ABSTRACT
When a student runs into an emotional obstacle the coach can try a simple solution-focused approach. However, if this is ineffective, he can try the ABC model instead. When using the ABC model, coach and student begin by describing the situation and identifying the Cs how the student felt and how she behaved. The next step is to identify the A – the aspect of the situation about which the student was most angry, dejected, anxious etc. The coach then helps the student identify her beliefs – B. He can provide the student with a handout of 'irrational beliefs', reflect back any beliefs she has articulated, and/or ask her to work out for herself what rigid and extreme beliefs she held in the situation. Once the ABC table has been completed, the coach helps the student see the 'B-C connection', i.e. the fact that she largely makes herself angry by holding rigid and extreme beliefs.
