A Guide to Formulation in Coaching

'Formulation in coaching is an art that has long been underrepresented in the literature, yet it is essential to understanding and guiding clients effectively. This book shines a light on the often-overlooked process of formulation, offering practical guidance for coaches to systematically make sense of their clients' experience and organise their approach accordingly. With clear examples and thoughtful analysis, it empowers coaches to integrate this powerful tool into their work. A must-read for coaches seeking to deepen their practice and enhance their effectiveness and a marvellous contribution to the field!'

Dr Marc Kahn, chief stategy & sustainability officer at Investec Plc, senior associate at Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership and visiting professor at Middlesex University

''This book is an important resource, providing experienced and beginning coaches a powerful way of thinking about their work. Disciplined case formulation provides a roadmap for coaches to understand and make sense of the complex dynamics with their clients. It also helps clients to navigate the world of development which is often new, scary and uncharted for them. Lane, Corrie and Kovacs are master coaches who move seamlessly between theory and practice. It is a delight to watch them dance.'

Joshua Ehrlich,Global Leadership Council

'When I first encountered the idea of formulation in coaching, it landed for me as overly diagnostic and embedded in a positivist history of psychological practice. As a coach, I didn't want to 'make up my mind' about the client. Over recent years however the concept has both developed within the specific context of the coaching discipline and, perhaps, I have learned a little more about how my own mind works. I now see formulation as something that in some form is happening all the time, and therefore that to bring its mix of intuitions, assessments and judgments systematically to awareness has to be a good thing. In this respect, it relates to reflexivity which I have long and wholeheartedly endorsed as a practice in coaching. So there is every reason better to understand the concept, its issues and its various implementations so that as practitioners we can use it to the best effect in our own practice. And one couldn't wish for an explanation from more experienced contributors than David, Sarah and Louise. I look forward to learning more.'

Peter Jackson, principal lecturer coaching and mentoring / HRM, director international centre for coaching and mentoring studies, Oxford Brookes Business School

'This book makes a great contribution to coaching! For a coach to widen their repertoire in order to offer most help to their coachee, they need an approach to deciding which approach under which circumstances. The concept of case formulation offers just that! Another great set of insights from Lane, Corrie and Kovacs!'

Bob Garvey, managing partner with The Lio Partnership, consultant with Coachmentoring Ltd

'Case formulation, while widely used in many aspects of psychology, is an under developed concept in coaching. The authors, having pioneered the development of the concept in coaching, have produced a book which I hope will become part of the canon of work in coaching. Through case conceptualisation the coach can better both understand themself, their client and the work they engage with. The result is improved client outcomes and a deeper insight about ourselves as an active agent in the coaching process. Detailed, definitive and developmental, this is a book to add to your coaching library.'

Jonathan Passmore,profesor Henley Business School & EZRA Coaching LHH

'This is a colossus of a book, fascinating, challenging and rewarding, well researched and with a breadth that makes it stand out. I was absorbed and engaged from the beginning – with its narrative and different style of introduction from the authors - to the end, and grateful that such an important topic was being presented to aid the development of coaching practice. “A Guide to Formulation in Coaching” brings together much disparate thinking in the field and draws it into a coherent framework. It has a range of case studies to make it come alive and it is rich in resources including excellent questions, and themes such as understanding the role of power and different worldviews. The 4Ps framework (Positionality, Purpose, Perspective and Process), a development of the original 3Ps I have drawn from for many years, is an excellent addition to practitioners and trainers alike.'

Eve Turner,author, researcher, accredited master executive coach and master supervisor, co-founder of the Climate Coaching Alliance, founder of the Global Supervisors' Network, former Chair, APECS (Association for Professional Coaching and Supervision). 2023 EMCC Global Special President's Award for contributions to supervision and society

'As coaches, we must relentlessly sharpen and elevate our craft given the increased competition and the rise of AI coaching bots. Mastering formulation offers us another powerful tool in our kit to better understand clients, design impactful interventions, and drive meaningful change. This book provides cutting-edge insights and practical applications of formulation that will enhance your effectiveness and refine your coaching approach. If you're serious about staying ahead, this book is a necessity.'

Brian O Underhill, Ph.D, PCC, founder and CEO Coach Source LLC. Author of Executive Coaching for Results- The Definitive Guide to Developing Organizational Leaders

'By introducing a fourth P – Positionality, this revision is a most welcome addition for enhancing the universally applied 3P approach of Purpose, Perspective and Process. Through encouraging reflection and examination of practice the 4P framework stimulates us to determine how we and our clients influence our work together when attempting to function in the complex world in which we operate. I’ve appreciated the advantages gained in developing my practice by applying the 3P framework and encouraged coaches in training to adopt the same approach. Formulation with the creation of Positionality acts as a productive conduit for seeking the rewards realised by the deep reflection on practice offered with this approach. What I find particularly helpful in emphasising ways of applying Formulation to practice are the case studies . These offer scenarios that guide and inform how the revised framework challenges us to identify a unique way of explaining our offering as coaches and to reassure clients of the benefits of working with us. The construction of the text offering a compilation of methodologies from a range of contributors brings variety and versality and succeeds in encouraging the adoption of Formulation. A fully recommended addition to coaching literature.'

Dr Lise Lewis, executive and relational leadership coach, coach supervisor

'A Guide to Formulation in Coaching is a misleading title. While it deals fully and excellently with the process of formulation or case conceptualisation in coaching, this book is so much more. It is both an eminently scholarly and genuinely practical account of a wide range of coaching approaches that will benefit practicing coaches and the users of coaching alike. For practicing coaches, it provides a wealth of information enabling the coach to reflect on and implement their chosen theories and approaches to coaching. For those who purchase and manage coaching engagement, this book provides an excellent source of information to help identify coaching approaches that might be useful for their needs, and a guide that might help them evaluate the progress of coaching in a more sophisticated and ultimately effective way. I heartily endorse this book and will be setting it as a key text in our Masters of Coaching Psychology course at the University of Sydney.'

Michael Cavanagh, coaching psychology unit, University of Sydney

'For any coach striving to anchor their practice on theoretical grounded, evidence-based scientist-practitioner models and research, this book will prove to be a valuable resource. At no point do the authors prescribe a model or a way of coaching. Instead, they offer the coach a formulation framework that will enable the coach to make explicit the foundational assumptions and worldviews to which the coach and client subscribe, to explore and adopt the perspectives most relevant to the situation and to define the purpose of the coaching intervention. In so doing, they enable the coach to become a scientist-practitioner. I highly recommend this book. The formulation approach has been the foundation of my work and the two books I authored.'

Lloyd Chapman, D.Prof, MBA executive coach. Author of 'The Evidence-Based Practitoner Coach. Understanding the Integrated Learning Process and Integreated Experintial Coaching, Becoming an Executive Coach