Personal coaching as a positive intervention

Abstract Personal coaching is a relatively new and unlicensed profession aimed at helping functioning individuals set and achieve goals, overcome obstacles, and maintain motivation. Coaching is increasingly merging with psychology as evidenced by new journals, academic programs, and research symposia. Although coaching has traditionally been used with non‐clinical populations, it can be highly relevant to psychotherapy. Clinicians who develop a hybrid psychotherapy‐coaching practice might be better protected from occupational stress and burnout. In addition, a number of coaching interventions and assessments might translate well to therapy and help clinicians innovate their practice. The synergy between personal coaching and psychotherapy are illustrated with a case example. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 65: 1–10, 2009.