How to Find the Right Coach (Without Wasting Your Time or Money)

Tammara Gardner
Jul 7
7 min read

If you’re in a season of questioning - rethinking your identity, your purpose, and what you truly want out of life - it’s natural to feel stuck. And if you’ve tried the books, the vision boards, the journaling… and you’re still spinning in circles, working with a coach can be a powerful next step. But how do you choose the right coach for you, especially in a world where anyone with a social media account can call themselves one?

This guide is here to help. Whether you’re considering working with a coach for the first time or you’re looking for a better fit than what you’ve tried before, these tips will empower you to make a confident and aligned decision.

Coaching vs. Therapy: Know What You Need First

Before hiring a coach, get clear on whether coaching is truly what you need, or if therapy might be more appropriate.

Coaching is ideal for those looking to:

* Clarify their purpose

* Set and reach intentional goals

* Cultivate better habits

* Design a fulfilling, values-based lifestyle

* Grow spiritually or explore manifestation

Coaching is not a substitute for treating mental health disorders. If you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or neurological issues, please connect with a licensed mental health professional first.

Once that hurdle is cleared, and you’ve determined that coaching is the right path for you to take, here are some simple steps you can follow to narrow down your search for the best coach to support you in achieving your goals.

Step 1: Clarify Your Objective

Start by asking yourself: What do I want support with?

If you’re not initially sure, don’t worry. Asking yourself a few more questions can help elicit the response. Try these:

* Do I want help creating a whole-life vision, or am I focused on one area (like business,

romance, or spiritual growth)?

* Am I looking for mindset support, practical strategy, or both?

* Do I want someone to help me design a plan or to walk beside me while I implement it?

* How do I want to feel at the end of the coaching experience?

Knowing your desired outcome will help you find a coach who’s aligned with your goals and avoid programs that look good on the surface but don’t deliver what you truly need.

Step 2: Choose the Right Container

“Container” simply refers to how the coaching is delivered. Do you want:

* A single session for clarity on a specific issue?

* A multi-week or multi-month deep dive?

* Private 1:1 sessions or a group coaching environment?

* Live interaction or self-paced videos?

* Virtual convenience or in-person connection?

You’ll get the best results when the format fits your learning style as well as your lifestyle.

Step 3: Vet Their Credentials and Experience

Because the coaching industry is unregulated, you need to be your own advocate when evaluating someone’s credibility. Although it’s ultimately up to you to decide your comfort level, there are a few professional markers of a quality coach to look for and consider:

* Years of coaching experience and client volume

* Published content (books, articles, podcasts)

* Speaking or teaching experience

* Relevant certifications (and the reputation of the certifying organization)

Bottom line: Do your diligence—and trust your gut. What looks great on paper doesn’t always translate into the best coach for you. A newer coach might bring fresh perspective, up-to-date knowledge, or a more hands-on approach, while a more seasoned coach may offer deep experience and a well-tested framework. Neither is inherently better. The key is finding someone whose energy, values, and approach align with what you’re looking for. Choose the coach you feel confident trusting to support your unique path forward.

Step 4: Book a Discovery Call (Don’t Skip This!)

Your coach is someone you’ll be working closely with, possibly sharing your deepest desires and challenges - so

Treat it like a real relationship.

Book a free discovery call or attend a live webinar where you can ask questions. Pay attention to how the coach makes you feel. Ask yourself:

* Do I feel safe, seen, and supported?

* Are they truly listening—or just selling?

* Can I be myself in this space?

And don’t be afraid to “interview” multiple coaches before deciding. This is one of the more important decisions you will make in your life, so have enough interaction with potential candidates that you can make a good choice.

Step 5: Ask for References

If you’re on the fence, considering a large investment, or committing a significant amount of your valuable time, don’t be afraid to ask to speak with a few past clients. Afterall, you would likely ask for referrals when hiring any other type of professional, such as an attorney, mechanic, or doctor. A coach is no different, and you’ll get a much clearer sense of what it’s really like to work with them from their references than from the testimonials they chose to share on their website.

If you do arrange a call with a former client, here are some great questions to ask:

* What was your goal going in, and did you achieve it?

* How did the coach support you?

* Would you hire them again?

If a coach is newer and doesn’t yet have an established base of client referrals, consider the following instead:

Ask for a sample session or trial call. Many newer coaches are willing to offer a low-cost or complimentary session so you can get a feel for their style and presence.

Request testimonials from peers, mentors, or people they’ve worked with informally. While they may not have formal clients yet, they may have supported others through workshops, study groups, or beta programs or be willing to connect you with colleagues from a former profession that can vouch for them.

Check the quality of their content. Explore their blog, social media, videos, or newsletters. Does their message resonate with you? Do they offer value and insight—even in free content?
Trust how you feel when interacting with them. A newer coach may not have dozens of case studies, but if you feel genuinely seen, supported, and energized after speaking with them, that’s a strong indicator of alignment.

Step 6: Consider the Cost—With Discernment

Coaching fees vary widely—from $20 webinars to $20,000 masterminds. But price doesn’t always equal value. One of the best coaching services I ever purchased was a 3-hour webinar that cost me $24. With that training, I achieved a significant goal of building a house 3,000 miles away, moving, and landing a job that allowed me to pay for it. Needless to say, the $24 was well worth it. In contrast, I once considered a multiple $10k investment in a training that I decided not to move forward on, because the coach did not have good references.

As with credentials, you will have to be the judge of what you’re willing to invest in yourself. Coaches are providing a service and do deserve to be appropriately compensated; however, I encourage you to be cautious of:

* High-pressure sales tactics

* Coaches promising overnight transformations

* Programs you can’t afford unless the coach delivers the big results they claim

Instead, set a budget of what you’re willing to spend before screening any potential coaches and stick to the ones in your price range. And when you’re presented an offer, consider:

* Can I afford this with my current financial reality?

* Do they offer a money-back guarantee or payment plan?

* Am I clear on what I’m getting in return?

Coaching is a worthy investment that should be considered carefully. While it is true that many clients do increase their financial abundance through coaching, coaching itself should never feel like a financial gamble.

Bonus Tip: Trust Your Intuition

If the coach’s marketing feels manipulative, if something doesn’t sit right, or if you’re just getting a weird vibe—walk away. The right coach will empower you to make a grounded, sovereign decision. You should never get the slimy, icky feeling that you’re being taken advantage of.

Final Thoughts: Coaching Only Works if You Do

No matter who you choose, coaching is not a magic fix. It’s a partnership. To get results, you’ll need to:

> Show up for sessions

> Do the inner and outer work

> Be patient with your process

When you start to think, feel, and see yourself differently, that’s when the transformation is taking root, and coaching should be considered a success.

Choosing the Right Coach Is Ultimately About Choosing Yourself

At the end of the day, finding the right coach is about finding someone who can hold space for your next evolution—someone who sees your potential clearly, helps you reconnect with your truth, and supports you as you step into your next chapter.

You deserve a guide who respects your pace, honors your story, and empowers you to design a life that truly reflects who you are becoming.

So take your time. Ask questions. Trust your intuition. And know this:

You are worthy of support.

You are worthy of guidance.

And you are worthy of creating a life that feels aligned, grounded, and deeply fulfilling.

Ready to Explore Private Coaching?