The career of life coach or “life coaching” has gained a lot of attention in recent years, and many creatives, managers and entrepreneurs are now collaborating with life coaches to achieve success in their professional and personal lives.

Practitioner Samira Kanan – a behavioral expert in the field of awareness, self-development and trauma therapy – said that the work of a life coach gives a person many skills to clarify his goals and identify obstacles that stand in the way. Success, then come up with strategies to overcome each obstacle.

Speaking to Al-Jazeera’s Mubasher (with Al-Hakim) program, he added that a life coach always seeks to leverage a person’s strengths to achieve long-term change.

According to the World Health Organization, one in every 8 people suffers from a mental disorder, and stress increases the risk of depression and mental illness.

Psychiatric Foundation research indicates that chronic stress can cause changes in the structure of the brain, particularly in the area that supports learning and memory, negatively affecting the immune system and how the brain works.

The foundation released some statistics after a 2018 study found that 12% of people reporting high levels of stress felt the need to respond to their messages immediately.

She said 36% of women felt a lot of stress because of their appearance and body shape, and 49% of 18- to 24-year-olds experienced a lot of stress because of comparing themselves to others.

The report says younger people experience high levels of stress due to pressures to study and succeed.

Commenting on this, Samira Kanan said that there are many signs that indicate the need for a life coach, and these signs include:

• Frequent irritability
• High levels of stress or anxiety
• Inability to break bad habits
• Failure to perform or repeat the treason
• Constant feeling of dissatisfaction at work

She explained that life coaches and other mental health professionals typically focus on healing, treating mental health conditions, and helping people deal with past trauma and other issues.

One of the main benefits of working with a life coach is the ability to gain a new and informed perspective on the issues a person is facing, as well as gaining new insight into challenges and focusing on negative patterns that can stand in the way of success.

One study found that using an individual or group life coach was helpful in reducing procrastination and goal achievement, and a review of studies showed promising results of engaging with life coaches in improving self-efficacy and self-empowerment.

A study published in 2020 in the journal Frontiers and Psychology concluded that interventions based on a review by a psychiatrist or life coach are effective in improving well-being and improving performance with organizations.