Coaching Ethics Case Study Standard 3.7

This document explores ethical considerations in coaching, focusing on coaches who hold multiple roles or professions. It presents a case study aligned with Standard 3.7 of the ICF Code of Ethics, which addresses how to proceed when a client needs therapy.

This resource helps ICF professionals — coaches, mentors, and supervisors — navigate ethical dilemmas by emphasizing the importance of setting and maintaining clear boundaries in coaching engagements when it becomes clear that the client would benefit from more than just coaching.

The case study provides potential resolutions for such situations, including seeking external support, discussing the situation directly with the client, or ending the coaching relationship altogether. It encourages the coach to pause coaching and explain when the next step should be therapy, consulting, or mentoring.