Psychological approaches for executive coaching

Aims of the course:

1. To explore the role of psychological and emotional dimensions within the coaching process.
2. To provide students with an introduction to core coaching methodologies.
3. To describe inter-personal skills that enable effective coaching to take place.
4. To introduce different psychological approaches that are informing coaching.
5. To enable students to practice coaching.
6. To clarify the coach's responsibilities with clients

Target audience:

• Those considering becoming coaches
• Those interested in learning more about coaching and psychology
• Coaches in training
• Working coaches

Course content overview:

• Core coaching methodologies
• Performance and psychology
• Different psychological approaches
• Practical coaching exercises
• Coaching responsibilities

Learning outcomes:

As a result of the course, within the constraints of the time available, students should be able to:

1. Understand core coaching methodologies  
2. Take away raised awareness of psychological approaches that are informing coaching
3. Understand inter-personal skills that support and enable effective coaching
4. Develop practical skills in coaching
5. Understand the importance of creating a safe coaching environment 
    

Schedule (this course is completed entirely online):

Orientation Week: 27 October-2 November 2025

Purpose/Learning outcomes: By studying this week the students should have:

• Become familiar with navigating around the VLE and from VLE to links and back
• Tested their ability to access files and the web conferencing software and sorted out any problems with the help of the eLearning team
• Investigated the ICE Online Resources repository
• Learnt how to look for, assess and reference internet resources
• Used Qmail to introduce themselves to other students
• Contributed to a discussion forum to introduce themselves to other students and discuss why they are interested in the course, what they hope to get out their studies and also to respond to News item sent out on behalf of tutor

Teaching Weeks: 3 November-7 December 2025

Week 1 Core coaching methodologies 

Purpose: To provide students with a common understanding of coaching methodologies. To explore key inter-personal coaching skills.

Learning outcomes: By studying this week the students should have:

• An understanding of core coaching methodologies
• Knowledge and self-assessment of core coaching inter-personal skills 

Week 2 Performance, psychology and the Inner Game 

Purpose: To explore the relationship between performance and psychology, using  Gallwey’s Inner Game approach and its role within coaching 

Learning outcomes: By studying this week the students should have:

• An understanding of the Inner Game. Knowledge of the importance of working ‘beneath the surface’, with clients and with themselves as part of their continuing personal development.
• An appreciation of the relationship between performance and psychology. 

Week 3 Coaching that works with belief systems

Purpose: To explore rational and irrational belief systems

Learning outcomes: By studying this week the students should have:

• Awareness of the significance of personal belief systems
• Understanding of Ellis’ A, B, C model and its use within coaching 

Week 4 Emotionally intelligent coaching / Creating a safe environment 

Purpose: To explore the concept of emotional intelligence and its role within coaching. To explore the critical importance of creating and maintaining a safe environment.

Learning outcomes: By studying this week the students should have:

• An understanding of emotional intelligence: what it is and its application within coaching
• An understanding of the need to create and maintain a safe environment for the client

Week 5 Psychological influences of coaching 

Purpose: Overview of different psychological approaches that are informing coaching – transactional analysis, cognitive behavioural, Gestalt, psychodynamic systemic. 

Learning outcomes: By studying this week the students should have:

• Awareness of different psychological  influences upon coaching

Feedback Week: 8-14 December 2025

Week 6 What Next? 

Purpose:
•    Assessment of student learning
•    Assessment of student satisfaction 
•    Encouragement of further study
 

Certificate of Participation

A Certificate of Participation will be awarded to participants who contribute constructively to weekly discussions and exercises/assignments for the duration of the course.

What our students say:

"The course exceeded my expectations - had a great group of people, instructor (Keith) let us work 'at our own pace,' the practical exercises (especially the coach/coachee practice sessions) were helpful to consolidate and apply what was learned, and the online forum discussions were helpful to gain alternate perspectives from others."

"Our Tutor did ran the course very attentive, thoughtful, structured and as well flexible in his approach. A very good coach model to learn from. We could always adress our questions. Many thanks."

"Keith has a superbly calm manner in explaining some complex theories. Plenty real life examples have made me think how sensitive and emotional intelligent Keith is. Thank you for your patience with me - work came in the way at times but your subleness kept me engaged."

"As I shared in a previous post this was my first approach to the Coaching world. I found it very interesting, specially the idea of approaching to it via different psychological approaches. As a therapist it feel like a smooth and very interesting journey. I am committed to integrating different and complementary tools as a therapist, reason why Coaching was a must! So I want to thank all the participants and a special thank you to Keith, for being a great and inspiring Coach Model to follow."

This course is open to everyone, and you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject to attend.

Our online courses are designed especially for adult learners who want to advance their personal or professional development. They are taught by tutors who are expert in both their subjects and in teaching students of all ages and experiences.

Fees

The course fee includes access to the course on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), personal feedback on your work from an expert tutor, a Certification of Participation (if you complete work and take part in discussions), and access to the class resources for two years after your course finishes.

VAT does not apply to course fees and there is no service charge (gratuities to domestic staff are left to your discretion).

Concessions

For more information on available concessions, please visit the Concessions information page on our website.

Alison Fordham Bursary

The Institute is proud to offer the Alison Fordham bursary, which is awarded to students who wish to study on one of our short online courses via our virtual learning platform, reducing the fee paid by 50%. The bursary is limited to a single award for each set of online courses.

Application criteria: 

• Applicants should set out their personal learning motivations since priority will be given to those who are returning to learning after an extended break, or have not previously engaged with fully online learning, or are seeking to use the online short course as a bridge towards undergraduate award-bearing study.    
• Applicants who can demonstrate financial need. 
• Apply here https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/bursary-application