15th International Congress of Coaching Psychology, 2025
4th ISCP Italy Research Hub Symposium
At the 4th ISCP Italy Research Hub Symposium, SCP Italy will present research updates across three active streams: AI, Coach self-efficacy, and Ecopsychology.
AI Research Stream
ReflectAI and the Reflective Coach: Evolving Coaching Relationships through Generative AI
Maria Rita Fiasco, Roberto Gilli, Angela Di Rienzo e Silvana Dini
Abstract
In continuity with the previous phases of our research on the integration of generative AI into reflective practice, this year’s contribution from SCP Italy to the ISCP AI Research Stream presents the evolution of the ReflectAI project and its implications for the quality of coaching relationships.
Initially developed as the Coaching Psychologist Bot (CPBot1), ReflectAI has since evolved into a broader concept: a family of generative AI applications designed for different professional roles — coaches, supervisors, coachees, and trainers — all sharing a common purpose: training metacognition as a key to continuous learning and growth.
Building on the initial experimentation, this year’s research highlights include:
- Continued adoption within the Master in Business Coaching Psychology, with a larger cohort of trainee coaches using ReflectAI to support structured post-session reflection;
- An expanding group of professional coaches (approx. 20) who joined the experimentation following the June 2025 public webinar, “Reflective Practice Meets Artificial Intelligence”, which also inspired a published article;
- The piloting of a supervisory version, supporting deeper self-inquiry in supervisory relationships;
- The launch of a pilot for coachees, supporting post-session awareness and integration of learning;
- The extension of the experimentation to a Corporate Coaching Academy within a large telecommunications company, thus enabling the involvement of a broader and more diverse group of professional and internal corporate coaches.
These developments enrich our understanding of how AI can support metacognitive reflection and prompt new research questions about how the coaching relationship evolves when AI mediates reflective practice.
ReflectAI is not just a tool — it is a cognitive partner that activates critical thinking, linguistic precision, and deep learning from experience. From our ongoing experience, it also challenges coaches to cultivate a growth mindset, encouraging them to move beyond their comfort zones in engaging with technology as a reflective ally.
Maria Rita Fiasco, SCP Italy Affiliate Member
Entrepreneur, Coach, and Founder of Gruppo Pragma (Trieste, Italia). With over 20 years of experience as a digital entrepreneur, she specializes in digital learning and knowledge management. Her mission is to help companies navigate digital transformation and change effectively by strengthening their human capital. Her company, based in AREA Science Park, Trieste, one of Europe’s largest scientific and technological parks, is a trailblazing ‘human-tech’ enterprise. In their R&D lab, the company has developed advanced AI-based platforms for learning and coaching. Ongoing research focuses on harnessing data and machine learning techniques intelligently. As a coach, she has played a pivotal role in significant coaching projects leveraging digital technology.
Roberto Gilli, Research & Innovation Advisor – Gruppo Pragma
Researcher, AI Expert, and Start-upper Roberto Gilli is an accomplished project and product manager, highly focused on driving digital innovation. He boasts extensive experience in conversation design and development (text and voice), e-learning, information systems, and innovative applications involving software agents, data science, and artificial intelligence. He has been delving into conversational technologies and interfaces (CUI – conversational user interfaces), including chatbots and “voice-first” applications, for many years. Since 2022, he has been actively developing with OpenAI Language Models, GPT, and other cutting-edge technologies.
Coach Self-Efficacy Research Stream
Testing the Self-Efficacy Coaching Model: Do supervision and the coach’s experience matter?
Diana Aguiar Vieira*, Angela Di Rienzo **, Silvia Ramirez Pizarro **, Francesca Quintiliani**, Silvana Dini**
* ISCAP, CEOS.PP, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal
** Author´s Organisation
Abstract
Over the past few decades, we have witnessed the worldwide proliferation of coaching. Despite the growing number of coaching professionals, research into their psychological profiles has been sparse, and self-efficacy is no exception. According to Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory and related research, stronger self-efficacy beliefs in a particular area are associated with improved performance in the same domain of human action. The Self-Efficacy Coaching Model posits that supervision and coaching experience contribute to coaches’ enhanced self-efficacy, thereby improving the quality of their practice. This study aims to analyse the extent to which supervision and years of coaching experience influence coaches’ beliefs in their coaching skills. To this end, an online survey was completed by 139 Italian professional coaches (77% female). The age range of the participants was from 31 to over 50 years old, and their professional coaching experience varied from one to 26 years. All participants completed the Coaching Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES-IT) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), controlling for gender and age, revealed that years of professional experience have a significant impact on coaches’ self-efficacy in coaching, but on general self-efficacy. These findings provide further support for the Self-Efficacy Coaching Model. However, supervision had no effect on self-efficacy. One possible explanation for this unexpected result is that the procedure used in this study to evaluate coaching supervision was too restrictive. Implications for practice and future research are presented.
Keywords: Self-efficacy; Coaching Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES); coaching supervision; coaching performance.
Diana Aguiar Vieira, PhD
Diana Aguiar Vieira, PhD is a Psychologist, coach, and Associate Professor with Habilitation at the Porto Accounting and Business School (ISCAP), Polytechnic of Porto (P. PORTO), Portugal. Founder and coordinator of the Coaching, Career, and Personal Development Unit (2011-2018) and the Alumni Office (2012-2018), both at ISCAP. Founder of the ICAReAlumni community (https://icarealumni.com/) and former Pro-Rector of P. PORTO (2013-2018) for the Alumni Strategy, Consulting Editor for the International Journal of Coaching Psychology and the European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology”. She developed the Coaching Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES; Vieira, 2011) and her research on coaching has been guided by the Self-Efficacy Coaching Model. Her site (www.beyou-bemore.com) aims to share the psychological knowledge with the general public.
Ecopsychology Research Stream
Exploring the Effects of Walk-and-Talk Coaching: A Comparative Study on Emotional, Cognitive, and Behavioral Outcomes
Liana Catani, Angela Di Rienzo, Francesco Giustiniani, Silvana Dini
Abstract
The study presents the preliminary results of a research project conducted by SCP Italy, which compares the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects of Walk-and-Talk Coaching with those of traditional Sit-and-Talk Coaching.
Building on a pilot study that validated the measurement instruments and ethical procedures, the current study explores how these two coaching methodologies affect coachees across specific psychological and behavioral dimensions. The research protocol includes standardized assessment tools, a comprehensive information and communication kit for coach, and a structured framework developed to ensure adherence to ethical standards.
The primary aim is to evaluate whether Walk-and-Talk Coaching, conducted in natural outdoor environments (green space), enhances coachees’ well-being, vitality, and aspects of creative thinking compared to conventional indoor sessions. The hypothesis is that walking in green spaces during coaching enhances subjective well-being and vitality. Preliminary findings and potential implications for coaching practices will be discussed.
Liana Catani, PhD. MSCPItaly
Senior consultant in People, Culture, and Organisational Development. Psychologist. Psychological Coaching Practitioner and Researcher. Psychotherapist. Has more than 30 years of international experience in improving and developing people and organizations, both profit and non-profit. She started her professional career as a trainer and researcher in consulting companies and psychosocial research institutes; and has collaborated as a researcher and lecturer on study projects at the Universities of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ and Urbino. She has gained extensive corporate experience in managing the engagement and growth of people in global organizations.
