First release of life coaching results

Sep 25, 2003

Life coaching has grown substantially in the past few years with considerable media coverage worldwide. However, to date there has been minimal research undertaken to test its validity and effectiveness.

Despite increased public interest and demand for life coaching services, psychologists have been slow to present themselves as possessing the special knowledge and skills applicable to life coaching and have also been slow to undertake research in this area.

Now a research team from the Illawarra Institute of Mental Health at the University of Wollongong, with support from the Coaching Psychology Unit at the University of Sydney, has begun the process of evaluating the effectiveness of life coaching.

Results of two successful life coaching group programs will be released this week at a celebration for coaching participants at the Northfields Clinic, University of Wollongong. These programs were facilitated and researched by post-graduate Clinical Psychology doctoral student, Suzy Green.

About 50 Wollongong people participated and made significant progress towards their goals.

Ms Green said results would also reveal significant increases in the participants' well-being.

The research project was conducted under supervision from Dr Lindsay Oades, Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong and Dr Anthony Grant, Director of the Coaching Psychology Unit, University of Sydney.

The study was the first wait-list control study completed on the effectiveness of life coaching. Ms Green has been awarded a Gallup travel grant to present the findings at the International Positive Psychology Summit in Washington DC in early October.

Media please note: Before her departure next week, Ms Green can be contacted on 0412 427373 for any further information.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128