Cognitive Behavioural Coaching

The ABCDE Approach

Described as the centrepiece of CBC

The ABCDE Model

A B C D E

Reference: Dorothy Spry – Cognitive Behavioural Pocketbook 2010

Activating/Event or situation

- that yourClient faces

Beliefs Consequences Dispute Exchange

- thoughts and beliefs your client holds about A

- behaviour exhibited internally and externally resulting from B

- beliefs and thoughts – are they rational or irrational?-

- beliefs and thoughts into new balanced ones

Ten Common Thinking Stylesor Cognitive Distortions

1. Over-Generalising2. Filtering3. Magnifying4. All or Nothing Thinking5. Disqualifying the Positive6. Jumping to Wrong Conclusions7. Labelling8. Emotional Reasoning9. Shoulds and Musts10. Personalisation and Blame

Credited to David Burns

Using Socratic Questioning

Use Socratic questions to explore the reality.

The process involves the coach asking a series of questions in order to explore the reality of the situation, rather than a distorted version of it.

Socratic Questioning

• What was going through your mind before you started to feel this way?

• What images or memories do you have of this situation?• What would you say to someone else in this situation?• Are you using unhelpful thinking styles, e.g. all or

nothing thinking or labeling?• What would be a better way of looking at this?• What other thinking can you adopt now you have the

evidence that your thinking is unhelpful?

EXCHANGE – Beliefs and thoughts into balanced ones

Negative thought /belief Change to Realistic balancing statement

If my presentation doesn’t go as planned, I am useless and can’t do anything right

I plan to prepare and practice for the presentation. If I fluff a line it is not the end of the world

I’ve got to criticize my employees’ ideas

I will offer supportive ideas

I am a failure if I get it wrong

I have done a lot of good work in the past; if I make a mistake it doesn’t mean I’m a failure

Balanced Thoughts Sheet

Final Thoughts

• Very powerful coaching model – Especially for unlocking limiting beliefs and behaviours

• Coach needs a high level of unconscious competence

• High level of “pure” and “clean” language and reflection required

• Caution! – Don’t become the Coachee’s counsellor.