Ask Dr. Bush: Who is your ideal client?
Whenever you enter a new profession, there are always questions and each school has their own culture. So to help you get to know us better and for us to learn how we can best help you, I will periodically run an Ask Dr. Bush question and answer blog post.
I would like to make this blog a little more interactive by addressing specific questions that you, my readers, prospective students, students and graduates have. Do you have a question for me about Christian coaching or counseling or any of the courses? This is your opportunity to ask me what's on your mind.
Here is what the new Ask Dr. Bush posts will look like:
QUESTION
Dear Dr. Bush,
I am really interested in becoming a professional Christian life coach because I love to help others. I have read from your website that as the coaching profession is maturing, generalist coaches are not as much in demand as specialists. So in order to decide what direction I should take my practice, could you tell me how to know who I should work with?
Jay Brown / Minneapolis, MN
ANSWER
Hi Jay,
Thanks for asking. This is an important question because so often people enter coaching without having given this much thought.
However, I will say that probably 50-75% of our students aren’t sure about the precise direction they will take on graduation and that’s perfectly fine and probably even good. When you begin with a blank slate, you can be more flexible and open to the Lord’s leading for your life.
This is why the first 4 weeks of your CCLC/CPLC coaching course is about YOU, and your life. (This is a dual-certification course and the CCLC refers to Certified Christian Life Coach and CPLC refers to Certified Professional Life Coach. Dual certification course means that you receive TWO certifications for taking one course.)
The first 4 modules of the coaching course help you to hone in on how God has pre-wired you and your experiences, so that you have a much clearer idea on how you will use coaching in your life and who your ideal client may be. It is also a time when God works with you to further optimize the gifts He has given you.
You may have already participated in personal inventories and surveys to determine your aptitude and gifts. This is an opportunity to revisit your personal life experiences, education, interests, goals, aspirations and passions and is highly valued by each of our students. It is a time to draw closer to God, listen and pray for insight, discernment and wisdom. Done correctly, this is a transformational time like no other where lives are changed and aligned with God’s plan for them.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.” ~ Jer. 29:11
The CCLC/CPLC course is offered as an online version as well as a Premier version with your own Master Christian Life Coach to guide you and personalize the course for you. Historically, the most successful graduates are those who took the Premier version because of the high level of personalization, coaching and mentoring that happens. The Master coach trainers at this academy are those I have personally trained and hand-picked to work with our students. They have many years of experience as a coach and a trainer. And, I always pray about the trainer assignment to make sure you get the perfect trainer for your needs.
That said, the curriculum offered for the online and Premier versions is the same. The difference is whether you complete the course independently or with a trainer.
During the first 4 modules you experience Christian coaching personally in the purest sense, because it has been proven that it’s difficult if not impossible to take others where you have not been. Here you experience coaching before you coach others.
On your training journey, you will discover that folks from all walks of life work with professional Coaches toward achieving their goals. Christian Life Coaches work with people in all areas of their lives on topics including faith matters, relationships, healthy living, career options, finances, etc.
" ... it’s difficult if not impossible to take others where you have not been." ~ Leelo Bush PhD
But let me say that working with a Coach is not limited to a particular type of issue or person. And not everyone is a candidate for coaching but that’s a discussion for another time.
Coaching is truly best for those who are willing to become more accountable so that they can achieve their goals faster. They are committed to more fulfilled lives and are willing to do the work required to get there.
If someone thinks things are fine in their life, even though others see things are clearly not going well, they are not yet ready for coaching. In the CCLC/CPLC course, you will learn the 3 indisputable criteria to determine whether someone is coachable. This will save you time and frustration as you are easily able to discern who is ready to work with you and who is not.
Have a question for me?
Please email me at drldbush@pccca.org with “Ask Dr. Bush” in the subject line and I will do my best to answer as many of your questions as possible as space and time allows. So if you have a question, don’t wait. Write me today!
Need to get certified?
Thousands of students will confirm that you are in the perfect place to get the training you need to help your clients as well as learn how to reach those that God has led you to help.
Many of our courses offer dual certifications. You will find the courses currently available listed at https://pccca.org/courses/ Yes, when you take one course, you receive two certifications. This way you have a credential that will be recognized wherever you have an opportunity to work, whether it is a business or church/ministry type of setting.
New this year: Now we also have course bundles to help you save on tuition. These are courses that are typically purchased together. You can find them at: https://pccca.org/course-bundles/
Just click the button above to select your course, enroll and begin today. Why not get certified before the end of the year so you can begin your practice in January?
PS You may be wondering why many of our students pay for their courses in full. The reason is that when you do, you can request FULL access to your course so you can do it at your own pace, as quickly as you like. Otherwise you may have to wait a week to a month for your next module, depending on the course. Most students are excited to get prepared to serve their clients.
