Coaching provides an opportunity for an individual to take some time out to work on an issue (or issues) that they are trying to resolve. Unlike counselling, which seeks to explain and understand feelings and behaviours, coaching is focused on determining a course of action.
Examples of situations where coaching might be useful:
- Building effective relationships
- Contemplating a career or life change
- Difficulties with communication or team-working
- Difficulties with organisation and/or time management
- Exploring alternative strategies to managing anxiety (non-therapeutic – not counselling)
- Increased self-awareness
- Leadership development
- Professional development
- Reappraising work-life balance
- Starting a new role
- Working through options in response to a particular life challenge
Coaching experts
Case managers may identify that a doctor requires coaching support. The doctor will be offered confidential, individual support sessions with a coaching expert, to enable them to develop their own approaches and solutions. The coach does not provide the answers to issues.
The first coaching session will take place face-to-face, but subsequent sessions may be carried out by telephone or video. Sessions usually last between one and a half to two hours and are scheduled about once a month, by mutual agreement. Additional sessions may be authorised according to need.
The coach and the coachee will prepare a report, setting out what work issues were addressed and what the doctor feels they have achieved by attending the sessions. This report is usually communicated back to the referrer – the content of any such communication would be agreed between the coach and coachee in advance.
The coaching experts working in the Wessex PSW are:
Contact us
PSW.WX@hee.nhs.uk
01962 690309