The Grey Space™
My Doctorate of Professional Studies in Coaching explored the ‘grey space’, where the boundaries between coaching and therapy intersect: How can I and other coaches improve the practice of dealing with ethics and managing boundaries, in the grey space, when working with clients experiencing stress?
Previous research acknowledges an overlap between the boundaries of coaching and therapy, recognising the complexity this space holds for practice. However, little is known about the lived experience of how coaches manage and deal with these ethical and boundary issues on a practical level.
This study aimed to seek understanding of the lived experience, collaboratively exploring the differences and similarities of how I, and other coaches of various levels, expertly and competently navigate this ‘grey space’. Furthermore, aming to gain a deeper understanding of how we as coaches can negotiate this treacherous terrain, to improve the management of boundaries and ethics, both for coaches within the practice and safeguard coachees/clients. The inquiry considered the experiences when working with coachees/clients on stress management, resilience and personal development, particularly focusing on moments where the boundaries between therapy and coaching may intersect.
ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS
The Role of Coaching Psychology and Coaching in ‘The Grey Space’
An article exploring the fundamental role that coaching psychology plays in improving mental illness as well as proposing that we may find ourselves as coaches in the ‘grey space’, where the boundaries between the therapeutic space and the coaching space become blurred.
Should ‘The Grey Space’ be Front of Mind for the Coaching Psychology and Coaching Community more so now due to COVID-19 Pandemic?
This article presents preliminary findings from research exploring the lived experiences of coaches and coaching psychologists navigating the boundaries of coaching and therapy when working with coachees on stress management and resilience; suggesting that these findings may inform and benefit practitioners during these precarious times of COVID-19 as we as practitioners may find ourselves in ‘the grey space’, where the boundaries between the therapeutic space and the coaching space become blurred.