21 Insightful Intake Questions & a Free Life Coaching Intake Form PDF

A pre-coaching questionnaire is an important tool to streamline your onboarding process and qualify prospective clients.

Your intake process will help you do far more than gather contact information and keep a record of personal information…

A great intake questionnaire will help you:

• Ensure that your coaching services are a good fit for new clients
• Gather key information about prospective clients’ needs and goals
• Gain insight into their current mindset to tailor your approach for the best results
• Provide a more thorough, intentional coaching experience
• Save time and energy by pre-qualifying clients for your programs

Your intake form is really the first step of your coaching process, and helps you create the most transformative experience possible!

But what questions can you ask to ensure you’re getting the information you need?

Here are 21 of the most insightful questions you can include on your coaching intake form. (Or, click here to download a free life coaching intake form PDF!)

21 Intake Questions for Life Coaching

1. What do you hope to achieve by working with a coach?
By understanding this, you can determine whether they are a best fit for the transformation you offer.

2. Why are you looking for a coach now?
Sometimes people seek coaching services when they should really be looking for a therapist, consultant, or mentor. Asking this question will clarify their needs and ensure they choose the right kind of support.

3. What is your biggest challenge right now?
Knowing what they’re struggling with will give you ideas on how you can best support them.

4. If you could wave a magic wand and change one aspect of your life instantly, what would it be?
This question encourages clients to identify their most desired change without limitations.

5. How willing/committed are you to invest in creating the results you want?
Usually low motivation or commitment signals that they won’t seriously consider investing into support for their journey of transformation.

6. Where are you on your coaching journey? Have you worked with a life coach before (if yes, how was the experience)?
This will help draw out their pain points and give you context about their previous life coach relationships.

7. In terms of change, what have you already tried that hasn’t worked?
This will help you understand their journey up until this point and allow you to position your programs as different from what they’ve done before.

8. What do you believe you must do / who do you believe you must become in order to get the results you want?
This question helps identify potential limiting beliefs and blocks that may be keeping them from achieving success.

9. What qualities do you currently possess that will help you achieve the result you want?
This helps them begin to identify potential strengths and abilities they may already have. These can be resources for the client and helpful points of reference throughout the coaching process.

10. If money was no object, what would you love to do, be, or create?
This question gets straight to the heart of what matters most to your clients, regardless of what limitations they may perceive in their lives right now.

11. What values and beliefs are essential to you?
This question will help you understand the client’s core values, which can guide their decision-making and actions.

12. How would you feel if you lived the same way you are now for the rest of your life?
This will give you insight on some of their current experiences, as well as how they perceive their circumstances and conditions.

13. If you had a time machine, what advice would you give your younger self?
This question promotes reflection and self-compassion. The answer may also identify past struggles that can be remedied moving forward.

14. If your life were a book, what would the title be? Would it have a happy ending?
This question fosters creativity and encourages clients to think metaphorically about their life journey and its meaning.

15. What are your sources of motivation and inspiration?
The answer to this question indicates sources of inspiration that can be harnessed during coaching.

16. What fears or limiting beliefs do you believe might be holding you back?
This will help you identify and address any limiting beliefs that may hinder progress. The answer also offers insight into the client’s beliefs about what is impacting their success.

17. What kind of support systems do you have in your life?
With this question, you can assess the client’s support network and explore opportunities for additional support.

18. How would you describe your level of spirituality?
When you ask this question, you get an idea of how to approach the client about spiritual principles. This will help you assess whether the client is a good fit for the level of spirituality you use in your coaching.

19. Imagine your ideal day from morning to night. What would you be doing, and how would you feel?
This encourages clients to visualize their ideal day to gain insights into their aspirations and values. This is the beginning of identifying what they would love.

20. What does “success” mean to you?
Not everyone understands success in the same way. Success can refer to physical health, mental clarity, meaningful relationships, and many other aspects of life. Knowing the client’s motivation and dream will help you connect with them.

21. What do you want to learn or accomplish in this program so that you know it was a total success? This will help you tailor your approach to make sure you’re addressing their primary challenges and needs. 

Download it Now! Life Coaching Intake Form PDF

This free PDF download will give you a great resource to use in your own coaching practice. Afterall, the more you know about your ideal client, the easier it will be to find them!

In addition to the questions above, the PDF includes a section for general client information. We recommend having clients sign a more comprehensive coaching agreement if and when they begin work with you. 

Click here to download your copy now!

DISCLAIMER: This document is a sample that may or may not be suitable for your situation or your jurisdiction. Please consult an attorney for advice on customizing this for your specific needs. Use this sample agreement at your own risk.