Mastery in Coaching

A Complete Psychological Toolkit for Advanced Coaching

Jonathan Passmore, Jonathan Passmore

• Publisher: Kogan Page
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9780749471804
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Mentoring & Coaching
• Index: Business

The reasons that coaching works so well and can produce such dramatic results are grounded in psychology, so it follows that some of the most powerful coaching methods available draw on psychological thinking. Published with the Association for Coaching, Mastery in Coaching presents the latest thinking on the most effective techniques coaches can use with their clients. Every chapter is written by a leading expert in the field, and takes a rigorous, evidence-based approach which will give you a practical understanding of each method, supported with examples, and underpinned by the theory of the key psychological concepts in coaching. Ranging from cognitive-behavioural coaching, gestalt and positive psychology to neuroscience and mindfulness, this indispensable book will give any serious coach the tools they need to get the best from their clients.

07

Cognitive behavioural coaching

HELEN WHITTEN

Introduction

Cognitive behavioural coaching (CBC) has been a growing practice since the early 1990s and is now frequently applied in business contexts. It is also beneficial for individual clients seeking help with personal issues, such as anxiety and anger management. CBC is underpinned by the theory that thoughts and beliefs about a situation shape emotions and that the emotions generated by the beliefs shape behaviours and actions.

In the context of this chapter I shall use the following definition of CBC as: ‘An integrative approach which combines the use of cognitive, behavioural, imaginal and problem-solving techniques and strategies within a cognitive behavioural framework to enable clients to achieve their realistic goals’ (Palmer and Szymanska, 2007: 86).

CBC evolved from the practice of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Whereas CBT focuses on remedial work for disorders, usually within a clinical context, CBC developed from a growing demand from clients to provide a future-oriented problem-solving approach to the practical and emotional challenges being experienced in life and work. CBC integrates cognitive-behavioural psychology from the theories of Aaron Beck (Beck et al, 1979) with Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behavioural therapy, REBT (1994). It combines goal-focused coaching methodology with CBT/REBT strategies to help clients achieve their defined outcomes. These could be anything from developing self-confidence to taking action towards a work promotion.

In this chapter, I aim to give an overview of the approach and its practical application for experienced coaches, as well as a critical review of the literature on the efficacy of CBC. In analysing what is effective about CBC I have drawn on research evidence and also my own practice over 20 years. The role of the CBC coach is to combine solution-focused behavioural methods with cognitive strategies and awareness. This includes cognitive reframing, disputational questioning, imagery, problem-solving, an understanding of the impact of the relationship between mind and body chemistry, and the emphasis on the need for the client to reinforce new habits through rehearsal and repetition.

CBC is a cooperative model between coach and client. This collaboration is essential as, for change to occur, the client needs to accept responsibility for their part in the process. Effective contracting and objective-setting ensures that both client and coach are travelling in the same direction. The coach introduces models to enable the client to recognize negative or limiting thoughts, beliefs, emotions and behaviours. Between sessions, the client practices replacing limiting thoughts and behaviours with rational and constructive approaches to their problems. This process provides a measurable method for change.

Behavioural change alone goes some way towards achieving a goal but goal setting can be a deceptively simple task. Achieving the outcome identified may well be hampered by unconscious negative thoughts and emotions that keep the client stuck in old habits. Cognitive models demonstrate the impact of thoughts on behaviours, enabling the client to understand how they may be sabotaging their own efforts through unconscious rumination that may directly contradict the result they are trying to achieve. Socratic questioning challenges the client to analyse whether current perspectives are rational and helpful. Developing problem-solving skills enables the client to gain flexibility of thinking and enhances creativity. Behavioural skills such as assertiveness can be practiced during home assignments to support the client’s progress towards their goals, through measurable steps.

Changing thoughts, beliefs and behaviours requires hard work and reinforcement. I liken it to learning a new language – it takes repetition to build up a new vocabulary. Similarly, changing habits requires repetition and can be uncomfortable. The neural pathways of mental and muscle reactivity have been well-trodden grooves for some time and, like driving a new car, helping clients ‘reprogramme’ their mind and body to respond in new ways can feel awkward at first. But, just as one gets used to the latest technology on a mobile phone, so clients are able to adopt new viewpoints that can make profound changes to their life. As a 40-year-old client said to me recently ‘I found the session really interesting and am already working hard on my “homework”. Most revelatory for me was the need to slow down mentally which had never occurred to me and yet now I am aware of this need, it is so unbelievably obvious!’ As this comment highlights, although the outcome is indisputable, many people are simply unaware that they have the capacity to tune in to thoughts and change the nature of them.

The practicality of the cognitive behavioural coaching methodology makes it accessible to people in all walks of life. By changing the way they think about situations a client comes to realize that the main freedom they have is in how they respond to events. So even if they can’t alter the external environment they gain a sense of personal control by developing a more self-supportive perspective of themselves within it. The responsibility of the coach is to support this process by providing them with tools and techniques for change, together with realistic and compassionate encouragement.

This chapter will introduce examples of models and methods of cognitive behavioural coaching and how they are being applied in both business and personal life. I will include some theoretical background and cover the evidence-based research that is being undertaken to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. Examples of CBC models will be provided to demonstrate their practicality in achieving results. The case study aims to give you a journey through a client’s ability to change behaviour and outcomes through challenging his inflexible perceptions of himself and others, developing new perspectives that enable him to manage his anger, thereby enhancing both his personal and business relationships. I shall also suggest situations where the CBC can be relevant.

Evidence-based approach to CBC

There is a great deal of literature on cognitive behavioural therapy and an expanding collection of books, articles and journals on cognitive behavioural coaching. In this section I shall aim to introduce you to some of the research studies that have been undertaken to demonstrate the effectiveness of CBC. I shall draw attention to written data on CBC that supports the effectiveness of client outcomes.

Background research

Cognitive behavioural therapy has become well recognized as a validated therapeutic approach (Neenan, 2008) within clinical settings and is the recommended treatment classified by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines since 2005 for a wide range of psychological problems. It has become the single most important and best validated psychotherapeutic approach. It is the psychological treatment of choice for a wide range of psychological problems (NICE Guidelines to NHS Commissioning bodies, April 2008).

Evidence of the effectiveness of positive future-focused psychology has been building for several years now. The research into cognitive behavioural coaching for non-clinical problems is more recent and is still building up to demonstrate its effectiveness for use in both coaching at work as well as for personal life problems. I believe one can also argue that as the CBC coach utilizes the same theories, philosophy, methodology and models as CBT, though in a non-clini...