ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the theory and practice of cognitive behavioural coaching. Palmer and Williams note that cognitive behavioural coaching (CBC) has been used in a number of different contexts 'including skills and performance, life, developmental, executive and leadership, peer, team, career, and health coaching'. While cognitive behavioural coaching psychology, by its very nature, sees humans as thinking and behaviourally based organisms, the approaches that comprise the CBC tradition all tend to adhere to a principle known as 'psychological interactionism'. The chapter considers some of the basic theoretical assumptions that underlie cognitive behavioural coaching. While CBC is often seen as a technical approach to coaching, like other approaches to coaching, it is based on a relationship between coach and coachee which can make a difference to the outcome of coaching. It is important to realize that coachees have an important part to play in the CB coaching process.
