This benefit is for ACMS Members Only.

Certified Professional Coaching has been added as a permanent benefit to PVP as of January 1, 2026 for fully paid ACMS members only.

The benefit is limited to actively practicing physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who have fully paid dues status; ACMS retirees, medical students, and pending members are not eligible.

Eligible ACMS members may utilize up to five (5) session hours  per twelve-month period (starting with the first appointment and renewing 12 months later.)  This pool of five appointments is for both PVP provided psychotherapy and coaching services. Members using both PVP service lines must manage the balance of five appointment hours between them.

To make an appointment, please review the PVP Coaching Agreement and then reach out directly via the contact information in the profiles below.

What is Professional Coaching?

Professional coaching is a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires individuals to maximize their personal and professional potential. It often unlocks previously untapped sources of insight, imagination, productivity, and leadership.

Trained coaches work with the physician/APP to help clarify self-identified goals, uncover obstacles, and develop strategies for moving forward. Some examples of topics addressed in coaching might include:

• Improving satisfaction, fulfillment or balance in personal or professional life
• Resolving feelings of imposter syndrome
• Career expansion or transition
• Improving leadership skills
• Values clarification
• Enhancing communication
• Resolving conflict
• Improving efficiency and time management

If you are curious about the evidence for professional coaching of healthcare clinicians, we've included links to recent research at the bottom of the page.

2025 Coaching Pilot Project and 2026 Funding Made Possible By

Your tax-deductible contributions to the ACMS Foundation can help extend this program beyond the pilot period.

Recent Research on Physician Coaching Effectiveness

​Dyrbye LN, Shanafelt TD, Gill PR, Satele DV, West CP. Effect of a Professional Coaching Intervention on the Well-being and Distress of Physicians: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2019 Oct 1;179(10):1406-1414.
 
Kiser SB, Sterns JD, Lai PY, Horick NK, Palamara K. Physician Coaching by Professionally Trained Peers for Burnout and Well-Being: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Apr 1;7(4):e245645.
 
Boet S, Etherington C, Dion PM, Desjardins C, Kaur M, Ly V, Denis-LeBlanc M, Andreas C, Sriharan A. Impact of coaching on physician wellness: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2023 Feb 7;18(2):e0281406.
 
Gazelle G, Liebschutz JM, Riess H. Physician burnout: coaching a way out. J Gen Intern Med. 2015 Apr;30(4):508-13. doi: 10.1007/s11606-014-3144-y. Epub 2014 Dec 20. PMID: 25527340; PMCID: PMC4371007.
 
Fainstad T, Mann A, Suresh K, et al. Effect of a Novel Online Group-Coaching Program to Reduce Burnout in Female Resident Physicians: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(5):e2210752. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.10752
 
McGonagle AK, Schwab L, Yahanda N, Duskey H, Gertz N, Prior L, Roy M, Kriegel G. Coaching for primary care physician well-being: A randomized trial and follow-up analysis. J Occup Health Psychol. 2020 Oct;25(5):297-314. doi: 10.1037/ocp0000180. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32297776.