What Happens in a Life Coaching Session?

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Michael Clark, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Everything You’ve Wanted to Know (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Have you ever wondered exactly what happens in a life coaching session but felt too shy or unsure to ask? You’re definitely not alone! Life coaching can feel mysterious or even a bit intimidating if you’re new to it. But don’t worry—today, we’re pulling back the curtain to show you exactly what you can expect from a life coaching session.

Getting Started: The Initial Consultation

Your first session is usually a friendly and relaxed conversation—think of it like having tea with a new friend. This first meeting might take just 30 minutes and serves two purposes: Your coach will want to learn about your goals, your dreams, and what’s currently happening in your life, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and get a feel for your coach’s approach.

This initial meeting helps both of you determine whether you’re a good fit for one another. Trust and openness are foundational in coaching, so feeling comfortable from the start is important.

The Intake Session: Laying the Groundwork

If you decide to move forward, the next step is a dedicated 60-minute intake session. This is where you and your coach begin to dive deeper—exploring your current lifestyle, sources of stress, health habits, obstacles, well-being, motivation, and what you’re hoping to get from coaching.

Using a structured intake questionnaire, you and your coach will explore topics like:
- Your living environment and day-to-day life
- Physical, mental, and emotional well-being
- Time management or procrastination struggles
- Nutrition, sleep, and stress patterns
- Your vision for change and what you hope coaching will bring

This phase isn’t about labeling or rushing into solutions. It’s about understanding you as a whole person. Much like a doctor asks questions before prescribing treatment, your coach needs to fully understand your “symptoms” before designing a coaching plan.

Discovery & Diagnostic Sessions

Following the intake, the first and maybe second sessions often focus on further discovery. This is your space to unpack emotions, explore patterns, and discuss what’s been hurting, holding you back, or keeping you stuck. You might come in thinking one thing is the issue, but discover deeper truths that need attention first.

Your coach listens carefully, looks for patterns, and begins forming a picture of what support, structure, and strategies will best serve you. It’s all about building a coaching foundation rooted in insight—not assumptions—so that when you’re ready to set goals, they’re aligned with what truly matters.

Setting Goals Together

Once that strong foundation is in place, you and your coach will begin setting goals—together. This is a partnership, not a prescription. You’re not being told what to do; you’re being supported in clarifying what you truly want and given tools to help you get there.

You’ll work together to distinguish between internal and external expectations, uncover hidden dreams, and focus on bite-size goals that are measurable and feel meaningful and achievable. This shared clarity helps you stay aligned, track your progress, and celebrate small wins along the way.

Exploring Challenges and Obstacles

Coaching is just as much about identifying what’s getting in the way as it is about setting goals. You and your coach will explore the internal and external challenges that may be holding you back—whether it’s self-doubt, burnout, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or long-standing beliefs that no longer serve you.

Together, you’ll create a safe, nonjudgmental space to bring these patterns to light. With growing awareness comes the ability to shift them, step by step.

Creating an Actionable Plan

As your goals become clearer and your challenges better understood, a path forward begins to emerge. But instead of following a rigid checklist, you and your coach will co-create a flexible and evolving plan—one that fits your life, energy, and pace.

Some weeks may include small, intentional steps. Others may focus more on emotional clarity or reflection. The point is that the plan adapts to you. It’s not about forcing progress—it’s about creating a rhythm that works and can be adjusted as needed.

Accountability and Follow-Up

One of the most powerful parts of coaching is having built-in accountability. Regular sessions help keep you motivated, track your wins, and adjust the plan when life throws curveballs. Your coach celebrates progress, helps you regroup when needed, and stays in your corner through it all. But this isn’t about pressure—it’s about compassionate follow-through and honest partnership.

You and your coach will check in regularly, reflect on your progress, and gently realign when needed. Between sessions, your coach may check in with you or offer email and text support, so if you’re feeling stuck or simply want to share a win, you’re never alone in your process.

Accountability isn’t about keeping score—it’s about being seen, supported, and reminded of your deeper “why” when life gets busy or doubt sets in.

Ending Sessions: Encouragement and Follow-Up Support

Each session wraps up with intention. You and your coach will review what came up, clarify any next steps, and identify areas of focus for the days ahead.

After each session, your coach will send you a personalized follow-up email that includes:
- A recap of the key insights from the session
- Words of encouragement and reflection
- Any agreed-upon homework or practices
- Specific next steps before your next session

These follow-ups help reinforce your momentum, bring clarity between sessions, and remind you that someone is walking alongside you.

Conclusion

Life coaching isn’t a quick fix—it’s a collaborative and compassionate process that evolves with you. Whether you’re navigating a transition, rebuilding your confidence, improving your relationships, or seeking more balance, coaching offers a structured yet flexible way forward.

Curious to see what it’s like? Schedule a free consultation with Michael Clark and experience firsthand how coaching can help you move forward—with clarity, compassion, and confidence.