ABSTRACT
The structure of a cognitive behavioural coaching (CBC) session is based on setting an agenda which is considered to be the best way of making optimum use of the time. The agenda items are jointly agreed through negotiation, but carrying out and reviewing extra-session tasks are permanent fixtures on the agenda. A typical agenda looks like this: reviewing extra-session tasks, items for the current session, negotiating new extra-session tasks, summarizing the session, end-of-session feedback. If there are going to be any departures from the agenda, then both parties need to agree to it and a rationale advanced – how is the departure relevant to the current discussion about, for example, goals or tasks? This relevancy criterion acts as a check on the coach or coachee departing from the agenda any time something takes their interest and they want to pursue it.
