What is Integral Coaching^®?

“Integral” means inclusive of everything, entire, complete, whole. So, at its deepest root, Integral Coaching^® refers to a way of coaching that is whole, complete and integrated. Further, Integral Coaching^® includes frameworks and developmental principles based on globally recognized Integral Theory.

At Integral Coaching Canada, we have studied numerous Adult Development approaches and conducted years of detailed research of Integral Theory to create a systematic approach to change, bringing about change, and pursuing change that is whole and complete. Change is at the root of coaching whether it is introducing healthier ways of being in our current lives or transformative depth work that brings about radical development. Most approaches to change are partial and, therefore, don't last. An Integral approach brings about change that endures over time, beyond the term of a coaching contract.

Integral Theory is widely recognized as the most comprehensive and coherent knowledge framework available. For this reason, it has been translated into application by experts around the world to many different disciplines and fields of study, including Integral Psychology, Integral Ecology, Integral Medicine, Integral Politics, and several others.

Integral Coaching Canada pioneered the application of Integral Theory in the field of Professional Coaching. Integral Theory underlies many aspects of Integral Coaching^®. While there are several coaching approaches out there that refer to some aspects of Integral Theory (such as its four fundamental perspectives or quadrants), ICC is the only school endorsed by the Integral Institute, Ken Wilber, and is the only school that has applied Integral Theory as a foundational guiding source to its programs with a high degree of academic rigor and practical usefulness.

In understanding Integral Theory, one comes to see that many different perspectives are offered by leaders in various disciplines who profess that their "way" of approaching a particular field of study is the "correct way." Looking at such approaches from an Integral perspective, we can see that their professed ways of working in a particular discipline are "all correct" and they are "all partial." In other words, many schools can argue that their approach to a discipline is the right way, but Integral provides a map that shows they are all valid, all partial, and all fit into a larger and more inclusive map - an Integral map. Whole. Entire. Complete. Everything.

ICC's Integral Coaching^® approach translated and advanced this Integral map for Professional Coaching. It includes behaviorism and ontology. It includes systems approaches and the unique dyad phenomena associated with a relationship between a coach and client. It includes subjective understanding and objective, measurable results. And it works. Quickly. Powerfully. Always.

With any approach to coaching, there are two primary components to consider:

The Integral Coaching^® method enables you to get underneath a coaching topic to see how a client has been approaching that realm up until now. There are usually some fundamental 'Ah Ha' moments as the client realizes, "No wonder I haven't been able to sustain the change I'd hoped for." Integral Coaching^® enables the client to more effectively identify and work with long-standing patterns while building the ability to move in new directions. Both occur at the same time. The grip of a past way of being is loosened as it is more consciously worked with while simultaneously creating new ways of moving forward.

In actively working in both of these areas (the 'past-based' way of being and the 'future-based' desired outcomes) unprecedented results are attained in very short periods of time. This method or way of working with a client is based on the principles of Subject-Object Theory in human development; by working with a client so that they explicitly and objectively come to see her/himself, the client is able to shift quite quickly and radically into healthier, more productive, deeply satisfying, and more expanded ways of being in their life. The 'Ah Ha' moments are powerful, but more poignant are the capabilities developed by clients to shift long-standing patterns that have felt immovable.

To be able to work with a client in this way involves employing Integral principles to gain insight into how our clients "move in the world"…how they see, actions they take, results they look for, current levels of capability they have available, etc. We have developed and adapted Integral Lenses based on Ken Wilber's AQAL model including the lenses listed below. AQAL is a short-form term meaning All Quadrants, All Levels, All Lines, All Types, All States. We have built these six lenses:

These Integral Lenses aggregate into an Integral framework (whole and complete) that we call a client's AQAL Constellation^™. Through the course of work with a client, the AQAL Constellation^™ becomes the coach's road map for building new capabilities with their client ensuring that the focus is based on the client's needs rather than the coach's biases or preferences. Our approach to understanding clients is powerful in that we use lenses to both "Look At" and "Look As" our clients so that we can get attuned to, appreciate, and base their development on their world views and related capacities. Integral Lenses are not used as tools to categorize clients, stick them in a box and draw conclusions about who they can and cannot work with! The AQAL Constellation^™ is a rich framework providing a map that truly honours the complexity of being human.

The combination of a powerful Integral Coaching^® method, the objectives of a coaching topic, and a complete view of a client's AQAL Constellation^™ enable a powerful and focused approach to adult development. Complex, but not complicated - just like humans. We have been described as best in class by the Integral Institute for our truly Integral approach to the discipline that is being called the change modality of our times: ICC's Integral Coaching^®.