Towards a systemic model of coaching supervision: Some lessons from psychotherapeutic and counselling models

Abstract

Although recent research indicates a growing engagement among coaches with supervision, many coaches still pursue their professional practice without the support and guidance of a supervisor. Also, while the organisations that purchase coaching are clear that the coaches they hire should have supervision, they are unclear as to what forms that supervision should take. This article sets out to identify the kind of models of supervision that might be appropriate to coaches by exploring models and lessons from the supervision of counsellors and psychotherapist. Such models are valid because many current practising coaches are professionally trained as counsellors or psychotherapists, and a range of alternative supervisory models have been tried and evaluated over several decades. Applying elements of these models to a coaching context has allowed for the design of what is termed a systemic model of coaching supervision, with contracting, teaching and evaluation at its core. Models of the supervisory relationship are also discussed as important elements of the supervisor - coach alliance.

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