The Handbook of Existential Coaching Practice

Monica Hanaway presents a complete introduction to existential coaching, focusing on how coaches can incorporate key skills in all aspects of their practice.

In The Handbook of Existential Coaching Practice, Monica Hanaway presents a complete introduction to existential coaching, focusing on how coaches can incorporate key skills in all aspects of their practice. Practical and theoretical, the book explores how existential thought can offer a fresh re-orientation of coaching practice that embraces uncertainty, working towards a deeper understanding of the client's world and the challenges they face in the twenty-first century.

This comprehensive guide is presented in two parts, bringing together theoretical coaching models and Hanaway's extensive practical experience. In Part 1, Hanaway begins by clearly exploring what is meant by existential coaching and places it in the context of contemporary coaching culture, illuminating the key philosophical elements of the existential coaching approach and the differences between existential coaching and existential psychotherapy. In Part 2, Hanaway draws from her own experience and presents case studies to demonstrate how coaches can build relationships with clients, enabling them to face existential dilemmas in their organisational and social life to become their authentic self. She introduces key existential concepts relating to authenticity, relatedness, freedom, responsibility, values and beliefs, and encourages the reader to explore how these are relevant to the coaching process. The book includes case studies, questioning and reflective exercises to encourage development of good practice and build the skills necessary all the way through a coaching relationship, from contracting to ending. *

* This is the first guide of its kind, with Hanaway playing an instrumental role in the development and growth of existential coaching as well as designing the one of the world's first University-accredited MA programmes. It will be essential reading for coaches in practice and in training, as well as students and academics of applied philosophy and psychology.

'Monica Hanaway provides a boutique style of coaching in several different environments from a private space in a clinic, to the wider corporate world, up to the retirement and post-retirement stage. Her attitude to the 'what now?' or 'what next?' offers a fresh and versatile way of doing coaching, which is non-prescriptive, not overly reliant on technique, and where the subject precedes the object. Having practiced existential coaching for many years, Hanaway describes how the phenomenological-ontological space of exploration, transforms life as to become truly worth living. Even when enough money is earned, goals are reached, career changes are considered, CHOICE becomes the essence for change. The model is shown to work well in both the professional and personal spheres.' - Claire Francica, Existential Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Malta 'Monica has a special ability to draw out disparate views, provide constructive challenge and provide innovative perspectives that allow individuals to reach consensus. In the context of our fast-paced business, Monica's coaching practices have proved invaluable, helping to create close-knit and highly performing teams. Having had the pleasure of watching her expertly coax out the underlying issues in the driving behaviour of passionate and knowledgeable people, I am a full convert to her approach to both team and self-improvement. I would have no reservations in recommending this book to anyone wishing to use coaching to develop their leadership skills.' - John Davison; CEO FCG Guernsey 'Existential Coaching skills are very practical and yet immensely inspired instruments for coaches to use in addressing people's difficulties in living. Monica Hanaway has been fine tuning these skills for many years and you will find this summary to the point and indispensable to your coaching practice.' - Prof. Emmy van Deurzen PhD, MPsych, MPhil, FBPsS, CPsychol, FBACP, UKCPF, HCPCreg, Principal NSPC 'Coaching provides businesses, from large corporates to small, privately owned firms, with a distinctive edge. External coaching offers a unique viewpoint that simply cannot be readily achieved from an in-house position. Working creatively with people and facilitating positive, often necessary change, highlighting skills and co-creating a vision that fits into the values of the people and the business alike this is priceless, no matter what one's role in an organisation. Monica writes from the distinct perspective of a successful business leader who, recognising the need for external feedback of a multi-disciplinary approach, emerged as a highly skilled and effective coach. Drawing on her experience as a coach, mediator, psychotherapist, supervisor, lecturer and following decades of teaching and mentoring, this book provides the framework for the application and key tools and techniques for coaching from an Existential perspective. Monica passes this knowledge on in the most effective way in her new book. As an attendee of her workshops, I have witnessed her expertability to tease out the significant, introspective questions that gently challenge one to reflect upon core values or behaviours that may subtly conflict with the goals of the business. The impact upon our Practice in just one day was invaluable, and I have to attribute this to the exclusivity of the Existential approach to coaching. Our staff will read this and continue to engage in the reflective practices that will enable them to develop as effective mentors to their colleagues. Their efficacy in utilising these skills today is primarily due to the external support they have received. Thus, I would highly recommend this book to students, coaches, managers and anyone wishing to progress effectively and ethically in business.' - Marni Eisenberg; MA, MBACP, UKCP, MPED, IRegNutrClinical Director & Therapist Queens Road Practice, Guernsey 'Coaching is of great value to all leaders. Leaders are responsible for their companies and must exhibit many qualities, such as honesty, trustworthiness and ethics. Leaders must display the company's values and be responsible for, and inspire, others' success in the company. This is quite a challenge, especially for those new to positions of responsibility. Whether leaders are born or made is an eternal question, but what is certain is that coaching helps leaders to unlock their potential and develop their own authentic style. External coaches can offer neutral impartial advice and insights to develop this leadership potential. Coaching outcomes assist ambitions to becoming an effective leader and are personal to individuals, but include: Focusing of values driven leadership and decision making Improving self-confidence and human effectiveness Learning to trust and delegate to your team Developing healthy and sustainable work life balance and relationships Having effective leaders gives the company a competitive advantage in the industry and a strong sense of purpose, which impacts the bottom line and value of the company. Monica draws on over 20 years' experience as a senior leader, strategist and policy maker, having had a team of over 500 working to her and managing a budget of over £15million. Her unique, quietly spoken, flexible yet firm, existential approach goes deeply to the root of issues, drawing on her experience of mediating, dispute resolution and coaching. This existential approach provides a unique focus on human life, that is so relevant to coaching. The steps are laid out within the pages of the 'Handbook of Existential Coaching Practice' in easy to follow and implement chapters, which is useful to new leaders and experienced leaders alike.' -Ben Virgo; Director HS, London, UK 'Everyone can benefit through the use of a coach. In business, such a relationship is becoming incr…