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Coaching Psychology: Meta-theoretical perspectives and applications in multicultural contexts pp 97–118Cite as

Morality on the Executive’s Couch: Ethical Perspectives on Coaching Psychology, Theory and Praxis

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Abstract

Coaching is one of the fastest growing industries. However, ethical insights on coaching are not developing at the same rate. Even highly qualified coaches can find themselves involved in serious ethical issues, especially in a multi-cultural context. This chapter is a philosophical and normative analysis from a meta-theoretical literature review. Ethical issues are identified, questionable approaches in coaching psychology is critiqued and a model for ethical coaching in a multi-cultural context is developed under eight themes: coaching regulation, scientific foundation, normative issues, diagnostic assessments, confidentiality and conflicting interests, dependency, keeping coaching boundaries and coaching proficiency. Coaching ethically is complex and fraught with ethical issues that can easily be missed. Identification of the ethical issues in coaching psychology creates better understanding of potential ethical pitfalls and how to avoid them. This can lead to a more ethical, and thus sustainable coaching industry.

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Notes

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    ABI/INFORM, APA, databases, EBSCOhost, Emerald, JSTOR, ProQuest, SAGE and Science Direct.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Jeremias J. De Klerk

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  1. Jeremias J. De Klerk
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Correspondence to Jeremias J. De Klerk .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. OptentiaRsrchFocusAra,DepofIndPhsycology, SchlforBehaviouralScs North-West Univ, Muckleneuk, South Africa

    Llewellyn E. van Zyl

  2. OptentiaRsrchFocusAra,DepofIndPhsycology, SchlforBehaviouralScs North-West Univ, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

    Marius W. Stander

  3. Dep of Industrial Psychology & Ppl Mgmt, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Aletta Odendaal

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De Klerk, J.J. (2016). Morality on the Executive’s Couch: Ethical Perspectives on Coaching Psychology, Theory and Praxis. In: van Zyl, L., Stander, M., Odendaal, A. (eds) Coaching Psychology: Meta-theoretical perspectives and applications in multicultural contexts. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31012-1_5

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