Coaching Psychology: Collaborative Solution-Focused And Systematic Process

Coaching psychology is “a collaborative solution-focused, results oriented and systematic process in which the coach facilitates the enhancement of work performance, life experience, self-directed-learning and personal growth of the coachee” (Grant, 2001). Cognitive Behavioural Coaching (CBC) is “an integrative approach that combines the use of cognitive, behavioural, imaginal and problem-solving techniques and strategies within a cognitive behavioural framework to enable clients to achieve their realistic goals […], improving performance, increasing psychological resilience, enhancing well-being, preventing stress and helping to overcome blocks to change” (Palmer & Szymanska, 2007). Collaboration is an essential feature in coaching for dealing
According to Grant and Palmer (2002), “coaching psychology is for enhancing wellbeing and performance in personal life and work domains with normal, non-clinical populations, underpinned by models of coaching grounded in established adults learning or psychological approaches”. Cognitive behavioural coaching (CBC) is derived from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT was developed by Joseph Wolpe in 1950s, in which he combined the elements in Beck’s Cognitive Therapy with Ellis’ Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy between others. Cognitive Behavioural approaches put an emphasis on the reaction to events which is determined by our view of them, and not by the events themselves (Neenan & Palmer, 2001). CBC also has the basis that the understanding that feelings and behaviours are directly affected by the way a person thinks. This style of thinking enhances the raise of emotional distress caused by unrealistic thought patterns that ends causing the person emotional distress. To reduce this emotional distress CBC proposes altering the unrealistic thought patterns and change the inappropriate behaviours. Hence, it searches, through collaborative activity, for facilitating a time limited, goal directed and present focussed process, and to help clients to reach and find their own solutions in order to develop and acquire their stress resilience. CBC aims to help clients’ way of
From my point of view as a future psychologist this is one of the pillars every psychologist should have; knowing how to deal with the client’s problems and helping him/her to know himself/herself better is helping a person to grow, to discover who he/she is and that’s one of the most beautiful things you can do as a psychologist. In terms of stress management I believe that nowadays CBC is really valuable, since this approach is helping both cognitively and behaviourally the client to shift from chaos to a problem solving structured way. Another strong point in CBC and stress management is the Socratic approach which guides the coachee to discover how to solve his/her problems on his/her own. Guidance and not simply providing an answer to the patient is useful because as unique individuals we are there is not a unique solution for all of us. This also builds confidence between the coach and coachee whilst going through this difficult process of change. I think that one of the most strong points of CBC is found in models such as ABCDE or PRACTICE where the qualities of the person are highlighted for overcoming difficulties and enhancing well-being in