Nine years ago, I was in a portfolio career as an Associate Medical Director and a Public Health Consultant in system leadership roles. I had been increasingly using my psychology skills as a coach and mentor – both with individuals and also coaching my teams. I had become aware of the ‘third wave’ science of behaviour change, including theory-based approaches to behaviour change such as ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy) and wanted to know more.
I was (and still am) hungry for learning
During the mid-2010’s I was hungry for learning and for reconnecting with my intercalated degree in psychology. I attended several workshops and conferences with leading American psychologists, including Rick Hanson (a prolific psychologist, author and teacher on the subject of self-directed neuroplasticity) and Steven Hayes (the academic psychologist who created the ACT model).
I had dinner with both Rick Hanson and Steven Hayes – and then changed my career direction!
I had dinner with both of them (Rick Hanson in 2011, Steven Hayes in 2016). What a privilege – and what an inspiration both of them have been in my professional practice! I designed my coaching business on the train on the way home after a 2 day intermediate skills workshop in ACT with Steven Hayes, and haven’t looked back since.
More than a listening space: I use evidence-based coaching psychology interventions
Many coaches focus on providing a listening space rather than using interventions: this is helpful but research is finding that coaching psychology based interventions result in better outcomes. As a coaching psychologist I use a number of evidence-based coaching psychology interventions in my practice.
How I help medical and public health leaders to navigate career crossroads, lead with confidence, and beat burnout
ACT remains at the core of what I do – with its focus on developing psychological flexibility (rather than rigidity) in clinical and non-clinical settings, ACT now has over 1,350 randomised controlled trials and over 600 meta-analyses, systematic or scoping reviews behind the model and processes – as well as appearing in clinical guidelines around the world. It’s at the core of how I’ve helped over 500 medical and public health leaders globally to navigate career crossroads, lead with confidence, and beat burnout.
My coaching programmes are proven to deliver a +17.4% improvement in wellbeing outcomes
Have you seen my publications in BMJ Leader? If not, please do check them out here. My before-and-after study of 80 medical and public health leaders found:
- Average 17.4% increased in validated wellbeing scores before-and-after their coaching programme (p<0.001, SWEWBS)
- Increase most marked in ‘I’ve been feeling optimistic about the future’ and ‘I feel able to make up my own mind about things’ wellbeing scores
I still study ACT
I have recently joined a new supervision group using ACT, and one of my 3 supervisors has always been an ACT specialist. Every year I attend training or conferences to help me to stay abreast of the latest thinking in process-based approaches to behaviour change – so that I can help you to be compassionate, embody your values, have a high level of present moment awareness, and be willing and able to take sustained, committed action to progress your goals in the face of challenge and adversity.
Dr Fiona Day is individually accredited as a Registered Chartered Coaching Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and by EMCC as a Master Practitioner Coach & Mentor. She is a former system and Board-level medical & public health leader. Fiona specialises in coaching medical and public health leaders, and trains health leaders in coaching and mentoring skills at EMCC EQA Foundation Level. Get 3 hours of FREE CPD with Fiona’s ‘Health Career Success Programme’ here, and listen to her NEW podcast ‘Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders’ here.
