“also is it appropriate for a married woman to use a man as a life coach?”
ABSOLUTELY NOT. I know of a case where a girl whent to a MARRIED male therapist and the ramifications were terrible! She’s now married and is STILL struggling. It is a major problem EVEN if there is no physical contact, because, you’re getting emotionally involved. PLEASE. There are many male AND female therapists/life coaches. THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE A MALE TO A FEMALE OR VICE VERSA. I would strongly recommend you ask Daas Torah before doing something like that. Hatzlacha!!