Special Group In Coaching Psychology Announces Recipient Of First Research Award

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 19 Dec 2008 - 0:00 PST

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The British Psychological Society's Special Group in Coaching Psychology has announced that it is presenting its first research award to Eve Turner, for her work exploring the practice of coaching. Ms Turner's work challenges whether some coaches may need a broader ranging model of training and practice that encompasses psychological processes, both conscious and unconscious. Frequently, coaches tend to avoid the unconscious, seeing this as the preserve of counsellors and therapeutic interventions.

The award, in recognition for completion of a distinguished research project in coaching psychology, was presented to Ms Turner at the 1st European Coaching Psychology Conference to be held at Westminster University London, on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 December 2008, organised by the British Psychological Society's Special Group in Coaching Psychology.

"As a coach, I have always wanted, first and foremost, to ensure my clients are in 'safe hands'", explains Ms Turner. "Often coach training emphasises that there is a line between coaching and therapy that should not be crossed. Coaches involved in the research believed unconscious processes occurred and were relevant in coaching and saw the difference more as a continuum. My research highlighted the need for a body of knowledge that includes understanding of unconscious psychological processes and beliefs, personality types, and mental health and possible dysfunction, in order to provide informed and supportive coaching and to know when to refer clients to other practitioners".

"Ms Turner's work suggests that coaches may need to take bolder steps towards embracing elements of psychological knowledge that can easily be viewed as being outside the realm of coaching practice", says Dr Alison Whybrow, Chair of the Special Group in Coaching Psychology. "As we continue to develop the profession of coaching psychology, it is important that we encourage research such as Ms Turner's, as this work provides relevant and helpful insights into the most effective ways of ensuring effective coaching practice. We are very pleased to be able to present her with our first research award at this year's conference".

British Psychological Society