Abstract

Existential philosophies are concerned with reflecting on life and the human condition, helping us to think critically and creatively about the challenges of our lives and how best to meet them. This agenda-setting text illustrates how these ideas can be brought to bear on the practice of coaching.
Existential Perspectives on Coaching shows how philosophical concepts can be used to illuminate clients' concerns, conflicts and life choices, and illustrates different ways of helping clients to take stock, reconsider their options and find a new path. Bringing together contributions from leading figures in the existential coaching field, the chapters are divided into three parts:
• Part I outlines the essential values which underpin the existential approach and provides a clear framework for coaching existentially.
• Part II explores the wide variety of settings in which existentially informed coaching can be used, from leadership and career development to life coaching.
• Part III demonstrates how existential ideas can be used alongside other coaching approaches, such as NLP, CBT and Attachment Theory.
With a clear, practice-focused approach, this text provides a robust foundation for existential coaching and is essential reading for all coaches, trainees, and those interested in the existential approach.
EMMY VAN DEURZEN Professor of Psychotherapy at Schiller International University, UK, and an Honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield, where she co-directs the Centre for the Study of Conflict and Reconciliation. She directs the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in London, UK, as well as the Existential Academy Ltd. Emmy founded the Society for Existential Analysis, and co-founded the International Collaborative of Existential Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
MONICA HANAWAY Director of The CH Group, Community and Corporate Harmony Ltd., and a practising psychotherapist, coach and mediator. She is a lecturer and supervisor at Regent's College, London, UK, and the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling.

"The difference between existential coaching and counselling is helpfully addressed; the book could be of great value to those practitioners grappling with 'what is the difference?' Definitely worth pursuing and publishing, think it will be an excellent book – I look forward to reading it. I think it has great potential to reach a wide audience, and making it very reader friendly both to the researcher and academic as well as to the practitioner working in a number of different areas, and importantly as a book that encourages the practitioner to think about her or his own practice – this will be great." - Anni Townend, Leadership Consultant and Coach, UK

"I was impressed by the breadth of the material available and the apparent depth into which the book will go. It is likely to appeal to experienced/ qualified coaches. The overall structure of the book looks user-friendly and clear. Overall this looks like a well thought out and interesting text, addressing a largely neglected subject. It is likely to find significant demand as a recommended text for post-graduate students of coaching, experienced coaches and other practitioners, as interest in the subject grows." - Richard Andrews, Coaching Supervisor, Create the future, UK

'I think this title is an interesting offer and one I might enjoy reading. The topic is one we cover on the course but only in one lecture. There has been some interest in existential perspectives in the area of coaching; a very small number of papers (published & conferences) but in practice terms the approach is seen as a model from therapy and thus of minority interest. In some respects the book has no competition as there is no title focusing on this small area of practice' - Jonathan Passmore, Lecturer, School of Psychology, UEL, UK

"The authors are right to say that the book would be unique and the coverage from an existential perspective is much deeper than what is currently available. I believe in the use of existential perspectives in coaching, both for a coach and for supervision of coaches and draw on this perspective in my own coaching. However, existential approaches are not renowned for being easy to understand, the writings of many of the key theorists are extremely challenging. To that end this book will require writing of a very high calibre with limited jargon to ensure it makes the ideas accessible to the widest possible audience." - Caroline Horner, Coach, iCoach Academy, UK