What is A Coaching Psychologist?

Back when I first delved into the world of psychology (many moons ago), I learned that it is the scientific study of human behavior grounded in theory. Psychological theories provide a fact-based framework for describing phenomena. This might sound paradoxical—how can something be both theoretical and factual? But that’s a discussion for another day.

For the purposes of this post, let's focus on defining two key methodologies: positive psychology and coaching psychology. Positive psychology is described as "the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels, including the biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions of life" (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). It has also been defined as the scientific study of what makes life worth living (Peterson & Park, 2014) and the scientific study of what goes right in life (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). In essence, positive psychology aims to discover and enhance what’s right about you, rather than focusing on fixing what might be wrong (Gable & Haidt, 2005).

I use positive psychology to help you discover a greater version of yourself and enhance your life satisfaction. This is achieved through positive psychology interventions (PPIs), which apply the science of psychology in practical ways to support success and well-being in your personal and professional life.

Positive psychology shares common ground with coaching psychology in that both apply psychological and behavioral science in practice. Coaching psychology is defined as "the systematic application of behavioral sciences to the enhancement of life experience, work performance, and well-being of individuals, groups, and organizations" (Grant, 2007a, p.23). Its application in evidence-based coaching can also be defined as "the enhancement of well-being and performance in personal life and work domains underpinned by models of coaching grounded in child and adult learning or psychological theories and approaches" (adapted from Grant and Palmer, 2002 as cited in Palmer & Whybrow, 2008). In this light, coaching psychology can be seen as a form of positive psychology intervention.

The definitions of both disciplines highlight their shared focus on optimal human functioning and well-being enhancement. Research indicates that coaching psychology and positive psychology interventions enhance well-being, decrease depressive symptoms, and cultivate positive feelings, behaviors, and cognition (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).

As a Coaching Psychologist (or Positive Psychology Coach), my role is to help you discover and enhance your inner strengths and virtues. Using the science of well-being and research-based assessments and interventions, I aim to cultivate positive emotions and improve your life satisfaction. In other words, I help you discover your purpose, cultivate inner peace, and develop your potential.

It's important to note that coaching is still a relatively new profession and currently unregulated, meaning anyone can call themselves a coach without any training or experience. Thus, it’s beneficial to consider the advantages of working with a Coaching Psychologist or Positive Psychology Coach/Practitioner. We are trained in psychology or positive psychology, grounding our approach in psychological theory and providing a deeper understanding of human motivation, behavior, learning, and development. Additionally, those of us with clinical experience often have a greater depth of one-on-one experience than many other mental health professionals.

That said, training, qualifications, and experience mean little if you don't click with your coach. Therefore, it’s essential to have an informal chat with the professional you’re considering to ensure you can establish a successful coaching relationship and get to know each other a bit first.