Life Coaching Coaching Ethics and Professional Standards

Question 1

Which organization is the most widely recognized credentialing body for professional life coaches?

Accepted Answer

International Coaching Federation (ICF)

Answer

American Psychological Association (APA)

Answer

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

Answer

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Question 2

According to ICF ethics, what must a coach do if a client presents an issue beyond the coach's competence?

Accepted Answer

Refer the client to an appropriate professional resource

Answer

Continue coaching and research the topic later

Answer

Charge a lower fee

Answer

Ask the client to find a new coach without explanation

Question 3

What does 'confidentiality' mean in the coaching relationship?

Accepted Answer

Client information is kept private unless there is risk of harm or legal obligation

Answer

The coach shares session details only with paying subscribers

Answer

Confidentiality applies only to group coaching settings

Answer

The coach can share anonymized case studies without consent

Question 4

What is the key ethical distinction between life coaching and psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Coaching focuses on the future and goal achievement, while therapy addresses mental health conditions and past trauma

Answer

Coaching is always more expensive than therapy

Answer

Therapists cannot help with goals, only coaches can

Answer

There is no meaningful distinction between the two

Question 5

According to ICF standards, who owns the agenda in a coaching session?

Accepted Answer

The client

Answer

The coach

Answer

The coaching organization

Answer

The client's employer (in corporate coaching)

Question 6

What is a 'dual relationship' in coaching ethics, and why is it problematic?

Accepted Answer

When the coach has both a professional coaching role and another personal or business relationship with the same client

Answer

When a coach works with two clients simultaneously

Answer

When a client has two coaches at the same time

Answer

When coaching is delivered via two different methods