Advice about your life – who can you trust? It’s a vital question in a world overflowing with people offering guidance, coaching, and support for personal issues.

Today, advice comes from two broad sources. Some is free, often provided by people paid through charities, government agencies, or accessed via medical channels. Others are professionals—counsellors, therapists, coaches, and mentors—offering their services for a fee, sometimes a hefty one.

But how do you know who’s truly helpful? How can you tell if someone is worth your time and money?

The answer: trust yourself. But to do that, you’ll need to do some preparation first.

Trust Yourself First

Before entering any coaching or therapeutic relationship, remember this is a business agreement. You’re paying for a service that deeply affects your personal life. That’s why the basic business principle applies here too: only work with people you know, like, and trust.

Do Your Research

Start by learning about the person. Check their website. If they run a support group—like a Facebook group—join and observe. Are they sincere, respectful, and knowledgeable?

Next, ask for testimonials from past clients. Look for names, photos, and real details. Don’t hesitate to ask if you can speak to a former client, or at least email them, for genuine feedback.

Understand the Process

You deserve to know what kind of techniques or approaches they use. Working through life challenges often brings up painful past experiences. This can be emotional and unsettling. The more you understand the process, the more prepared you’ll be.

Ask your potential coach or therapist to explain their approach in detail. Then take time to research the methods they mention—on Google, in books, or at your local library.

When it comes to advice about your life, who can you trust? Always begin by trusting your instincts, and back them up with research and questions.

Love,
Jean

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