Coaching in the grey space, exploring boundaries, ethics and complexity

How can I and other coaches improve our practice whilst working ethically and managing boundaries in the grey space as we work with clients?

This thesis explores the boundaries of coaching and therapy, and the moments when they intersect.

This study aims to seek understanding of the lived experience, collaboratively exploring the differences and similarities of how I, and other coaches of various levels, expertise and competency, navigate this grey space. Furthermore, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of how we as coaches can negotiate this complex terrain, to improve the management of boundaries and ethics, both for coaches within the practice and to safeguard coachees/clients. The enquiry considers the experiences when working with coachees/clients on stress management, resilience and personal development, particularly focusing on moments where the boundaries between therapy and coaching may intersect.

An action research enquiry was used whereby a process of cycles of action and enquiry took place, and data was analysed using Constructionist Thematic Analysis (CTA).

Additionally, a self-study, drawing on a first-person action enquiry, was incorporated consisting of a retrospective critical reflection and drawing on personal narrative enquiry informed by an autoethnography approach into myself as practitioner and researcher.