How can coaching and coaching psychology avoid doing harm and do good for coachees, specifically those who have underlying mental health concerns? Calls to action and practical suggestions to ensure ethical practice

Non-maleficence (avoiding doing harm) and beneficence (actively doing good) are essential ethical considerations for any intervention including for coaching and coaching psychology. Whilst the authors assume ‘benevolent intent’ and that all coaches and coaching psychologists want to avoid doing harm and to positively do good, we believe that there are times when our coachees may have mental health concerns which are outwith the competency of a non-clinical coach or coaching psychologist. In our opinion paper, we outline the issues as we see them, and make urgent calls to action, that as coaches and coaching psychologists we can and must do better to safeguard the public and raise awareness of opportunity so that the coaching profession can have a powerful voice in the UK and internationally across public health, learning, education, wider society. We make recommendations to coaching and coaching psychology professional bodies in the UK and beyond to take action with regards to this vital aspect of coaching and coaching psychology governance. We also provide some practical suggestions for coaching practitioners and a case study for reflection for coaches to use for their professional development, pending action by professional bodies.