How to Become a Coach: The Most Common Myths About Becoming a Coach Debunked

Coaching is electric. A single insight can shift a career. One question can open a door to growth. And yet, myths swirl around the profession, misunderstandings that blur the path before you even start.

Forget the myths. At Erickson Coaching International, we’ll show you what coaching truly is.

But it’ll help to unpack the untruths first.

Why Coaching Attracts Myths and Misconceptions

Coaching is new, rapidly growing, and sometimes misunderstood. Unlike regulated professions, information about coaching is scattered online, leading to confusion. Many people also conflate coaching with mentoring or therapy:

• Mentoring draws on personal experience to advise.
• Therapy focuses on healing the past.
• Coaching empowers coachees to discover their own solutions and move forward.

These differences are crucial, and understanding them helps aspiring coaches navigate the profession confidently.

The Most Common Myths About Coaching Debunked

Myth 1: Coaching is Just Giving Advice

Coaching is about asking questions that unlock insight, spark action, and reveal possibilities. Erickson’s solution-focused coaching approach equips coaches to guide coachees toward outcomes they define for themselves.

Myth 2: You Need Years of Psychology Training to Become a Coach

While therapy requires formal psychological education, coaching is distinct. Training from reputable institutions like Erickson provides the skills, tools, and frameworks to coach effectively. No psychology degree required.

Myth 3: Coaching is Not a “Real” Career

The global demand for coaching is growing rapidly. Erickson graduates have built thriving careers internationally, demonstrating that coaching is respected, credible, and increasingly essential across industries.

Myth 4: Only “Naturally Gifted” People Can Become Coaches

Coaching is a skill, not a birthright. Presence, curiosity, and listening can be developed. Through structured training, guided practice, and mentorship, anyone willing to learn can become a confident, effective coach.

Myth 5: Coaching is Only for Struggling People

Coaching isn’t remedial. It supports thriving professionals, leaders, and individuals seeking personal growth. Life coaching, executive coaching, and leadership coaching all help coachees optimize performance, explore potential, and achieve goals.

Myth 6: It’s Too Hard to Start a Coaching Business

Starting a coaching practice can feel daunting, but structured training and professional support make it achievable. Erickson guides new coaches through career pathways, international opportunities, and accreditation, ensuring credibility and clarity as you launch your practice.

How Professional Training Breaks the Myths

Simply put, accredited programs provide confidence. Erickson’s internationally recognized training ensures ethical, professional, and solution-focused practice. Through live sessions, mentor coaching, and practical exercises, new coaches gain the skills to serve coachees globally and build a thriving, sustainable practice. 

Coaching is a credible, rewarding profession. Myths fade fast when you have the right training behind you. At Erickson, you’ll gain the tools, frameworks, and global community to turn potential into practice, and practice into impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the biggest misconceptions about coaching?
  Coaching is not giving advice, not therapy, and not reserved for the “naturally gifted.”
• Is coaching the same as therapy?
  Coaching focuses on future goals and action, while therapy focuses on healing past experiences.
• Do you need a certification to become a life coach?
  While not legally required, certification from accredited programs like Erickson’s builds credibility, confidence, and career opportunities.
• Can anyone become a coach?
  With curiosity, empathy, and the right training, anyone can develop coaching skills and start working with coachees effectively.