Positive Psychology and Life Coaching

Abstract

This chapter defines life coaching and what sets it apart from executive coaching and from psychotherapy. It briefly describes the development of life coaching and discusses the common factors that may account for what works in different coaching models, and it offers an overview of the existing research about the effectiveness of coaching, as well as the evidence for the effects of positive psychology interventions. The four outcome studies about life coaching have indicated that coaching can improve goal attainment, enhance psychological and subjective well-being as well as resilience, and that coaching can reduce depression, stress, and anxiety. Positive psychology can provide a coherent ..