ABSTRACT
This chapter explores coaching through developmental transitions and the role that positive psychology can play within this arena. Positive psychology has a unique contribution to make when coaching through developmental transitions. It helps individuals to focus on continuity and growth, rather than change, alongside transferable skills and strengths, all of which are likely to be useful resources when negotiating lifespan milestones. Transition psychology is a key theoretical underpinning of 'developmental coaching'. This field explores the range of emotions associated with transitions and the concepts of both challenge and opportunity. 'Developmental coaching' has a role to play alongside other sources of help; yet, coaches and coaching psychologists need to be mindful of appropriate boundaries with counselling and therapy in particular, and make referrals as appropriate. Further, coaches might work towards increasing self-knowledge and encouraging insights by teaching the change process with methods such as the Bridges transition mode.
