City Research Online

Abstract

The coaching literature offers some definitions of existential coaching yet there is limited empirical research that describes the process of this approach. The aim of this study is to contribute to the field by exploring existential coaches’ perspectives on the process and value of existential coaching. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews with nine existential coaches and analysed thematically. We highlight three key themes. First, the coaches reported that this approach helps their clients deal with their existential questions by fostering skills such as self-reflection, and by transforming their mindset regarding freedom of choice, the human condition and finitude. Second, their main tool is their inner philosophy that is implicit in their work. Finally, the boundaries between existential coaching and existential therapy are significantly blurred. These findings serve as an initial ground for future guidelines and regulations to be established by the individual coaching practices and professional bodies.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
Publisher Keywords:	Existential coaching, thematic analysis, coaching boundaries
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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