Coach Training Portfolio
Postgraduate Diploma in Coaching Psychology
Validated by Leeds Met University (UK) 120 CATs points.
Course Information
Psychological Models Relevant to Coaching
Our programme features 4 main psychological traditions which we believe have particular application and relevance to coaches. These are Person-Centred, Cognitive/Behavioural Psychology, Psychodynamic, and Gestalt.
Key concepts from each of these models are critically examined in terms of their relevance to coaching.
We take the Rogerian 'core conditions' of unconditional positive regard and acceptance, accurate empathic understanding and congruence as the fundamental grounding for establishing an effective coaching relationship.
We look at how thoughts affect feelings and ultimately affect performance and behaviour. Self-limiting belief systems are explored within the context of relevant case examples. We also look at how to work with people’s thinking processes and how to challenge them effectively. This can be a particularly difficult area for many coaches. Within this we discuss the issue of resistance to change and how to understand defence mechanisms. Wider issues of how to coach for behavioural change are also explored.
Key psychodynamic concepts such as transference, counter-transference and parallel process are presented as potential features of the coaching relationship. Links are made with the need for coaches to be in professional supervision to address them on an ongoing basis. Typical executive ‘psychological’ themes are also examined such as the executive with low emotional intelligence, the overworking executive, the conflict averse executive, and the lonely, isolated executive. The thorny problem of the difference between therapy and coaching is discussed. Discussion also takes place about when and where to refer on when necessary.
The Gestalt Cycle, Key Interruptions to Contact [the Gestalt understanding of defence mechanisms] the Phenomenological Approach, the Field Perspective and the Paradoxical Theory of Change are the main theoretical concepts explored from the Gestalt tradition. Introjection and Retroflection are explored as particularly relevant concepts to the coach in terms of dealing with self-critical thought patterns and unfinished business. The importance of working creatively in the here and now and with the skilful use of self as instrument of change are two of the key psychological skill areas strongly based in an humanistic/existential and specifically a Gestalt perspective.
In addition to psychological theory and skill development this programme also addresses the subject of Assessment and reviews a number of leading profiling and test methods such as MBTI and 16PF as well as the value of 360 degree feedback within the coaching process.
Finally, we explore the research literature to discover what this emerging field is discovering about the critical success factors in coaching.
Training team
Peter Bluckert, Lesley Bluckert, Geoff Pelham and Jenny Stacey.
Our Philosophy of Coach Education
The theoretical aspects of coach education are a vital aspect of learning to coach effectively but theory of itself does not produce an excellent coach. Coaching, after all, is a practical activity and any coach training worth its salt must be grounded in sound professional practice. This is why we devote so much attention to our practice/feedback model of coach development. At each workshop you work in trios rotating around the roles of coach, coachee and observer. The feedback and learning from these sessions is often the most significant part of the prgramme for many.
However there is yet another fundamental dimension to advanced coach training and that is the personal development of the coach. We strongly believe that the coach needs a place to address and work through their own issues if they are to operate with the emotional intelligence required of an effective coach. Our coaching psychology diploma pays special attention to this and is a hall-mark of our approach. Finally, we are firm advocates of coaching supervision as essential to good professional practice and build this into our workshop structure.
Note that there are very few Coaching Psychology programmes anywhere in the world at the present time. We appreciate that most international visitors to this site will therefore not have the opportunity to take a programme of this kind. For this reason we are prepared to bring this unique course to you if there is sufficient demand. Email us if you wish to explore this with us.
