Blackwell Reference Online

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Coaching psychology can be broadly understood as the systematic application of behavioral science, focused on the enhancement of life experience, work performance and well-being for individuals, groups and organizations with no clinically significant mental heath issues or abnormal levels of distress. It is the focus on the systematic application of evidenced-based behavioral science and the incorporation of an informed-practitioner model that distinguishes coaching psychology from atheoretical proprietary approaches to coaching. Coaching psychology is an emerging psychological sub-discipline and closely related to positive psychology. In general terms, coaching psychology sits at the intersection of sports, counseling, clinical, and organizational and health psychology. Clinical and counseling psychologists frequently work with clients who are experiencing or recovering from distress or dysfunctionality In contrast, coaching psychologists work with well-functioning clients, using theoretically grounded and scientifically validated techniques to help clients reach goals in their personal and business lives. Such goals may be concerned with aspects of personal or organizational well-being, or may be with more concrete material outcomes. In addition to applied work with clients, coaching psychology is also focused on conducting research into human change and the enhancement of well-being. ... log in or subscribe to read full text