In the summer of 2018 I presented my approach to coaching at the 20th Conference of the International Network of Personal Meaning (INPM) in Vancouver. Based on my talk I wrote this paper which was recently published in the
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXISTENTIAL POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
VOL 9 NO 1 (2020): SPECIAL ISSUE: 2018 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEANING CONFERENCE
Abstract:
Questions of meaning, happiness, identity, and belonging are pertinent to psychological wellbeing. Exploring these questions with clients not only helps to resolve ongoing crises but also builds resilience against future adversity. When discussed within a coaching framework, such an exploration helps clients to move forward and achieve results well beyond performance. An approach to coaching informed by existential philosophy and positive psychology specifically addresses the three aspects of life that human beings value most: existence, happiness, and agency. The 3-factor model of Positive Existential Coaching offers a meaningful integration. A number of meeting points between the fields are introduced. Existential intelligence in combination with positive psychological science is suggested as a suitable pathway towards achieving sustainable happiness. Given the broad range of coaching styles and definitions, the processes, tools, and methods of the positive existential coach will vary but possible commonalities include phenomenological inquiry, following a process and the use of assessments derived from empirical science.
