A Focusing Oriented Coaching Model
Focusing Highlights is a series of interactive, online pay-what-you-can classes.
This Highlight explores what a Focusing-Oriented Coaching approach can look like. Many coaches have trained in Focusing but often struggle with therapeutic language and examples that don’t fully align with a coaching framework. By bridging this gap, Rod and Charlotte's approach offers a path for coaches to integrate Focusing into their practice in a way that honors both its depth and the distinct nature of coaching.
Register
Presented by The International Focusing Institute
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
9:00 - 12:00pm PST
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: This live online class is pay-what-you-can. The suggested payment for US residents is $30.
This Highlight explores what a Focusing-Oriented Coaching approach can look like. Many coaches have trained in Focusing but often struggle with therapeutic language and examples that don’t fully align with a coaching framework. By bridging this gap, Rod and Charlotte's approach offers a path for coaches to integrate Focusing into their practice in a way that honors both its depth and the distinct nature of coaching.
Focusing has long found a natural home within the therapeutic profession, given its origins in Eugene Gendlin’s collaboration with Carl Rogers on a landmark study of therapeutic outcomes. Gendlin’s 1996 Focusing-Oriented Therapy (FOT) provided a clear framework for integrating Focusing into professional practice, leading to a thriving international network of FOT practitioners.
Curiously, the modern coaching field emerged largely from the same humanistic psychology movement that Rogers helped shape. His person-centered approach influenced both Gendlin and the foundational principles of coaching. Yet, despite these shared roots, Focusing has remained largely absent from mainstream coaching methodologies, which tend to favor strengths-based approaches and personality assessments over implicit process work.
Intended for coaches, therapists and any others involved in client-facing work. Some experience with Focusing will be helpful though all are welcome to attend.
Rod Francis is a US-based, ICF PCC coach, coach educator, Certified Focusing Professional & Trainer, storyteller and speaker who has led professional coach training programs in Europe and the USA over the past decade and a half. He’s the founder and creator of the ICF- Accredited Emergent Coach Training program where he’s integrated a Focusing-Oriented Coaching approach with Charlotte Howorth. A former professional dancer, performer and entrepreneur, Rod is keenly interested in the integration of ancient wisdom traditions, nature-based practices and cutting-edge science with professional coaching competencies to support human change and the ease of ecological and social suffering.
Charlotte Howorth is an ICF credentialed organizational coach. She is also a psychotherapist in private practice in NYC working with individuals, couples, families and groups. Charlotte has taught the Focusing 2-year certification program for therapists and coaches for the past 12 years and has facilitated Focusing retreats and workshops internationally. She is on the faculty of The Relational Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy program in NYC where she teaches and supervises. She is a Clinical consultant at CHDFS (Center For Human Development and Family Services) in NYC and is also a Certified C-IQ Coach.
Registration info: Contact The International Focusing Institute with any questions: Phone: (845) 480-5111 Email: elizabeth@focusing.org
