The Coaching Psychology Forum

Background

The Coaching Psychology Forum (CPF) was founded in 2002, as a response to concern about untrained or poorly trained coaches, and the related need to promote improved standards of practice for the benefit of the profession of coaching, coaches, their clients and the public at large.

The CPF is an internet based group consisting of members or affiliate members of the British Psychological Society (BPS) who may be:

°       interested in coaching

°       involved in coaching

°       undertaking research into coaching

°       want to find out what’s going on in the field of psychology of coaching

°       want to promote improved coaching practice.

 

The CPF has grown from around 25 to over 180 members over the last 18 months. The forum continues to grow as the profile of the group increases within and externally to the BPS.

The CPF is strongly linked to other representative coaching bodies within the UK and Europe. The strength of these links will facilitate the opportunity for psychology to influence the growing profession of coaching.

The importance of psychology to coaching

Coaching practice has a history entwined with the emergence of psychology as a profession. This is highlighted by the following quote from a recent paper by Grant.

“The notion of using validated psychological principles to enhance life experience and work performance in normal, non-clinical populations goes back at least to Parkes (1955)” (Grant, 2001, p2).

Similarly, John Whitmore (1992) points to the importance of understanding the underpinning psychological principles on which coaching is based in order to be effective as a coach.

These two excerpts highlight the fundamental links between psychology and the practice of coaching.

The CPF aims to facilitate the development of the link between coaching and psychology, thus reducing the potential split in the growth of these professions.

The need for a unified psychological voice in the coaching arena is highlighted by the comments outlined above, and the fact that there is a strong ‘pull’ from the psychological and coaching communities at large for such a voice as demonstrated by the popularity of the CPF activities internally and externally to the BPS.

The first UK coaching psychology conference taking place early in June 2003, was fully booked over a month in advance.

What we mean by coaching psychology

The development of coaching and coaching psychology in the UK has led to the development of the following working definition:

“Coaching Psychology is for enhancing well-being and performance in personal life and work domains with normal, non-clinical populations, underpinned by models of coaching grounded in established adult learning or psychological approaches” (adapted from Grant and Palmer, 2002).

 

Activities of the CPF

The CPF is currently involved in driving coaching psychology forward in four ways.

Facilitating an internet based discussion forum

Lobbying for the formation of a Special Group in Coaching Psychology.

Facilitating of a series of short conferences aimed at providing a platform for the presentation of research and case study material in coaching psychology.

Representing psychology in a range of bodies involved in the wider coaching arena.

 

 

 

 

Aims

The aims of the CPF are laid out in detail in a draft proposal to the BPS. However, through its activities the CPF aims to:

°       promote the academic and professional development of coaching psychology, and encourage it’s research and study in a variety of personal, organisational and training contexts.

°       promote the development of appropriate ethical standards and guidelines for the practice of coaching psychology

°       encourage the development of coaching psychology by facilitating workshops, symposia, conferences and publications; developing public awareness

°       work closely with others (sections, special groups and divisions of the BPS and external agencies and organisations) in pursuit of these aims

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting the CPF

We currently have the opportunity to shape and influence this important area of professional practice.

Make sure that you take this important opportunity and support the activities of the CPF by joining the forum if possible, by promoting and attending events, and offering your support to the call for improved standards and coaching practice.

 

Contact Details

 

Coaching Psychology Forum

156 Westcombe Hill

London, SE3 7DH, UK.

Email [email protected]

URL http://www.geocities.com/coachingpsychologyforum

Information Leaflet No. 1

Compiled by Alison Whybrow &

Stephen Palmer.

 

© Coaching Psychology Forum, 2003