Alison Whybrow & Stephen Palmer

Objectives: This paper presents the findings of two surveys exploring the practices and perspectives of the membership of the Coaching Psychology Forum (CPF), the precursor to the Special Group in Coaching Psychology.
Design: The study was cross-sectional in design
Method: The two surveys were conducted 12 months apart. The surveys focused on psychologists’ practice as coaches and their views on a number of relevant issues such as required training and experience to practise as a coaching psychologist.
Results: The membership of the CPF consists of psychologists with diverse applied psychological backgrounds, who practice coaching in a variety of settings from a range of psychological developmental perspectives. Issues around training and development for coaching psychologists emerged, highlighting the need for an understanding of the underpinning competencies of the domain and how these fit with existing applied psychological domains. Additionally, important research questions were raised.
Conclusions: The outcome of the surveys highlights the diversity in practice and perspectives of the membership of the CPF and the energy and enthusiasm for the development of the profession of coaching psychology.

Keywords: coaching psychology, professional practice, supervision, continuing professional development, British Psychological Society.

Full article: Volume 1, Issue 1 pages 56 - 70