ETHICAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE PROFESSIONAL COACHING PROFESSION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR SOLUTIONS

Abstract

A professional coach is the person who enables the service recipient to set their goals and take
action, and carries out supportive activities in this context. Since the 1950s, studies on professional
coaching have been carried out all over the world, and the ethical codes of the profession have been
determined. In this profession, which is carried out in a one-to-one reciprocal relationship with
people, it is important to know the ethical rules specific to the profession and to be aware of this
responsibility. However, there are various ethical problems related to the profession.
The aim of this study is to determine the ethical problems encountered in the profession and to
develop solutions for these problems. In this context, two different focus group studies were
conducted. The first group is the representatives of international coaching organizations ICF
(International Coaching Federation), AC (Association for Coaching) and EMCC (European
Mentoring & Coaching Council) that have representation office in Türkiye. Second group the
members of Specialized Coaches Association (UKD) which is the only national association in the
field of coaching in Türkiye. The interviews were evaluated by content analysis method.
As a result, it has been determined that issues such as people who do not have any coaching training
or certificate present themselves as coaches in the sector, and that the service recipients do not
question the competencies of the coaches, cause ethical problems, and solutions developed in this
context have been presented.