The Coaching Psychology Pod

• 10: Technology in Coaching

  In this last episode for Series 3, Dr Natalie Lancer and our panel of experts, Sam Isaacson, Professor Nicky Terblanche, and Alex Haitoglou, delve into the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and coaching psychology. They discuss the critical need for coaches to understand technology, the nascent research on AI in coaching, and the rapid advancements in AI. We explore AI's capabilities in coaching as well as potential benefits, concerns and ethical issues. We discuss the importance of coaches adapting to technological changes while maintaining the uniquely human aspects of their practice.  We consider: What is the impact of technology, specifically AI, on coaching psychology? How is human interaction affected by AI? How important is it for coaches to keep up-to-date with AI and technology? Which are the technologies currently shaping the coaching industry? What is the current state of research on AI and coaching? How can coaches balance the use of technology and AI in their practice? How can AI be appropriately integrated into coaching practices? What are the risks, challenges and benefits of integrating AI and technology with coaching? What are some of the ethical considerations around the use of AI in coaching, on which coaches may wish to reflect? What are the needs and challenges for regulation of AI in coaching? Our experts also considered future trends, including conversational AI and immersive technologies. We know that these AI and technological tools will play a significant role in delivering coaching at scale and enhancing remote coaching experiences. Therefore, adapting to technology is not optional; it is essential for effective coaching. There is a need for more research to fully understand how AI can serve as a beneficial tool for coaches and their clients. Our guests today are: Sam Isaacson is a coachtech thought leader, as well as a coach, coach supervisor and consultant. He writes a regular LinkedIn newsletter and has written several books, including How to Thrive as a Coach in a Digital World (Open University Press, 2021) and Superhuman Coaching (Hanwell Publishing, 2022). He is the founder of the Coachtech Collective, a global community of coaches grappling with technology, and works closely with EMCC Global on the development of thinking around technology and ethics. He is Chair of the Coaching Professional apprenticeship. Sam has experience in a disruptive coaching technology start-up and coaching in virtual reality.  Alex Haitoglou is co-founder and CEO of Ovida, has created the world's first AI platform aimed at enhancing the fundamental soft skills of leadership and coaching. Ovida's mission is to use AI and human expertise to enhance people and organisations' communication potential. In collaboration with academics, Ovida is used for training and research. This platform supports leaders and coaches in their growth by providing AI-generated objective data, video reviews for self-reflection, and expert human mentoring. Alex formerly worked with Procter & Gamble in global business roles and also led their global Grow Coaching programme, training hundreds of leaders and business coaches in coaching skills.  Prof. Nicky Terblanche is an academic, researcher, leadership coach, entrepreneur and research lead at Ovida. He is also the founder and CEO of CoachVici.com which creates AI Coaches for organisations. He has a Master’s degree and PhD in Leadership Coaching and a Master’s degree in Electronic and Software Engineering. He is Associate Professor of Leadership Coaching and Research Methodology at Stellenbosch Business School, South Africa. His research interests include leadership coaching with a focus on AI Coaching. Nicky has published more than 30 peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters and regularly presents at international conferences as a keynote speaker. Your host, Dr Natalie Lancer, is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, and British Psychological Society (BPS) Registered Supervisor. She is the Chair of the BPS’s Division of Coaching Psychology and an accredited member of the Association for Coaching. She is the host of this podcast series and invites you to email any comments to [email protected] https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/division-coaching-psychology © British Psychological Society 2024

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• 09: Humour in coaching

  In this podcast episode, host Dr. Natalie Lancer is joined by Angie Belcher, Harriet Beveridge and Stuart Goldsmith to explore the intersection of humour and coaching. Angie, a comedian and comedy educator, shares her experience using stand-up as a therapeutic tool for diverse groups, including men at risk of suicide and army veterans. Harriet, a corporate coach, key-note speaker and stand-up comedian, discusses humour's role in offering new perspectives and building rapport. Stuart, a corporate speaker on the Climate Crisis and Resilience gives us insights on using humour to facilitate personal growth and cultural change. We discuss: How can you use humour in coaching? Where is the intersection between comedy and coaching? How can comedy be used to build rapport? In what ways can comedy be used as a therapeutic or coaching tool? What’s the link between comedy and trauma? How do you coach people to learn comedy?  What is the purpose of humour and making people laugh? How are psychological models used in comedy? How can we use comedy to help people take a different perspective?  What can we learn from comedians about vulnerability, resilience and authenticity? There are many transferable skills we can take from comedy to enhance our coaching practice such as relationship building and creating psychological safety. Furthermore, working with comedy can help clients reframe risk and failure and cultivate their ability to get into a peak performance state. We also explore the role of comedy in a variety of settings including building new mothers’ confidence and working with NHS patients, army veterans and men at risk of suicide. Our guests today are: Harriet Beveridge is an executive coach providing support challenge to senior individuals and teams, stand-up comic and keynote speaker, helping individuals, teams and organisations in the corporate world to ‘stand up and thrive’. She blends business coaching, comedy and neuroscience. Harriet has appeared on BBC Radio 4 and TEDx talking about the power of humour to raise wellbeing and performance. She has taken four solo stand-up comedy shows to the Edinburgh Fringe. Her latest show focussed on ‘neuroscience with lashings of laughs’. She is co-author of the bestselling business book, ‘Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?’ and has over 20 years’ coaching experience. Harriet is also a mental health first aider and is currently studying for an MSc in the Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health at King’s College, London.  Angie Belcher is a coach, comedian, award-winning workshop trainer, comedy educator and keynote speaker, specialising in the link between comedy, mental health and personal development. Her Comedy On Referral programme uses stand-up comedy workshops to help people in recovery from trauma for the NHS, and she was also commissioned by the NHS to provide stand-up comedy projects for men at risk of suicide through the charity Rethink. She teaches comedy to CEOs and staff at major organisations and has a daytime comedy club AFTERMIRTH and ELDERMIRTH providing entertainment to new parents and people in care homes respectively. She holds a post-graduate diploma in Humanistic Psychology for Leadership, Facilitation and Coaching. In 2022 Bristol Live named Angie Bristol’s 2nd most influential woman for her pioneering work in comedy and health. The Hague awarded her ‘World Comedian of Emancipation 2022’. Stuart Goldsmith is an internationally award-winning comedian, corporate speaker and writer. Stuart is also the host of the internationally renowned podcast: The Comedian’s Comedian. He has interviewed many of the comedy world’s household names, including Jimmy Carr, Bo Burnham, Sarah Millican and James Acaster. He is the creator of the popular Resilience Presentation, a 45-minute business-focussed session which offers a fresh take on cultivating resilience. Stuart’s stand-up career has seen him win several awards and he has taken seven solo stand-up shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He has performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and made multiple appearances at the prestigious, invitation-only Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. In 2019, he performed stand-up on the TBS chat show Conan, in the US. Your host, Dr Natalie Lancer, is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, and British Psychological Society (BPS) Registered Supervisor. She is the Chair of the BPS’s Division of Coaching Psychology and an accredited member of the Association for Coaching. She is the host of this podcast series and invites you to email any comments to [email protected] https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/division-coaching-psychology © British Psychological Society 2024

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• 08: Neurodiversity in Coaching

  In this podcast episode, Dr. Natalie Lancer with Professor Almuth McDowall, Cara Langford Watts, Pippa Simou and Dr. Francoise Orlov, consider the multifaceted nature of neurodiversity coaching encompassing personal neurodiversity journeys, training, supervision and research. The speakers explore the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, particularly women with ADHD and/or autism, and stress the importance of creating inclusive coaching environments. They delve into the double empathy problem, ethical dilemmas, and practical strategies for support. We discuss: What is neurodivergence and how do neurodiversities show up in coaching? What value can coaching bring to neurodiverse individuals? How can coaches support creating inclusive environments for neurodiverse coaches? What are the challenges and positive developments in neurodiversity coaching? What are the limitations of traditional coaching models when considering neurodiversity? What is the ‘whole sphere’ of neurodiversity and how does neurodiversity intersect with other marginalised identities? How can we best understand autistic women's experiences in the workplace? What are the misconceptions faced by women and girls with ADHD? How can coaching strategies support attendance and workplace inclusivity? What specific strategies and techniques can coaches employ when working with neurodivergent coachees? What are the ethical considerations in supporting neurodivergent individuals? Coaches who work with neurodivergent people can be neurotypical or neurodiverse themselves and we discuss the importance of understanding the individual needs and how to co-determine what kind of coach and approach would be best. Coaches and their clients benefit from developments in research and training programmes for neurodiversity coaching as they become more equipped to grasp the complexities and nuances of neurodiversity coaching. Our guests today are: Almuth McDowall is Professor of Organisational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London. With Dr Nancy Doyle, she co-directs the Centre for Neurodiversity Research at Work and co-authored Neurodiversity Coaching: A Psychological Approach to Supporting Neurodivergent Talent and Career Potential. Making people happy at work is at the core of Almuth’s mission – she advocates for approaches which support everyone to thrive. Her award-winning research has been funded by research councils, professional associations and charities, and she is widely published in the academic and practitioner literature. Almuth is passionate about dissemination of research to practitioner audiences, is a sought-after speaker and consultant, and makes frequent appearances in the press, on radio and TV. Cara Langford Watts is a Coaching Psychologist and the Director of Neuro Directions, specialising in providing progressive coaching services tailored to neurodivergent individuals. Cara brings a down-to-earth blend of personal insight, drawing from her own lived experience of ADHD and dyslexia combined with a wealth of professional expertise in coaching neurodivergent clients. Cara is actively working to integrate coaching research and practice through a neurodiverse lens. Her recent Master's research was on autistic women's experiences of workplace coaching and ableist power dynamics. By challenging conventional coaching theories, research paradigms, and practices, Cara passionately advocates for inclusivity. Her mission is to challenge societal norms, paving the way for a more equitable and diverse coaching landscape. Pippa Simou is a coaching psychologist, specialising in supporting women and girls to live well with ADHD and other conditions that may also be present. With 20 years of experience in secondary education and diagnosed with ADHD at 44, Pippa joined a local charity, working to support parents and professionals who live or work with children who have ADHD and/or Autism.  She started ‘The ADD-vantage' in 2020, offering support services to women and girls with ADHD symptoms, and also mentors girls in local schools, trains professionals, coaches women with ADHD one-to-one and facilitates support groups. Awarded a Distinction for her MSc in Psychology, Pippa continues to be involved in research at the University of Hertfordshire.  Dr Francoise Orlov is a Master Practitioner Coach, Mentor and Coaching Supervisor with 30 years of international experience. She is a member of the world-renowned 100 Coaches community of top coaches and leadership experts. Her expertise integrates theoretical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and practical experience to support her clients in steering complex, international projects through high stakes situations. Francoise previously held senior management and board level positions and was an academic in Strategy and Project Management. An advocate for the professionalisation of coaching, she has authored contributions to several coaching publications, encouraging an eclectic and systemic approach. Her current research focuses on neurodivergent professionals and their contributions to the coaching profession, building on her commitment to diversity. Your host, Dr Natalie Lancer, is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, and British Psychological Society (BPS) Registered Supervisor. She is the Chair of the BPS’s Division of Coaching Psychology and an accredited member of the Association for Coaching. She is the host of this podcast series and invites you to email any comments to [email protected] Your host, Dr Natalie Lancer, is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, and British Psychological Society (BPS) Registered Supervisor. She is the Chair of the BPS’s Division of Coaching Psychology and an accredited member of the Association for Coaching. She is the host of this podcast series and invites you to email any comments to [email protected] https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/division-coaching-psychology © British Psychological Society 2024

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• 07: Trauma-informed Coaching

  In this episode, Dr. Natalie Lancer and Julia Vaughan Smith, Kate Brassington, and Jenny Rogers, explore the nuances of trauma-informed coaching. The panel give thought to the complexities and responsibilities involved in trauma-informed coaching, discussing the internal dynamics of trauma, its influence on coaching practices, and the importance of sensitivity to clients' experiences. The conversation covers the distinctions between coaching and therapy, ethical considerations, and the skills necessary for trauma-informed coaching, such as presence, attunement, and reflective practice. The importance of safeguarding, establishing boundaries, and self-care for coaches is also addressed. We consider: What is trauma and how can we recognise it in our coaching practice? What are the reasons why clients seek trauma-informed coaching? What are the benefits for the client of working with a trauma-informed coach? Where is the overlap between coaching and therapy in addressing trauma-related issues? How can we address trauma in coaching? What are the core qualities and skills needed to coach in a trauma-informed way? How can we train to become a more trauma-informed coach? Do self-care and supervision look different for trauma-informed coaches? How should we contract appropriately for client safety? What are the risks, safe-guards and limits of trauma-informed coaching? In what ways can coaching contribute to trauma healing? Our experts shared their approaches to working with trauma in coaching, for example, understanding clients' backstories without explicitly using the term “trauma”. Trauma can be subtly present in coaching sessions, even when clients may not explicitly seek help for trauma-related issues. Trauma-informed coaching helps clients process trauma in the present and integrate their experiences in safe ways through creating a trusting environment where they feel heard and understood.  Our guests today are: Jenny Rogers is a leader in a new approach to coaching which combines insights from psychotherapy with the pragmatic emphasis on change, drawing on a career in coaching spanning three decades. She works with senior clients in the law, medicine, finance, healthcare, performing arts and media who typically face a major transition in their lives. Jenny won the Henley Business School Award for Outstanding Contribution to Coaching in 2019. She is the author of Are You Listening? and nine other books on coaching. Julia Vaughan Smith is an Accredited Master Executive Coach and Supervisor and was in private practice as a Psychotherapist, focusing on trauma processing and healing. Together with Jenny Rogers, she has co-facilitated Masterclasses and associated workshops on trauma and coaching. She is the author of a number of books including ‘Coaching and Trauma’, ‘Therapist to Coach’, and ‘Daughters: How to Untangle Yourself from Your Mother’, exploring the impact of developmental and ancestral trauma on this relationship and how to become untangled. Kate Brassington is a Coaching Psychologist (GMBPsS) and PCC ICF-certified Trauma Informed Coach who researches applied coaching strategies. She has published her research on resilience training for people in high-risk occupations. She hosts a podcast called ‘Refreshing Leadership’ which brings to life applied trauma-informed coaching for leaders in all walks of life. She works with a wide range of people from teens to 70+’s; with executives, retirees, solo-entrepreneurs, and more. She offers pro-bono coaching to military amputees through the charity BLESMA. Your host, Dr Natalie Lancer, is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, and British Psychological Society (BPS) Registered Supervisor. She is the Chair of the BPS’s Division of Coaching Psychology and an accredited member of the Association for Coaching. She is the host of this podcast series and invites you to email any comments to [email protected] https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/division-coaching-psychology © British Psychological Society 2024

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• 06: Psychodynamics in Coaching

  In this episode of The Coaching Psychology Pod, host Dr. Natalie Lancer, with Raul Aparici, an integrative coach and psychotherapist, and Dr. Susan Kahn, a psychodynamic coaching psychologist, engage in a rich discussion about the nuances of psychodynamic coaching. We explore the wounded and celebrated self, emphasising the need for coaches to be self-aware and to understand their own vulnerabilities. The conversation also covers the contributions of influential thinkers such as Winnicott and Bion, and the use of creative techniques in coaching. The importance of ethical boundaries, supervision, and respecting client defenses in deep psychodynamic work is highlighted. We ask: What is psychodynamic coaching? What is the difference between psychotherapy and psychodynamic coaching? Which tools and concepts are useful in psychodynamic coaching? Does goal-setting show up in psychodynamic coaching? What are the challenges in using psychodynamic terminology with clients? Why is containment, referral and maintaining boundaries in the coaching relationship important? What roles do supervision, reflective practice and self-awareness have in psychodynamic coaching work? Who are influential thinkers in the field of psychodynamic coaching? How can we train in psychodynamic coaching?   What are the risks and rewards of psychodynamic coaching? The importance of taking a client-centred approach is emphasised in psychodynamic coaching. It privileges understanding the unconscious and the here and now in coaching relationships, such as unpicking transference and counter transference in coaching sessions. Psychodynamic coaching draws upon a rich lineage of a specific set of assumptions and philosophical foundations, aspects of which we cover in our conversation. Learn how this distinctive approach can be integrated into your coaching practice with expert guidance and education in this field.  Our guests today are: Dr Susan Kahn is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist and Business Psychologist, an executive coach, consultant, mediator, BPS registered supervisor and author.  She writes about below the surface dynamics at work and her research interests encompass vulnerability, conflict, leadership and resilience.  She has written three books, Death & the City: On Loss, Mourning and Melancholia at Work; Bounce Back, How to Fail Fast and be Resilient at Work and Reinvent Yourself: Psychological Insights that will Transform your Work Life. She is also a lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London, teaching coaching and organisational psychology, and is a faculty member at the School of Life, working with businesses to develop their emotional intelligence. Raul Aparici is a coach, psychotherapist, consultant and facilitator. He is the Head of Faculty for The School of Life, a global organisation focussed on delivering psychological and philosophical insights to help people learn, heal and grow. With a diverse background in literature, fitness, management and consulting, an MA in Critical theory, and an MA in Gestalt Therapy Theory, he is driven by curiosity and a desire to help others make the most out of their current situation and likes to match academic insights with commercial pragmatism. He provides Equine Assisted Coaching and Leadership Consulting with Operation Centaur in Richmond Park and he is the former Programme Director for Coaching Psychology at Birkbeck College, University of London. Your host, Dr Natalie Lancer, is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, and British Psychological Society (BPS) Registered Supervisor. She is the Chair of the BPS’s Division of Coaching Psychology and an accredited member of the Association for Coaching. She is the host of this podcast series and invites you to email any comments to [email protected] https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/division-coaching-psychology © British Psychological Society 2024

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