Helping Relationships

Lou Breger I: The Case Study of Yael

Lou Breger II: The Case Study of Yael

A prominent therapist recounts his relationship with a client and how this relationship impacts on his own view of the world. There is much to be learned here by professional coaches as well as psychotherapists. [Note: we have provided the link to two commentaries on the Breger case.]

David Skibbins: Co-Active Coaching

David Skibbins is an early practitioner of co-active coaching–the coaching processes presented by Coach Training Institute. “As an experienced psychotherapist, Skibbins reflects not only on the nature of co-active coaching (the foundation of CTI practices), but also the shift for him from conducting psychotherapy to engaging in professional coaching.”

Marcia Reynolds: Coaching the Problem

A noted professional coach and author, Marcia Reynolds writes about coaching as a process of inquiry, not a series of questions. Excerpted from one of her books, Reynolds observers that: “The intent of inquiry is not to find solutions but to provoke critical thinking about our own thoughts. Inquiry helps the people being coached discern gaps in their logic, evaluate their beliefs, and clarify fears and desires affecting their choices. Solutions emerge when thoughts are rearranged and expanded. Statements that prompt us to look inside our brains are reflective.”

Paul Lawrence: Keeping an Eye on the Goal

One of the many insightful essays about coaching that is offered by Paul Lawrence concerns the process through which goals are agreed at the beginning of an assignment, form the focus of coaching for several months thereafter, and are assessed at the end of the assignment. “In this paper we report the outcome of research into the life of some real-life goals and consider the implications for best (coaching) practice.”

Cory Colton: Reframing the Circumstance

Helpful advice is offered in this essay regarding what is needed to simply reframe a client’s circumstances.  The same goes for coaches and their own personal reframing.  “The quality of life is not determined by the circumstances…it is determined by our presence!”