ABSTRACT
The transition from passive to active voice is emphasized throughout coaching as part of the coachee's developing role as a self-coach with a concomitant sense of increased personal agency. As self-limiting beliefs are dismantled and replaced with personal growth ones, internal control enables the coachee to achieve more, gives them the confidence to tackle a wider range of troublesome situations. During the first session of cognitive behavioural coaching (CBC), it's important for the coach to orient the coachee to their cognitive appraisals of events and associated emotional and behavioural reactions. In CBC, psychological responsibility means taking ownership of one's thoughts, feelings and behaviours and making changes in those that interfere with goal-striving. Too much discussion about events can create the impression that events alone caused the coachee's reactions. Other coachees may not be aware of what they're thinking in particular situations and can't be expected to take responsibility for thoughts they can't identify, but they may know how they feel.
