Ethical Practice

Know where the line is.

When you start coaching, you will encounter situations where the right response isn't obvious.

A client may disclose something deeply personal. They may ask you what they should do. Their employer may want to know what was discussed. You may realise that what you're hearing is beyond your role as a coach.

You need to know what to do.

As part of your training, you'll learn how to handle these situations professionally, confidently and ethically.

You will learn how to:

Know when coaching is appropriate

Understand when coaching can help a client and when coaching isn't the right intervention.

Recognise the boundary between coaching and therapy

You'll learn what is within your role as a coach, what isn't, and when you should consider referral to another professional.

Handle difficult client disclosures

Know how to respond when a client raises issues involving mental health, trauma, abuse, addiction, crisis or other serious concerns.

Protect confidentiality

Understand what you can promise a client, how confidentiality works and what happens when someone else is paying for the coaching.

Work with corporate clients

Learn how to navigate the relationship between the employee, coach and employer without compromising the client's trust.

Handle requests for advice

Learn how to respond when a client says:

"What would you do if you were me?"

You'll develop ways to maintain the client's autonomy without simply telling them what to do.

Maintain professional boundaries

Know how to handle contact between sessions, WhatsApp messages, gifts, personal relationships, dual roles and other boundary issues.

Manage conflicts of interest

Understand what to do when you are coaching someone you manage, work with, know personally or have another professional relationship with.

Work with different values and perspectives

Learn how to remain professional when a client's beliefs, decisions or values are very different from your own.

Know when to seek help

You don't have to know everything.

You'll learn when to use supervision, consultation or referral rather than trying to handle a situation beyond your competence.

Most importantly, you'll learn to think ethically.

Ethical coaching isn't about memorising a code of conduct.

It's about being able to stop in a difficult moment and ask:

What's in the client's best interests?

What is within my competence?

What are my responsibilities?

What boundaries apply here?

Do I need supervision or another professional?

By the end of your training, you'll have a much clearer understanding of how to protect your client, protect yourself and maintain the professional standards expected of a coach.

You'll be better prepared for the situations that don't appear in the textbook.