Special Group in Coaching Psychology

The Special Group in Coaching Psychology (SGCP) aims to provide psychologists with a means of sharing research as well as practical experiences that relate to the psychology of coaching.

The SGCP definition of coaching psychology is 'the scientific study and application of behaviour, cognition and emotion to deepen our understanding of individuals’ and groups’ performance, achievement and wellbeing, and to enhance practice within coaching'.

Our vision is to be recognised as a leading authority on coaching psychology and to be central to the development of the profession. We aim to promote the development of coaching psychology as a professional activity and to clarify the benefits of psychological approaches within coaching practice.

We are committed to fostering excellence in coaching practice via:

Conferences and events
Publications
Sharing best practice
Supporting research
Representing views
Leading on professional development in coaching psychology

The SGCP is formed of a main committee and supported by members who sit on Sub-Committees and working party groups.

The committee is made up of volunteers who are committed to the development of the profession, and to providing our members with numerous valuable benefits, including:

CPD events
Annual conference
Reduced rates at other events
Ethics advice
Two free publications

History of the SGCP
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The SGCP was formed as a result of lobbying by the Coaching Psychology Forum (CPF). CPF originally started as an internet based forum.

It was founded in 2002 in response to concerns about untrained or poorly trained coaches, and the related need to promote improved standards of practice for the benefit of the profession of coaching, coaches, their clients and the public at large. In February 2003 CPF formed a working group and petitioned for the British Psychological Society to set up a group that supported psychologists who were involved in coaching practice, to enable them to focus on deepening understanding and awareness of coaching psychology as an area of psychological practice.

After almost 2 years, on 15 December 2004, the Executive Committee of the SGCP was established at the inaugural Annual General Meeting of the Special Group in Coaching Psychology. Since the development of the SGCP, coaching psychology is developing a strong professional identity, with currently eight coaching psychology professional bodies in existence around Europe and Internationally.

A more indepth history of the SGCP is given in an article published in the first hard copy of The Coaching Psychologist in July 2005 (page 5).

Authors who wish to include these details in books or articles are asked to reference this article as the accurate copyrighted documention of the SGCP history.

History of the SGCP