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This month the ICF published its updated Core Competencies for the first time since 2019, and we wanted to share what these developments might mean for you. Importantly, the update involves incremental developments; it is not an overhaul. Here are some answers to questions you might be asking yourself: What are the ICF core competencies […]
Validation is a practical and fun guide to one of the most overlooked interpersonal skills: making others feel seen and understood. Drawing from her skills as a clinical psychologist, and with a focus on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Caroline Fleck dismantles the misconception that validation is simply agreeing or comforting. Instead, validation is shown to strengthen […]
All of us at Barefoot keep learning. We regularly put ourselves in new learning situations – being coached, supervised, and attending courses as delegates. We do it because we believe you can’t facilitate someone else’s learning if you’ve stopped learning yourself. We are grateful to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), whose high standards require us […]
Public speaking is a frequent yet challenging task for most. A 2023 poll found that nearly half of the British public (49%) fear speaking in front of people, and the public speaking training industry is booming in response. Yet, in today’s era of uncertainty and change, perhaps we should shift our focus away from speaking […]
Some years ago, I experienced a significant loss. Since then, I’ve spent my time learning about grief and loss so that I can provide grief coaching for individuals, and grief education for coaches and other professionals. Some call this ‘making your mess your mission’ or ‘turning your pain into purpose.’ If I am honest, I […]
Last week, we celebrated International Coaching Week 2025 – we took some time at Barefoot to pause, reflect and reconnect – with the roots of coaching, our own journey, and where we’re heading next. We started the week by exploring the history of coaching. From Socratic dialogue to the rise of coaching psychology, from early […]
Over the past couple of decades, the original term Impostor Phenomenon has mutated into being a syndrome. It feels very different to be told you have a syndrome than to learn you are experiencing a phenomenon. At Barefoot, we’ve been guilty of adopting the ‘S word’—but we’re now keen to resist the pathologisation of this […]
Throughout 2025, we’ll be shining a light on some of the many theories, models, and concepts that form the foundation of our ICF accredited Flagship Coach Training Programme. But that’s not all. We’ll also share techniques and approaches from our other coaching programmes Certificate in Coaching Supervision, Team Coaching Practitioner Programme, and Grief Coaching. Drawing […]
I have been reflecting on my commitment to coaching supervision and it has taken me on a trip down memory lane. Here is an extract from “The Coaching Circular” – a magazine for Barefooters which I launched in 2006 and here is an article I wrote for the ICF in 2015. Both demonstrating my belief […]
How Are You Planning for 2025? For ICF-accredited coaches, maintaining your credential requires ongoing professional development. Every three years, credentialed coaches must earn 40 Continuing Coach Education (CCE) points to meet the International Coaching Federation’s (ICF) renewal requirements. CCE points are designed to ensure coaches remain informed, ethical, and effective in their practice, while also […]
