CPD for Coaches and ConsultantsCoaching Supervision7 Compelling Reasons for Coaching Supervision- The first issue concerns diagnosis of conditions which have a greater psychological complexity e.g. broader personality issues, addictions and so on. Whilst these are rare, they do crop up from time to time in executive clients. Most coaches do not have the background or experience to diagnose these conditions or the skills and knowledge of what to do if they are confronted by them.
- Similarly it is often unclear just when it would be best to refer a coaching client for counselling/psychotherapy. Indeed the coach may lack knowledge of where to refer people to - for example in a complex bereavement situation which is clearly affecting performance.
- Coaching will inevitably raise issues within the coach him/herself from time to time. Issues in the client may well trigger similar unresolved problems in the coach. This may well affect the coach's capacity to work clearly.
- Supervision in counselling and therapeutic contexts will often focus on transference and counter transference relationship themes. It is not unusual for similar issues to arise within the coaching relationship also.
- Beyond the above mentioned psychological and psychotherapeutic themes it should be acknowledged that coaching clients bring highly complex strategic organisational issues and dilemmas which can leave the coach feeling both stuck and inadequate.
- Many coaches still work on their own and with little ongoing support and assistance. Coaching supervision may be the only regular source of learning and support for many coaches.
- At a time when the coaching profession is still emerging it is an important message to client organisations that professional coaches are taking their practice seriously not only through training and development but also through supervision - in that sense coaching supervision is a form of quality control.
|
| |
Taking all of the above comments into consideration, the reader will be aware that there is a strong emphasis here on the need for psychologically skilled supervisors particularly in the areas of diagnosis, referral, transference, counter-transference and personal development. At PB Coaching we stipulate that coaching supervisors must have both a strong corporate background in order to understand the context and range of organisational issues but also a thorough psychological or psychotherapeutic training. For more on this please contact us. |
