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Career & Life Coaching in Cayce

Career & Life Coaching in Columbia

Cayce has 19 businesses offering career and life coaching, and the range is wide. Some work strictly on job search strategy: resumes, interview prep, salary negotiation, career pivots. Others focus on broader life coaching: habits, confidence, relationship patterns, decision-making when someone feels stuck. A number blend the two, since career stress and personal life rarely stay in separate lanes.

This isn't therapy, even though good coaches understand when a client needs a referral to a licensed counselor instead. A coach's job is forward-looking: setting goals, building a plan, and holding you accountable to it session by session. There's no license required to call yourself a "life coach," which is exactly why vetting matters more here than in most helping professions.

What to check before booking

  • A clear specialty (career transition, executive coaching, general life coaching) rather than a vague "I help with everything" pitch
  • Actual coaching credentials (ICF or similar) or a documented track record, since certification isn't legally mandatory
  • A defined process: how many sessions, what happens between them, how progress gets measured
  • Straight talk about cost and cancellation policy before you commit to a package

We score Cayce's 19 providers on responsiveness, client feedback, credentials, and consistency over time, not just star averages. See the full breakdown in our ranked guide to Cayce counselors and coaches, and read how we build those scores in our methodology.

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All career & life coaching in Cayce, ranked by score and relevance

We found 19 businesses offering career & life coaching in Cayce; 16 met the criteria for the scored directory. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is career & life coaching, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist.

Duncan Howe, Counselor
#1
79

Duncan Howe, Counselor

4.7(23)✓ Google-verified

Reviewers consistently describe Duncan as a skilled, attentive listener who creates a calm space to open up. Most report quick scheduling and practical takeaways like mindfulness techniques. One concern: initial front desk interactions can feel cold, though Duncan himself offsets this with warmth. His practice spans anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and panic attacks. Staff are noted as professional. He coordinates referrals to psychiatrists when needed. The therapist-client fit appears strong across reviews spanning over a year.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Michelle Whitlow-Blanding, Counselor
#2
79

Michelle Whitlow-Blanding, Counselor

5.0(10)✓ Google-verified

People consistently describe Michelle as warm, attentive, and genuinely committed to their healing. Sessions feel safe and productive, with flexible scheduling that respects individual needs.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Nancy Winston, Counselor
#3
77

Nancy Winston, Counselor

5.0(13)✓ Google-verified

Nancy Winston builds comfort and connection quickly, listening carefully and helping clients set achievable goals without rushing through sessions. She offers individual, couples, and family therapy in person or by phone, though some find the no-show fees steep and the Summerville office hard to reach by phone.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Debbie Maxwell, Counselor
#4
76

Debbie Maxwell, Counselor

4.8(13)✓ Google-verified

Debbie Maxwell earns strong marks for being approachable and practical. Most reviewers praise her knowledge, techniques they can use between sessions, and her compassion when handling anxiety, grief, and trauma. One reviewer noted she can push too hard too fast with new trauma clients without first understanding what works for that individual, leading to resistance rather than progress.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingGrief & Trauma Counseling
Karen M Smith, Counselor
#5
70 low data

Karen M Smith, Counselor

5.0(6)✓ Google-verified

Karen Smith earns consistent praise for her calm manner and real-world advice grounded in experience rather than textbook solutions. Clients report meaningful breakthroughs with grief, relationships, and life stress. Review evidence is limited to six responses, all five-star, so depth on specific outcomes and limitations is sparse.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingGrief & Trauma CounselingCareer & Life Coaching

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Erica Whitaker, Counselor
#6
70 low data

Erica Whitaker, Counselor

5.0(4)✓ Google-verified

Reviewers consistently describe Erica Whitaker as caring, genuine, and skilled at making new clients feel instantly comfortable. Sessions leave people feeling better, with strong rapport evident even at the first appointment.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Jenkins Simply Said Counseling Service, LLC
#7
69 low data

Jenkins Simply Said Counseling Service, LLC

5.0(19)✓ Google-verifiedPublishes prices

LaRaine Jenkins earns universal five-star ratings over years. Clients describe feeling heard, safe, and supported through major life changes. Her straightforward style, sense of humor, and genuine care help people-especially anxious introverts and children-open up and make progress.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingGrief & Trauma Counseling
Valentine Baptiste-Thomas, Counselor
#8
68 low data

Valentine Baptiste-Thomas, Counselor

4.8(4)✓ Google-verified

Valentine Baptiste-Thomas builds strong rapport with clients and delivers solid counseling experiences. One scheduling hiccup noted, but overall reception is warm and supportive.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Robert Karpe, Counselor
#9
68 low data

Robert Karpe, Counselor

5.0(3)✓ Google-verified

Robert Karpe brings a relaxed, caring style to therapy. Reviewers consistently mention his patience, humor, and ability to make them feel comfortable discussing difficult topics while prompting genuine reflection.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingGrief & Trauma Counseling
LaToya Edwards, Counselor
#10
67 low data

LaToya Edwards, Counselor

5.0(9)✓ Google-verified

One reviewer described her year of therapy as life-changing and credited LaToya Edwards with addressing multiple areas of her life. Another noted a friendly, welcoming office inside the Bank of America building, though location signage could be clearer.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Tasha Cowan, Counselor
#11
65 low data

Tasha Cowan, Counselor

5.0(1)✓ Google-verified

One reviewer found scheduling straightforward. Limited review data, so this profile reflects only that single five-star report.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Heather Gates, Counselor
#12
65 low data

Heather Gates, Counselor

5.0(2)✓ Google-verified

Heather Gates is praised for creating a welcoming, judgment-free environment where both adults and children feel heard and safe. Review evidence is limited (based on 2 five-star ratings), but mentions her professional approach and range across individual and family work.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingGrief & Trauma Counseling
Michelle Benson, Counselor
#13
64 low data

Michelle Benson, Counselor

5.0(3)✓ Google-verified

Limited review evidence, but sessions with Michelle Benson are marked by calm surroundings and a therapist who listens carefully and teaches concrete skills for managing emotions and day-to-day stress.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Lynn Gilderhus, Counselor
#14
57 low data

Lynn Gilderhus, Counselor

5.0(5)✓ Google-verified

Perfect five-star rating across five Google reviews suggests strong client satisfaction, though limited review detail prevents deeper insight into specific strengths or concerns.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingGrief & Trauma CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Rachel Brewster, Counselor
#15
29 low data

Rachel Brewster, Counselor

No rating yet✓ Google-verified

Review evidence is limited. The business states it provides individual and family therapy, ADHD and anxiety treatment, and trauma support. Rachel Brewster holds an LPC credential and operates 7 days a week in Cayce.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching
Racquel Sims, Counselor
#16
27 low data

Racquel Sims, Counselor

No rating yet✓ Google-verified

Not enough recent reviews yet to synthesise a reliable sentiment read for this business.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching

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Common questions about career & life coaching

How much does career or life coaching cost in Cayce?
Rates typically run $75 to $200 per session for individual coaches, with many offering package pricing for 4 to 8 sessions at a discount. Executive or specialized career coaching tends to sit at the higher end of that range.
How many sessions does it usually take?
A focused goal, like resume and interview prep for a specific job search, might wrap up in 3 to 5 sessions. Broader life or career-transition coaching often runs 8 to 12 sessions over a few months, since it involves building and testing new habits, not just a one-time plan.
What should a first session look like?
Expect the coach to ask about your goals, past attempts to reach them, and what's gotten in the way. A good first session ends with a rough plan and a way to measure progress, not just a sympathetic conversation.
How do I know if a coach is any good?
Look for specifics: a stated methodology, client outcomes they can describe concretely, and a willingness to tell you if coaching isn't the right fit for your situation. Vague promises of transformation without a clear process are a red flag.

Last updated 2026-08-17