Specialisms in coaching psychology

Examining specialisms in coaching psychology, this chapter covers areas such as health and wellbeing, stress, resilience and performance coaching, sports, and animal-assisted interventions. In exploring Specialisms in Coaching Psychology, you will be presented with coaching psychology approaches and techniques as applied to specific contexts. The authors will introduce you to the theory and practice of working with coachees towards overcoming stress and developing resilience, promoting health and wellbeing, enhancing performance in sports, and achieving goals and increasing levels of wellbeing by use of animals as further facilitators of the coaching process. The chapter outlines: a variety of coaching psychology strategies available for use in different contexts; stress, its impact on performance and wellbeing, and implications when working as a coaching psychologist; cognitive-behavioural solution-focused coaching (CB-SFC), positive psychology coaching (PPC), and motivational interviewing (MI); how coaching psychology can inform sports coaching towards optimal performance and wellbeing; and how animals can be used in coaching psychology sessions as key facilitators of the change process. Whilst this chapter will look at theoretical and practical aspects involved in coaching psychology sessions; it is not an intention to offer an exhaustive list of themes concerning specialisms in coaching psychology. The goal of the chapter is to introduce the topic and ignite your curiosity into going further and exploring it as part of your journey as a coaching psychology learner, practitioner, or enthusiast.