You've probably heard of " life coaches " and "wellness coaches" – individuals who inspire people to shift their behaviors and habits, realize their potential and propel their personal and professional well-being. People often hire life coaches to get advice and guidance on big life decisions.

But before you recruit a professional, there's a catch: They can be expensive. If you're contemplating hiring a life coach, you may be wondering whether professional help is worth investing your time and money.

To help you weigh your options and decide for yourself whether guidance from a professional will help you thrive and achieve your long-term goals , consider these factors.

[See: 7 Habits You Can Learn From Highly Successful Savers .]

Factor in time and pricing. You have the option of working with a life coach continuously or for a limited number of sessions, depending on your needs and budget. According to the website CostHelper.com, which offers information on pricing for various services and products, consumers spend an average of $75 to $200 per hour for a life coach.

Martin Grohman, a business owner in Portland, Maine, and a state representative, hired two life coaches. "Particularly with the second one, Emily Chipman, I felt like I got a good result. It was $2,300 for 10 telephone sessions with assignments in between," Grohman says. "She coached me on what was standing in my way – mentally – in a decision running for higher office, and now I'm doing it."

Know what to expect from each session. You can anticipate helpful advice and a sounding board for the ideas you are thinking about executing. And if you think the life coach you work with is smart and intuitive, you may feel you're getting a lot for your money.

"My life coach is worth her weight in gold," says Liz Funk, a Philadelphia-based co-founder of the fashion startup And We Evolve. "I attribute 50 percent of my success – really, 50 percent – to being able to thoughtfully chart out my goals and be held accountable to them by an expert," Funk says.

Then there's Regina Rodríguez-Martin, a manager at a coworking space in Chicago as well as a culture coach who teaches immigrants American culture. Her luck with life coaches has been on the opposite end of the spectrum. "I hired a life coach about 10 years ago and got little out of it," she says. "My husband at the time also used a life coach and didn't get anything out of it that he could use."

Evaluate how a coach can help guide you to success. Susan Mausteller, a Colchester, Connecticut, resident seeking a master's degree in psychology, says she sought help from a life coach for a variety of challenges, including "a protracted divorce , the loss of a best friend, major surgery, downsizing and moving issues … [and] parenting a complex disabled teen and young adult."

[Read: I Met My Money Goal! How 5 Real People Achieved Their Money Dreams .]

On the other hand, some people choose life coaches to help them run their business. Others hire coaches to develop techniques for becoming more assertive , more confident or less stressed . If there's an area in your life that needs improving, chances are you can probably hire a coach to help you.

Understand the possible outcomes of working with a life coach. Jeanne Achille, CEO of The Devon Group, a public relations firm in New York City, hired a coach in 2014. During telephone sessions, the coach helped Achille focus on her goals, gave her a framework to guide the process and helped Achille stay accountable to the process.

How Money Mistakes Shape Your Future

However, not all life coaches offer the same level of service and expertise, which is why it would be smart to gravitate toward coaches who are credentialed. After all, if you're working with a coach who has been credentialed, you can count on knowing that they've received required training. For example, nonprofits such as the International Coach Federation, the International Association of Coaching and the Center for Credentialing and Education offer training to coaches. Still, it's a wise idea to research their background and experience to ensure you connect with someone with beneficial insight and know-how, based on your needs.

Achille had previously tried working with a coach, and had a less desirable outcome. "It was a horrible experience. He was pompous and dictatorial and went out of his way to comment on my life and business without asking any questions as to why certain things were the way they were," she says.

Chemistry – and mutual respect – is key, Achille says. "The person being coached needs to have confidence in their coach. It's very similar to hiring the right person for a job."

But just as important as trust is finding a life coach who is able to inspire and challenge you to do what you can't do on your own. While you won't want to work with someone like Achille's old life coach, keep in mind you also don't want to hire someone who is always agreeable and like-minded and unable to provide you with interesting advice or motivation.

"A good life coach will push you beyond your comfort zone and challenge your perspectives to help you to grow," Mausteller says.

[See: 15 Little Things That Impact Your Finances .]

Bob Smith, owner of the marketing firm RSA Group in Loves Park, Illinois, says he worked with a life coach to help him lose weight, start a business and build a stronger relationship with his wife. His coach certainly held him accountable, making sure he was accomplishing what he set out to do.

"If I went three weeks without meeting a goal , she threatened to fire me because it made her look bad," Smith says.

7 Deadly Money Sins to Avoid

Compare Offers

Compare Offers