You are sitting in a row boat in the middle of a dark, wide river. Hearing a powerful torrent ahead, you search frantically for the oars, or anything, to guide you away from the unseen dangers ahead. Suddenly you wake up sweating, gasping, panicking.

Freudian analysts might say the dream symbolises lack of control, but practitioners of the latest personal and professional growth movement to hit these shores - life coaching - wouldn't analyse the dream at all. Coaches use a practical, goal-oriented approach to help you row your "life boat" gently down the stream.

Money and family matters are the main topics clients initially wish to address when they attend a life coach, says a spokeswoman from British-based Coach University. One of the largest coach-training institutes, Coach U. has already trained several Irish nationals.

Examination of a typical life coach's client roster may reveal individuals who want to make more money, spend more time with their partners and children, get rid of debts or the feeling that they are trapped in a job they hate by the mortgage, school fees and car loans.

Improving your personal finances may be just one step to living the life you have always wanted, says Ms Moira Downey, a Dublin-based accountant and consultant turned coach. However, life coaching is about addressing the whole person and often a conversation about finances leads to exploration of a client's professional and personal satisfaction levels, she says.

"Sometimes it's not really about money but maybe the financial issues are draining them. A lot of people spend on `wants' because they're unhappy, but when they tackle their `needs' they find they're spending less," says Ms Downey.

Unlike therapy, life coaching begins where the person is now and envisions where they would like to be in a certain period of time. Ms Downey, who received her training from Coach University, asks clients to fill out a brief questionnaire. It is divided into four categories: money, relationships, physical environment and well-being.

"You look at all areas of your life," says Ms Downey. The questionnaire helps you identify your values then the coach examines them with you to assist in setting goals to achieve them, she said.

Some sample statements in the money category are: "I currently save at least 10 per cent of my income," and, "I pay my bills on time, virtually always," and "My investments do not keep me up at night." Although the statements may seem basic, they attempt to address potentially stressful aspects of a client's life, allowing them to identify the real, and not imagined, areas needing improvement.

"We put a large emphasis on reserves of space, time, love and money. For example, we look at ways for clients to earn more money and cut down on expenses," she says.

Following an initial meeting and assessment with the coach, the client sets up regularly scheduled meetings. The number of sessions depends on the client's goals and progress. These 30 to 60-minute talks take place in person at the coach's office or over the phone. Some coaches also use email and the Internet. In the Republic, face-to-face meetings seem more popular although some busy executives opt for the phone.

Clients are given homework to complete before the next session. For example, if the coach and client have identified a problem through the well-being statement - "I do not smoke tobacco or other substances" - the client may be asked to write down why they wanted a cigarette and how they felt about it afterwards.

In the Republic the cost of coaching ranges between £30 (€38) and £100 (€127) per hour with most coaches running 30 to 60 minute sessions. Ms Downey charges £60£80 a month for four 30-minute personal coaching sessions.

Every coach uses their own assessment and feedback system although many are based on suggestions from the university or individual under which they trained.

The Prosper Group, based in Ranelagh, uses techniques based on the teachings of Dr Denis Waitley, a US personal and career development expert.

The Prosper Group is a management development and training company focusing on the upper end of the market or executives and professionals. Most of their clients are successful business people who want to reach their full potential by addressing career issues such as performance, time management and focus.

"We're not marriage counsellors or therapists," says Prosper's Mr Jonathan Bell. "We're here to get things done that people want to do themselves. We don't say this is what you should do, we say what do you want to do? People have the solutions, we're the catalyst."

Prosper's Executive Gold Service costs £1,395 for an eight-week programme incorporating a one-day seminar, a diagnostic and personal report, four 60-minute one-to-one sessions, four 30 minute tele-coaching sessions and one 60-minute one-to-one follow up session.

The Executive Silver Service is a six-week programme costing £995. It consists of Dr Waitley's six "Winning for Life" tape and workbook set, a diagnostic and personal report, three 60-minute one-to-one sessions, three 30 minute tele-coaching sessions, one 30-minute follow-up tele-session.

Although the business focuses on providing executive coaching services, there are some private clients. "As people get older they have a lot going on. Thirty to 35-plus is where it really starts to kick in - they're looking for strategies for financial independence. For some people it's about setting the bigger picture," says Mr Bell.

"We're not financial advisers. We might ask them to do some basic financial stuff like expenditures and budgeting to enhance the clarity around the problem," he said. From there, they may be referred to an accountant, solicitor or financial adviser depending on their needs. Private clients usually address their issue of concern in a few sessions.

Coaches: Ms Moira Downey, Coach and Consultant, (01) 454 2505. Mr Sean Weafer/Mr Jonathan Bell, Prosper Group (01) 491 3700.