The difference between an NLP coach and, say, a life coach, is that NLP gives you a whole extra set of tools.

If you're a life coach, then you'll be skilled at keeping your client on track, helping them focus on the detail of what they really want, and making sure they make progress towards their goal.

But what happens if you encounter a limiting belief? Or an old habit that willpower alone just can't seem to break?

That's where NLP coaching comes in.

The NLP toolkit includes everything from belief changes and time line therapy to hypnosis and fast phobia cure.

Whilst it should never be used (without requisite qualifications) in a therapeutic sense, it can allow you to go much further with a client than standard coaching.

The benefits of being a Master Practitioner

We strongly recommend that anyone wishing to practise as an NLP coach gets qualified to NLP Master Practitioner level first.

Why?

Because it gives you access to the full NLP toolkit. Also, your rapport skills and language skills will be much more developed than at NLP Practitioner level, so you'll be able to work more effectively with your client.

NLP Practitioner training takes you to a level of competency where you can use NLP as part of your day-to-day job or relationships, but not one where you should be charging for your services.

Quite simply, the extra 20-or-so days of training at Master Practitioner level make a huge difference to your skill level.

If you come across a major blockage with a client, wouldn't you rather have the advanced tools in your toolbag?

What do you reckon your clients would prefer?

If I'm a Master Practitioner, do I have to do more training?

Probably, yes...

Master Practitioner will give you most of the skills you need for coaching. But you'll need to supplement this with some coaching-specific training if you want to get accredited as a coach.

It's also a chance for you to meet other people in a similar position, which will give you a support network.

A good course will cover the differences between NLP and coaching and should also provide you with a framework for setting up your coaching practice. That's got to be worth a few more days' investment, surely?

After all, it doesn't matter how great a coach you are if nobody's interested in your marketing and you have no clients...

Two courses that we recommend are:

	The International NLP Trainers' Association recently launched a formal NLP coaching course. It includes the original content for Practitioner and Master Practitioner. Contact them for more details.

	NLP Coaching Training David Shephard and the Performance Partnership team run an excellent 3-day conversion course for "NLPers". His advice on pricing strategy is worth the course fee alone!

Next: More about coaching - what is coaching?