therapy) and what the client can expect.
  • They may discuss confidentiality and how they’ll work together.

2. Clarifying the Client’s Goals

  • The coach will ask questions like:
    • “What would you like to accomplish from coaching?”
    • “Where do you feel stuck?”
    • “What would success look like for you?”
  • Sometimes, clients have very clear goals; other times, they need help figuring them out.

3. Exploring the Current Situation

  • The coach helps the client dig into where they are right now versus where they want to be.
  • They explore obstacles, fears, strengths, and resources.
  • Tools like a “Wheel of Life” exercise (where clients rate satisfaction in different life areas) might be used to give a visual overview.

4. Setting an Initial Action Plan

  • Based on the discussion, the coach and client set a few specific actions or focus areas to work on before the next session.
  • These actions are usually small, achievable steps that build momentum.
  • The client decides on the actions with the coach’s support—not the coach assigning homework like a teacher.

5. Wrapping Up the Session

Life coaching, session structure, goal setting, overcoming obstacles, personal growth, professional growth, check-in, exploration, strategy building, accountability, wrap-up, assessments, exercises, visualization, journaling prompts, introduction, rapport building, confidentiality, clarifying goals, current situation, Wheel of Life, action plan, self-reflection, mindfulness, coaching style.
  • The coach summarizes the key points discussed.
  • They check in: “How are you feeling about your action plan?”
  • They schedule or discuss the next session and agree on how to stay in touch if needed (like emailing updates or questions between sessions).

Throughout the session, the coach is mainly listening deeply, asking powerful questions, encouraging self-reflection, and helping the client stay focused. Different coaches may add things like mindfulness exercises, visualization, or journaling prompts depending on their style and the client’s needs.

At NY Single Mom, our coaches also incorporate tools like assessments, exercises, visualization, or journaling prompts depending on the client’s needs.

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