It is important coaches recognise when to make a referral to a GP, clinical psychologist or other specialist help, emphasised Picheta. “They need to recognise stress and consider the past history and pervasiveness of symptoms in their clients.”
Where coaches have multiple clients they can provide an important feedback loop to the organisation, on a strictly non-attributable basis, she said: “This can inform senior management about organisational practices and conditions which may be contributing to raised levels of stress. In this way, stress is framed as a systemic, and not just an individual, issue.”
She pointed out that coaches get stressed too, “which is why practices such as supervision are so vital”.
Kristina Gyllensten and Professor Stephen Palmer, “Calming influence” www.coaching-at-work.com/2005/11/ 04/calming-influence-2/
www.coaching-at-work.com/2009/ 03/06/being-here/
Coaching at Work, Volume 6, Issue 6