ABSTRACT
Person-centred coaching psychology is a way of working with people based on the meta-theoretical assumption that people have the potential to develop, and to grow, and that when this inner potential is released they are able to move toward becoming more autonomous, socially constructive, and optimally functioning. But this does not happen automatically. Without the right social environment, the intrinsic motivation toward optimal functioning is usurped leading instead to distress and dysfunction. Thus, the task of the person-centred coaching psychologist is to provide a social environment in which the client’s intrinsic motivation is facilitated. The person-centred coaching psychologist holds that the client is their own best expert and that if they are able to offer the client an accepting and authentic relationship in which they do not feel judged or pushed, then the client will be selfdetermining and motivated towards optimal functioning. In this chapter, we will describe the development of the person-centred approach, and how it is applicable to coaching psychology.
