ABSTRACT
Due to the nature of existential themes and questions there are some risks and ethical concerns. Tapping into the existential space by inviting the client to think more deeply about their presenting issue may allow painful or challenging insights, memories or realisations to surface. The resulting emotional space or perceived existential void can be difficult to hold or work with for an inexperienced or insufficiently trained practitioner. It may be more appropriate for clients to enter therapy instead. A series of questions are to help the coach ensure that they are practising within an appropriate ethical framework. While risk of harm is relatively low among those who seek coaching, some clients do seek coaching as a form of therapy “through the back door”. The existential coach hence has an increased responsibility to be fully aware of their level of training and their ability to hold the coaching space, to ensure their clients’ safety and wellbeing and to establish thorough reflective practice (e.g. through regular supervision), to know their limits and to refer clients if necessary. The boundaries of existential coaching are further blurred by existentilism’s capacity to provide fertile ground for the integration of tools, techniques, processes and methods from other approaches to coaching. Appropriate contracting seeking informed consent from the client to engage in existential work is key to ensure sound ethical practice.
