Coaching Supervision: Advancing Practice, Changing Landscapes

Coaching and mentoring supervision is a rapidly expanding field. This book is a curated collection of contemporary thinking; presenting cutting-edge contributions from international writers, leaders in the professional field, academics and practitioners who offer a range of accessible applied research, practice examples, case studies, guidelines and reflective prompts to readers. As in art galleries, some pieces require reflection – and return visits may be necessary. The work is edgy and new, and yet totally grounded in the coaching and mentoring supervisor experience, bringing pragmatic solutions to current complex challenges.

Over the last decade coaching supervision has moved from a rare and privileged audience to being common place amongst ‘best practice’ coaches. This book harnesses the current surge in curiosity, knowledge and practice in coaching and mentoring supervision and provides a collective statement of our times. Each chapter, in its highly individual way, equips us to face the demands of the VUCA environment. In turn, the book resources coaching and mentoring supervisors to support their supervisees – coaches and mentors who work with leaders, grappling with global, community and personal challenges, in this uncertain, fast moving world. Supervision for mentors is developing alongside coaching supervision and at present there appears to be no obvious distinctions with little current research focussing on the mentoring supervision experience. However, its distinctive identity is still forming. We invite mentors, and mentor supervisors, as they read these works, to consider the emerging similarities and differences in addressing requirements for mentoring supervision.

The book brings together pioneering research and practice and as such will remain current for many years. This book will be popular with experienced professionals who want to stretch and deepen their practice, keep up-to-date with current studies, challenge and catalyse their own thinking, and embrace learning from real-world practitioner examples and applied research.

Jo Birch brings 20 years’ experience providing supervision to coaches, psychotherapists and leaders. She is a passionate member of international professional, research and practice communities - previously Director, Coaching Supervision Academy and Chair, BACP Coaching. She writes and presents on supervision, ethics and cross-cultural practice.

Peter Welch is a coach, coach supervisor, thinking partner and thought leader. As co-founder of the Association of Coaching Supervisors (AOCS) he is influential in the coaching field, by supporting individuals and by contributing to organisations and publications. He draws on a rich tapestry of current thinking in coaching, change, transition and leadership development.