The Psychology and Practice of Contracting

This book takes the complicated subject of contracting and explores it in depth, providing coaches and readers with insights into the psychology of containment and how to contract in a way that enables trust and accelerated growth, introducing a newly developed practitioner model named the 8Ps Platform. Structured around the 8P Platform (Purpose, People, Professional, Philosophy, Process, Practicalities, Psychological, and Personal), the book breaks down the complexities of contracting while retaining the depth practitioners need across diverse settings. Each aspect of the model is illustrated through case studies and practitioner quotes, with additional guidance from the PROP scaffolding (Position, Reinforce, Outline, Personalise) that makes challenging conversations more accessible. Drawing on academic research and real-world practice, the author shows how effective contracting prevents ethical pitfalls, manages expectations, and creates the conditions for meaningful development work. Offering an in-depth exploration of contracting for containment, this book is an essential reference for coaches, mentors, supervisors, and professionals in organisation and leadership development.