The ENCOURAGE model of human development: Putting Adlerian principles into practice for parent and leadership coaching
Gisele P. Dias and Liory Fern-Pollak
Citation: Dias, G. P. & Fern Pollak, L. (2026). The ENCOURAGE model of human development: Putting Adlerian principles into practice for parent and leadership coaching International Journal of Coaching Psychology, 7, 1, 1-6. https://ijcp.nationalwellbeingservice.com/volumes/volume-7-2026/volume-7-article-1/
Processing dates: Submitted: 6 March 2026; Resubmitted: 31 March 2026; Accepted: 2 April 2026; Published: 30 June 2026
Abstract
Recent changes in society, family-life and the workplace, characterised by uncertainty and increasing complexity, have led to raised awareness to the benefits of coaching as a way of enhancing wellbeing. The core principles of Adlerian psychology – belonging, purposiveness, encouragement and social interest – offer a framework that views behaviour as purposeful and oriented towards belonging and contribution. This paper presents the ENCOURAGE model to guide coaches and coaching psychologists in embedding these Adlerian principles in their coaching practice with parents and leaders. This framework combines several tenets of Adler’s humanistic and integrative psychology to support effective relationships and goal achievement in the context of human development.
Keywords: Human development, Adlerian psychology, Positive Discipline, relational coaching
Generative AI statement: The author(s) confirm that no Generative AI was used in the creation and development of this manuscript. All citations and references have been thoroughly checked by the authors.
Biographies
Gisele P. Dias is with the Department of Psychology & Human Development, Institute of Education, University College London.
Email: g.dias@ucl.ac.uk
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7276-2010
Liory Fern-Pollak is with the Department of Psychology & Human Development, Institute of Education, University College London.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5164-4445