A personal perspective on professional coaching and the development of coaching psychology

Abstract

Coaching psychology can be understood as being the systematic application of behavioural science to the enhancement of life experience, work performance and well-being for individuals, groups and organisations who do not have clinically significant mental heath issues or abnormal levels of distress. Although psychologists have long acted as coaches, coaching psychology has only recently emerged as an applied and academic sub-discipline. As coaching psychology continues to grow there will be some exciting challenges from both within and outside of the profession of psychology. First among these there will be the issue of distinguishing the work and professional practices of coaching psychologists from coaches who are not psychologists. Secondly, will be the place of coaching psychology relative to other psychological sub- disciplines, and thirdly will be the development of a research and practice agenda for coaching psychology.