A band of former executives of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Coaching division have struck out on their own to form a new professional body for coach-therapists.
Already, the LinkedIn group of the Association of Integrative Coach-Therapist Professionals (AICTP) has more than 200 members, including from the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and mainland Europe. The AICTP is not seeking to be a standard-setting body “at this stage” but “to get people talking about what they’re doing and what it means for clients”, said Debra Jinks, founding chair of the AICTP.
She said: “We aim to offer support and guidance to practitioners who combine the theory and practice of therapy and coaching. We want to offer coach-therapists a grassroots environment where they can share ways to improve their practice, gain increased security, safety and support in the way they choose to work, and a sense of community.”
Last issue, Coaching at Work reported on a string of resignations from the BACP Coaching’s executive, including Jinks, fellow AICTP founding directors Keren Smedley (AICTP deputy chair) and Jayne Hildreth. Gordon Jinks and Nash Popovic have key roles and projects. All are still members of the BACP.
One of those resigning told Coaching at Work that their resignation was prompted by a feeling that the BACP was not as committed to embracing coaching and creating learning, networks and resources for members as they were personally.
The integration of coaching and therapy is at the core of practice for the AICTP, as its name makes clear. Some members of the BACP Coaching division felt they were apologising for wanting to offer the client the best of both.
Linda Aspey, who has been invited as honorary president of the AICTP, said: “Integrative practice has been going on for some time – this is borne out by research and anecdotal evidence from coaches, counsellors and therapists alike, yet because there has been so much debate about ‘the differences’, it’s masked the reality out there. Many just see their clients’ needs as being on a continuum, and so that’s how they work. There is much to explore around the ethics and the practice from many angles, and with integration at its core, AICTP aims to lead the way in this important arena.”
The BACP declined to comment on the new body, but said: “Coaching practice, supervision and training have evolved over time to become an important practice area for our members, and our role is to ensure and promote coaching that is ethical, effective and professional for the wellbeing and enhancement of both individuals and organisations.”
Volume 7, issue 4