Apply Presentation - 30 minutes International Positive Psychology Association 8th IPPA World Congress 2023

Positive Health Coaching: A New, Dialogic Approach to Integrating Coaching and Positive Psychology to Support Human Flourishing (#91)

Christian J van Nieuwerburgh 1
  1. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, IRELAND, Ireland

Background

We have recently launched the world's first MSc in Positive Health Coaching at the Centre for Positive Psychology and Health at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. As part of this development, the team at the Centre have published a book (Burke et. al, 2022) setting out their definition of Positive Health. The new MSc sets out an innovative new approach to positive health coaching.

Aims

At an individual level, the aim of Positive Health Coaching is to provide empowering, non-directive support to people so that they can adopt positive lifestyles and behaviours. At a system level, the aim of Positive Health Coaching is to support clients to take more responsibility of their own health and wellbeing and to support health professionals by making additional resources available (in the form of positive health coaches) to provide better care to their communities.  

Method

The new approach to Positive Health Coaching integrates theories, interventions and research from Positive Psychology, Coaching Psychology and Lifestyle Medicine. The approach to coaching is neither completely directive nor completely non-directive. Rather, Positive Health Coaching adopts a dialogic approach (van Nieuwerburgh, Knight & Campbell, 2019) whilst maintaining the key skills and "coaching way of being" (van Nieuwerburgh, 2020). 

Results

The result is an innovative new coaching methodology for use specifically within health contexts. The presentation will share this new methodology with attendees.

Conclusion

Designed specifically for use in health contexts, Positive Health Coaching is an innovative new approach to supporting people to flourish.

  1. Burke, J., Dunne, P., Meehan, T., O'Boyle, C. & van Nieuwerburgh, C. (2022). Positive Health. London: Routledge.
  2. van Nieuwerburgh, C. (2020). An Introduction to Coaching Skills: A Practical Guide. London: Sage.
  3. van Nieuwerburgh, C., Knight, J. and Campbell, J. (2019) 'Coaching in education', in Professional coaching: Principles and practice. New York: Springer, pp.411-426.
  • Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Coaching, Health and Medicine, Self-Care
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