Coaching Psychology

Working life is complex and organisations are looking to executive coaching to help them work through the demands and challenges they face. At Birkbeck we recognise the issues that organisations experience and have the expertise to support those demands.

Organisations have woken up to the fact that most employees need some additional perspective to help them be successful in their roles. Coaching as an intervention to address this has grown exponentially. Some pertinent questions remain, and need reflection: Why has coaching emerged now? Why is it seen to be so relevant? How can we tell when/if it works? Is it different from counselling and psychotherapy? Are certain types of coaching more effective, under certain conditions, with certain people?

The coaching psychology course combines practical and theoretical study to not only develop your professional expertise but also give you greater self-awareness and understanding. You will investigate pragmatically and critically how coaching works in organisations and how it is an important skill for leaders.

You will be introduced to the history and variety of coaching and helping relationships. You will review a range of coaching techniques, discussing their relevance and efficacy, and consider pertinent issues that face the contemporary coach.

Using case studies and client work you will have the opportunity to analyse and understand your own work through a range of lenses, allowing for different interpretations. You will learn to supervise effectively, explore different responses and reflect on the coaching relationship process. Issues that are often overlooked, such as ethics, change, boundaries and defences, are highlighted. Rather than looking at coaching in isolation, you will consider it in the context of evidence frameworks, organisational systems and practices, and organisations as political arenas.

The skills and knowledge you gain from this course can be applied within your organisation and to leadership roles and help you progress a career in coaching.

We offer this course as a Master’s and a Postgraduate Certificate. For the Certificate, you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation.