A growing number of clinicians are making the transition from therapist to executive coach. High-powered executives are exceptionally
receptive to the very straightforward and pragmatic approach of REBT. However, to be successful, even a REBT trained clinician
had best adapt his approach to the executive client. The primary focus needs to be on more effective and efficient job performance,
not on helping the client feel better. Although these executives believe many of the same irrational beliefs as one’s clinical
clients, the REBT coach can effectively illustrate how each of these beliefs contributes to specific job related problems
which the executive had best resolve. Teaching executives to challenge their ideas, then assigning work-related action plans,
usually results in enhanced performance, which convinces even skeptical executives that coaching is a useful endeavor. Coaching
has an advantage over therapy in that the coach can observe their client in numerous work situations (meetings, presentations,
performance reviews) and give constructive feedback, and actually monitor additional progress. It is an exciting field that
many clinicians find extremely challenging and stimulating.
Keywords consulting - REBT - executive coaching - conflict resolution - CBT
Dr. William D. Criddle, MBA is a managerial psychologist and executive coach in independent practice, based in Seattle, WA,
USA. He is a Fellow of the Albert Ellis Institute in New York City.