Dr Caroline Gibson: What is health coaching supervision?

Health coaching is a rapidly growing profession, where health coaches support people to reach their health and well-being goals.  Health coaching is a challenging role for many reasons including that many coaches work in isolation, coachees bring complex issues relating to a wide range of physical and mental health issues, and coaches work in a wide variety of organisations and systems.

Navigating all these issues can be difficult and this is where health coaching supervision comes in.  Health coaching supervision offers a reflective space for coaches to discuss their experiences, challenges, and successes in a structured and supportive environment.

What is Health Coaching Supervision?

Health coaching supervision is sometimes described as ‘coaching for the coach’, which is a good summary to start from, but coaching supervision is much more than that.  Supervision is a professional development process where experienced supervisors work with coaches to  practice effectively, maintain professional standards and ethical practice, and support the coach’s development, ultimately helping coaches to support their coachees more effectively.

What happens in supervision?

1. Reflective Practice: Supervision facilitates health coaches to reflect on their practice. This reflection helps coaches to critically evaluate their methods, identify areas for improvement, and develop new strategies for client engagement and support.
2. Sharing best practice: Supervisors support coaches to work within professional and ethical frameworks, helping them navigate complex situations and maintain professional integrity. This includes maintaining boundaries, managing confidentiality, handling conflicts of interest and protecting coachee’s best interests.
3. Coach Development: Supervisors help coaches to develop their knowledge, skills and abilities through reflective practice, identifying learning needs and supporting the coach to plan ways to address these.  This continuous professional development ensures that coaches stay updated with the latest evidence-based practice and techniques.
4. Support and Well-being: Coaching can be an emotionally demanding profession. Supervision provides a space for coaches to discuss their own well-being, manage stress, and prevent burnout.  This supports coaches to ‘put their own oxygen mask on first’ so they can maintain their practice effectively.

What are the benefits of supervision?

1. Better Coachee Outcomes: When health coaches receive regular supervision they develop their competencies in coaching practice. This leads to improved satisfaction and better health outcomes for the coachee
2. Professional Growth: Supervision supports ongoing continuous learning and professional development. Coaches gain new insights and perspectives that can enhance their practice and expand their professional capabilities.
3. Increased Confidence: Regular feedback and support from a supervisor can boost a coach’s confidence. Knowing they have someone to turn to for advice and support can empower coaches to deal with challenging situations more effectively.
4. Ethical Practice: Supervision helps ensure that health coaches adhere to professional and ethical standards. This protects coachees and also enhances the credibility and professionalism of the whole coaching field.

What does supervision need to be effective?

To be effective, health coaching supervision should be structured, consistent and confidential to provide

1. Regular Sessions: Supervision should occur at regular intervals to enable ongoing support and continuous professional development.  NHS health coaches are advised to follow the NHS health coaches’ workforce development framework guidelines for accessing supervision, which state that specific coaching supervision should be monthly.
2. Qualified Supervisors: Supervisors should be experienced coaches themselves and additionally qualified in health coaching. They should possess a deep understanding of coaching principles, techniques, and ethical considerations.
3. Clear Goals: Supervision sessions should have clear objectives which are agreed with the supervisor at the beginning of sessions. These might include discussing specific client cases, exploring ethical dilemmas, or developing particular coaching skills.
4. Confidentiality: Just as with coaching, confidentiality is crucial in supervision. Coaches need to feel safe to discuss their challenges and concerns openly without fear of judgment.

How does coaching supervision help my coaching practice?

Health coaching supervision is an essential part of practice for all health coaches. It provides a supportive framework for reflective practice, skill development, ethical guidance, and coach well-being. By investing in regular supervision, health coaches can ensure they provide the highest quality care to their coachees, enhance their professional growth, and maintain their own health and satisfaction in their coaching careers. Supervision ensures that coaches are always learning, growing and providing the best possible coaching to their coachees.

How to access health coaching supervision for NHS health coaches:

Kera consultancy provides health coaching supervision sessions for all NHS health coaches.