William, Patrick (2015) “Supervision or Peer Consultation: A Op-Ed Blog,” Library of Professional Coaching. https://libraryofprofessionalcoaching.com/concepts/strategy/future-of-coaching/supervision-or-peer-consultation-an-op-ed-blog/
In the last few years there have been increasing opinions expressed about the need (or not) for supervision of coaches. From what I see, much of this seems to have emerged from European (the European Mentoring and Coaching Council – EMCC, the Association for Coaching – AC) and Australian coaching associations. The International Coach Federation (ICF), in an attempt to be globally sensitive, seems to have fallen for a false expression of this need for supervision??? and is considering incorporating coach supervision as highly suggested (but not required) for both new and experienced coaches.
While this is not a problem if it is not required, it may set a confusing and misguided precedent in the coaching industry or certification of professional coaches. In my career as a psychologist (a term that cannot be used in the USA unless you have a doctorate AND are licensed in your state locale) we were required to be supervised. Due to the fact that our 2000 required postdoctoral counseling hours were either in a mental health center or contracted with a therapist group, we were treating those with diagnosed mental disturbance (the medical model). Psychologists were required to have 2000 hours of supervision before sitting for the state licensing exam. The supervision included case review and guidance, and often a ‘behind the mirror” observation of the therapy session with a team watching behind a one-way mirror with the patient/client knowledge. Coaches do not require supervision in an unlicensed profession, but peer consultation is highly suggested and encouraged all along the way.
Mallett, Lisa (2015) “An Independent External Coach’s Perspective on the Trend of Coaching Supervision” Library of Professional Coaching. https://libraryofprofessionalcoaching.com/marketing/an-independent-external-coachs-perspective-on-the-trend-of-coaching-supervision/
I have been a successful, self-employed “single shingle” executive coach since 2002, and I keep abreast of trends and developments in our industry. I have been closely following and researching the coaching supervision trend since July 2014, and have the following thoughts to offer – that may be of particular interest to other experienced, self-employed, independent external coaches who work under contract to various businesses and organizations.
1. The coaching supervision “trend” is currently the subject of great debate – especially within the main professional/regulatory body for coaches, the ICF. There is currently no real agreement on a clear definition of coaching supervision (exactly what it is and who is truly qualified to “supervise”), nor can it be clearly articulated (or demonstrated) as to how it is separate and distinct from mentor coaching, or even just highly skilled regular coaching. There is no research or validated information to prove that coaching supervision ensures high performance or provides additional quality assurance – with particular respect to external coaches who are independent business people/contractors (versus internal, salaried coaches, whose employers may choose to “supervise” them).
2. If a contracting employer were to require contracted external coaches to undergo coaching supervision (the pro-supervision faction is out there telling employers they should only contract with supervised external coaches), there would be serious implications to consider – such as the significant economic cost for the external coach who would have to pay out of their own pocket for the service, plus forgo income as they cannot be delivering coaching services while being supervised (unlike an internal coach who is getting paid their wage while they are being supervised, and who does not have to pay anything for their own supervision).
Margaret Cary
April 25, 2023 at 11:57 am
Thank you, Bill. This information is a gold mine! -Maggi