What is Coaching Psychology

Prof Stephen Palmer & Dr Siobhain O’Riordan

There are a number of different definitions of coaching psychology. Our recent definition of coaching psychology, published in the Routledge book, Introduction to Coaching Psychology (O’Riordan & Palmer, 2021: 6) defines it as ‘the application of psychological theory, research, and evidence-based practice to encourage the coachees’ learning, resourcefulness, and self-insight in a non-directive collaborative way to enhance their goal-striving and achievement’.

Team Coaching Psychology

In recent years there has been a growing interest in team coaching and team coaching psychology. In 2022 we define team coaching psychology as the application of psychological theory, research, and evidence-based practice to encourage learning, resourcefulness, and self-insight in a non-directive collaborative way within a team in order to enhance their individual and shared goal-striving and achievement. It is neither training nor consultancy.