Yannick Jacob - An Introduction to Existential Coaching

Coaching gains a great deal of depth when it pays attention to the paradoxes of human existence and learns to work with the trials and tribulations of human existence in a philosophical manner. In this clear and introductory book Yannick Jacob shows you how this can be done.

Professor Emmy van Deurzen, PhD, MPsych, MPhil, FBPsS, CPsychol, FBACP, UKCPF, HCPCreg, author of 17 books including Existential Perspectives on Coaching and Principal at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, UK

Trained by the best in existential therapy and influenced by the leaders in existential positive psychology or second wave positive psychology (PP2.0), Yannick Jacobs book makes a unique contribution to the coaching profession by combining the depth of existential philosophy and the clarity and optimism of PP2.0. Personally, I firmly believe that all coaches, whether they are in life coaching or positive executive coaching, can benefit from Yannicks book for its refreshing positive approach to an ancient existential problem. Therefore, I highly recommend this little gem to both novice and seasoned coaches.

Dr Paul T. P. Wong, President, International Network on Personal Meaning; Originator of Existential Positive Psychology and Integrative Meaning Therapy

Coaching unsurprisingly is often fixated with goal focused conversations. But growth can happen through insight, understanding and meaning. Existential approaches allow us the grace, space and time to be with clients as they journey through these aspects of their life towards meaning and purpose. This book provides an outstanding insight into existential coaching from one of coachings new rising stars.

Professor Jonathan Passmore, University of Evora, Portugal, and Henley Business School, UK

Yannick Jacob is a true pioneer, intellectually and practically, in exploring the fertile ground at the intersection of positive psychology, existential philosophy, and coaching. This book is a wonderful distillation of his thinking and expertise, touching skilfully and insightfully upon many important topics, and will be an excellent and inspiring resource for both scholars and practitioners.

Dr Tim Lomas, author of 8 books including The Positive Power of Negative Emotions, The Happiness Dictionary and Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side of Life

Existential themes have always been at the heart of coaching after all, were all human and, coaching, whatever its focus, deals with the strangely cognitive, meaning-making, mortality-aware beast that is the human! Many coaches, though, shy away from looking at existential themes, often wrongly assuming, or even fearing, that deeper issues of meaning, purpose and our confrontation with being human, are best left to the therapist. Yannick is part of a rapidly growing movement of coaches who disagree with this dichotomy and recognise that coaching is always about being human and cannot escape the gravitational pull of the existential givens. In this book, Yannick brings to life the ideas and practices of existential coaching in a way that will allow any coach, new or seasoned, to begin feeling their way into fresh territory or to give language and theory to practices they have naturally been drawn to. A valuable and much needed book for the coaching world.

Nick Bolton, Founder & CEO, Animas Centre for Coaching

I see so many people who are struggling with problems around meaning and purpose nowadays, its almost epidemic. Thats why great coaching cant shy away from addressing existential concerns and has to deal with them in a hands-on and down-to-earth manner. This is exactly what Yannick is doing with his existential coaching and Im so glad he finally got to put all of his knowledge and experience together into this work. Bravo!

Seph Fontane Pennock, co-founder, Positive Psychology Program

This is an insightful and enlightening introduction to the emerging discipline of existential coaching thoughtfully presented by a passionate and courageous practitioner.

Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh, Executive Director of Growth Coaching International; Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology, University of East London, UK

As long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the idea that the world would be so much better if people truly and deeply contemplated what their lives are really all about. When I started researching meaning, purpose, and existential matters, I found out that, actually, people often freak out if you ask them what their lives are all about! To confront people with such a huge, boundless question can create uncertainty, doubt, even fear. People want to have some sense of safety when diving into these most deep of questions. An Introduction to Existential Coaching squarely provides a beautiful solution to this conundrum. By showing how the action-oriented structure of coaching can be used to help people celebrate, rather than fear, uncertainty, this wonderful book shows coaches and other practitioners how to cultivate the inspiration and safety people need to explore and give birth to the best their lives can be about.

Michael F. Steger, PhD, founding director, Center for Meaning and Purpose, Colorado State University, USA

Yannick does more than give a deep, new meaning to coaching, he also provides a challenging and refreshing way to view our own existence and purpose. Reading this challenged the way I think and behave, and though uncomfortable, will likely change how I coach. This book will be recommended to everyone on our team.

Bill Eckstrom, speaker, author and President, EcSell Institute

I love the existential approach. It takes you deeper into your personal meaning in life and the experience of authenticity. Combine it with a strong foundation of coaching and you get an inspiring marriage. This book is a wonderful reflection of that marriage, providing you with a clear understanding of both theory and practice within existential coaching. Whether you seek personal transformation, or the coaching of others, this book would be an essential tool in your tool-box.

Itai Ivtzan, PhD, Associate Professor, Naropa University, USA; author of Awareness is Freedom: The Adventure of Psychology and Spirituality

Yannick Jacobs book delivers on its promise to introduce his understanding of existential coaching to a wider readership. The writing is clear and accessible and Jacobs enthusiasm for the subject is evident throughout.

Professor Ernesto Spinelli, ES Associates, UK

This is a must-read for any coach, new or experienced, who wants to begin to learn more about the existential approach to their craft. Yannicks experience, expertise and passion for the topic shine through, as he presents the fundamentals of existential coaching, whilst also giving his insights into the industry as a whole.

Sasha van Deurzen-Smith, Existential Coach and Programme Leader of the MA Existential Coaching at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, UK

This book is a valuable resource to coaches seeking to go deeper with their clients. The book not only identifies the complex web of existential concerns experienced by clients, but also provides practical coaching approaches that help clients to meaningfully examine the underlying drivers of their behaviours. The book has a secondary goal of helping the reader to identify existential themes in their own life, thus refining their coaching offering.

Richard Thorby, ACC, MBA(IMD), leadership coach

In his book, An Introduction to Existential Coaching , Yannick Jacob gives us an excellent insight into and positioning of this important philosophical yet incredibly relevant approach. Existential questions are at the core of many presenting issues in coaching and this book will greatly deepen how you support psychological wellbeing in your client. The existential inquiry questions throughout the book create a rich toolkit for self-reflection and for working with others. The book prompted me to reflect on what I do and how I do it and reading it was an excellent way to reflect on my current boundaries of practice. I highly recommend this book for seasoned and new coaches alike and I will be adding it to my practitioners library. Thank you for writing this important introductory volume.