Coaching and coaching supervision
All the centre4gio coaches apply a Gestalt approach to their coaching.
One of the three key elements of a Gestalt approach is the primacy of contexts. Everything we experience is conditioned by, configured by and emerges from the context in which we experience it. No event, no response, no reaction can take place except within, frm and because of the context in which it happens. This is the essence of field theory.
In building and sustaining an effective coaching relationship in addition to field theory another key concept is authentic dialogue. Which includes all of the following:
- Presence
- Here and now and next
- Phenomenology
- Support
- Experiment
The whole Gestalt approach is focused on making relationship between coach and client central to the work with the client. This is done through the careful application of the Gestalt principles noted above and in particular the empathic, moment-by-moment exploration of the issues raised by the client and in searching together for meaning.
There are two particular ways of working that help this process to happen.
- Swimming alongside the client in their context, or in other words staying within the client's frame of reference.
- Working empathically by -
- Empathic listening - hearing what it is like for the client in their context
- Empathic attunement - being on the client's wavelength
- Attuned response - responding in a way that is attuned to the client's experience
And finally perhaps one of the most important aspects of a Gestalt approach is through increased awareness change becomes possible. Paradoxically pushing for change in the client prevents the client from self-mobilising and discovering their own insights and greater understanding.
| 
