Some 100 delegates gathered at the annual conference of British Psychological Society’s special interest subgroup, the Special Group of Coaching Psychologists (SGCP) on 6-7 June in London.
In her opening address of the conference, Embracing Diversity and Inclusivity: Challenges and Aspirations in Coaching Psychology, SGCP chair Laura Rees-Davies positioned the vision and the objectives of the Group for the future. It was followed by three keynotes and some 20 presentations and workshops on the impact of AI on coaching, to mental health and wellbeing, supervision, innovation in delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy, aspects of identity, supporting entrepreneurship and models and technique for coaching practice, alongside poster presentations and the SGCP Awards.
Australia-based health and wellness coach trainer, Anne Cosgrove, and conference presenter said: “Coming in with the feeling that as a coach not a psychologist, I may be a bit of a fish out of water, I was delighted to see the variety of background of participants, the warm and welcoming attitude of people who were present at my presentation and the inspiration I have to keep in close contact with this group.”
Poland and UK based Barbara St Claire-Ostwald said, “The atmosphere here over the last two days has been informative, has been inspiring. I very much liked the information about the robotics and AI, in particular and how it will affect coaching. And also today, listening about diversity and inclusion, because one of the things I have noticed: the conference actually was not full of people of diversity, therefore was not very inclusive. That is my only challenge for the conference: about inviting more people who are diverse and inclusive.”
- Adina Tarry is a member of Coaching at Work’s Editorial Advisory Board, and author of Coaching with Careers and AI in Mind (2017)
- She presented on AI and coaching at the SGCP conference: http://bit.ly/31qUQ5e