Find Personal Growth Coaching

Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025
Written by the MiResource team

Change is inevitable—but personal growth is intentional. Whether you're facing a transition, feeling stuck, or simply want to become a more fulfilled, empowered version of yourself, personal growth coaching offers a dynamic and customized path forward. Unlike therapy, which often explores the past, coaching focuses on the present and future: who you want to become, what’s holding you back, and how to break through with clarity and confidence.

  • Monik Lopez, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    Monik Lopez

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    1550 Madruga Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33146

    Monik Lopez is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Coral Gables, Florida and has been in practice for 15 years. They treat Personal Growth, Gender Identity, School Concerns.

    The most important relationship you will ever have is the one you have with yourself. If you’re struggling, we’re here to help! Call me anytime

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  • Corinne Sundell, LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

    Corinne Sundell, LMFT

    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

    1114 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, USA, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105

    Corinne Sundell, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has been in practice for 7 years. They treat Personal Growth, Parenting Concerns, Peer Difficulties.

    My job in the therapy office is to support you in re-membering the person you’d like to be, warts and all.

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  • Lisa Johnson, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    Lisa Johnson

    Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    Remote only

    Lisa Johnson is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in undefined, undefined. They treat Personal Growth, Relationship(s) with Parents/Children/Family, Loneliness/Isolation.

    Therapist + prescriber offering virtual mental health services, ADHD testing & meds for college students & adults. 100% Virtual, Evening & weekend hours.

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  • Alyssa Austern, Psychologist

    Alyssa Austern

    Psychologist

    Remote only

    Alyssa Austern is a Psychologist in Chatham, New Jersey. They treat Personal Growth, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conflict Resolution.

    Hello! I'm Dr. Alyssa Austern and I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in couples and family therapy, as well as individual therapy across the lif

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  • Emily Porter, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    Emily Porter

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    910 Broad St, Durham, North Carolina 27705

    Emily Porter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Durham, North Carolina and has been in practice for 11 years. They treat Personal Growth, Racial Identity, Peer Difficulties.

    I create a space that is warm and accepting as we collaborate toward your therapy goals. *I am in-nework with Duke Student Health Insurance

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  • Christopher Deviney, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    Christopher Deviney

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

    4909 Waters Edge Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606

    Christopher Deviney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Raleigh, North Carolina and has been in practice for 6 years. They treat Personal Growth, Personal Growth, Depression.

    I welcome all clients seeking to work together towards a better tommorow, one day at a time.

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What is the difference between life coaching and personal growth coaching?

Though the terms often overlap, there are distinct differences between life coaching and personal growth coaching in focus and approach:

  • Life coaching tends to address broad goals such as career transitions, relationships, productivity, or wellness routines.
  • Personal growth coaching dives deeper into the internal landscape: mindset shifts, emotional intelligence, motivation, identity, and long-term purpose.

Where a life coach may help you land your dream job, a personal growth coach helps you understand what you truly want, why you’re holding yourself back, and how to build sustainable confidence from the inside out.

Both approaches can be transformative, and many life coaching therapy programs integrate personal growth as a core focus.


How is coaching different from therapy or counseling?

Understanding the distinction between coaching and therapy is key when deciding what kind of support you need.

Coaching:

  • Oriented toward goals and future growth
  • Focuses on strategy, accountability, and action
  • Typically does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions
  • Designed for functioning individuals who want to optimize their life or overcome specific challenges
  • Often uses structured sessions with assignments, planning, and mindset tools

Therapy:

  • Oriented toward healing and emotional insight
  • Focuses on past trauma, mental health diagnoses, and behavioral change
  • Licensed mental health professionals are qualified to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD
  • Suitable for individuals experiencing distress, dysfunction, or clinical symptoms

In some cases, individuals may benefit from both. For example, someone working with a self improvement therapist may also hire a personal growth coach to focus on habit change or future planning once they’ve stabilized emotionally.


Who can benefit from life or personal growth coaching?

You don’t have to be in crisis—or even struggling—to benefit from coaching. In fact, some of the most common clients of personal growth coaching are high-functioning individuals who feel they’re not living up to their full potential.

Coaching is ideal for people who:

  • Feel stuck in a rut and unsure why
  • Want to develop greater self-awareness and motivation
  • Are transitioning through life changes (career, divorce, relocation, identity)
  • Struggle with procrastination, perfectionism, or fear of failure
  • Have goals but keep sabotaging themselves
  • Want more confidence in relationships or leadership
  • Are seeking therapy for self-improvement rather than clinical healing
  • Are exploring values, purpose, or alignment

The best candidates for coaching are curious, open to feedback, and willing to take responsibility for their growth—with the help of a guide who challenges and supports them.


What kinds of goals can I work on with a coach?

A personal growth coach can help you turn vague intentions into measurable, meaningful progress. Some common goal areas include:

Personal Development

  • Building self-confidence
  • Breaking bad habits or creating new routines
  • Overcoming self-doubt or imposter syndrome
  • Enhancing emotional intelligence
  • Developing resilience and adaptability

Career and Purpose

  • Navigating a career pivot
  • Improving leadership or communication skills
  • Clarifying life purpose and direction
  • Balancing ambition with well-being
  • Launching a business or creative venture

Relationships

  • Improving communication and boundaries
  • Navigating dating, marriage, or breakups
  • Rebuilding self-worth after toxic dynamics
  • Cultivating deeper friendships or intimacy

Health and Lifestyle

  • Creating sustainable fitness or nutrition habits
  • Building a morning routine or sleep schedule
  • Reducing stress and increasing mindfulness
  • Strengthening spiritual or value-based practices

You don’t need to arrive with a fully formed goal. A skilled coach will help you clarify what you want—and what’s been blocking you from getting there.


Can coaching help with issues like low self-esteem or lack of purpose?

Yes. While chronic low self-esteem may require deeper therapeutic work, many individuals benefit from coaching that focuses on building confidence through action. Rather than diving into childhood wounds, coaching helps you take present-moment steps to prove your own worth to yourself.

Coaches use tools to help you:

  • Identify negative self-talk and limiting beliefs
  • Reframe failure as feedback
  • Set and celebrate small wins
  • Align your actions with your values
  • Define success on your own terms

If you’re feeling disconnected from your purpose, personal growth coaching can also help you explore meaning and motivation. Through assessments, deep questioning, and strategic planning, your coach will help you clarify what really matters—and how to live in alignment with it.


What happens in a typical coaching session?

A typical personal growth coaching session lasts 45–60 minutes and is highly conversational. Sessions are usually structured as follows:

  1. Check-in: How are you feeling? Any wins or roadblocks since the last session?
  2. Clarify the focus: What’s today’s priority topic or goal?
  3. Deep dive: Explore patterns, thoughts, behaviors, and perspectives
  4. Co-creation: Brainstorm strategies, tools, or mindset shifts
  5. Action planning: Decide what you’ll practice or implement before the next session
  6. Close: Set intentions, note insights, and confirm next steps

Between sessions, your coach may offer:

  • Reflection prompts or journaling exercises
  • Accountability check-ins
  • Progress tracking tools
  • Feedback on real-time situations.

How long does it take to see progress with a coach?

While every individual’s growth timeline is different, many clients notice positive changes within 3–6 sessions. These may include:

  • Improved clarity and confidence
  • Better decision-making
  • New habits or routines
  • Reduced overwhelm
  • Increased energy and motivation

Longer-term coaching (3–6 months or more) is ideal for complex goals or deeper transformation. This allows you to:

  • Reinforce new behaviors
  • Sustain mindset shifts
  • Navigate setbacks with support
  • Align your life with your core values

Coaching isn’t a quick fix—but it can accelerate results when paired with commitment and follow-through.


Are coaching sessions structured or customized?

Most coaches offer a flexible structure that adapts to your needs. A well-rounded coaching program may include:

  • An initial intake session or discovery call
  • Goal-setting exercises and vision mapping
  • Weekly or biweekly sessions
  • Email or message support between sessions
  • Customized tools like habit trackers, assessments, or progress logs

Whether you prefer a highly structured plan or a more fluid, exploratory approach, a good coach will adjust their methods to meet your pace and personality.

Find care for you

Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.

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