Other Psychological Influences (Emotional, Psychoanalysis)

Delving into Additional Psychological Influences

Beyond the cognitive, systemic and humanistic streams, coaching has also selectively integrated concepts and tools from other relevant psychological approaches.

Two of these, emotional psychology and, to a lesser extent and with important nuances, psychoanalysis, provide valuable insights into internal aspects of the individual that can influence his or her process of change and development.

Understanding these additional influences allows the coach to have a more complete vision of the conceptual tools at his disposal, although always applying them within the specific framework of coaching and not as therapy.

Emotional Psychology: Awareness and Affective Management

Emotional psychology is specifically dedicated to the study of emotions, exploring their nature, their consequences on thought and behavior, and the various ways to modulate or manage them.

The main objective of applying principles of emotional psychology in coaching is to help the coachee become aware of his or her own emotional states.

This involves learning to identify what they are feeling, understanding the possible causes and effects of those emotions, and developing the ability to control or regulate them in a constructive way.

The ultimate goal is to promote the client's emotional well-being, understanding that healthy emotional management is essential to make clear decisions, maintain motivation and overcome obstacles on the way to their goals.

The coach facilitates this awareness and exploration of regulation strategies, without entering into a deep therapeutic analysis.

Psychoanalysis: Exploration of the Unconscious and Specific Tools

Psychoanalysis, on the other hand, focuses its study on the unconscious mental processes of the person, those that operate outside the immediate consciousness and that can sometimes generate discomfort or dysfunctional behavior patterns.

It is crucial to emphasize that coaching does not carry out therapeutic processes similar to those of psychoanalysis.

It does not seek to explore past traumas in depth or make complex interpretations of the unconscious.

However, coaching does make use of some tools inspired or derived from the psychoanalytic tradition, adapting them to its own context and objectives.

Examples of these tools include free association, which consists of inviting the coachee to express uncensored thoughts in order to reveal underlying connections.

Another tool is transference analysis, observing how patterns of past relationships may manifest in the coach-coachee relationship, offering clues about interpersonal dynamics.

These tools are used in an ad hoc and pragmatic approach, always in the service of awareness and progress toward the coachee's goals, not as a therapeutic end in itself.

Summary

Emotional psychology helps the coachee to become aware of his or her emotional states, identifying and regulating his or her feelings in a constructive way. The goal is emotional well-being for clear decision making.

Psychoanalysis studies unconscious mental processes. It is crucial to note that coaching is not therapy nor does it explore deep traumas.

However, coaching adapts some tools of psychoanalysis with a pragmatic approach. Examples include free association and transference analysis.