What is Life Coaching?

Life Coaching IS:

Helping define YOUR: values, goals, action plan(s), successes, and potential barriers
Focused on your strengths and the future, not weaknesses and the past. It is a commitment to forward thinking and forward actions
Knowing that the client is the expert in the client’s life, discovering what action steps needs to happen next, are open to the coach’s questions and feedback, and are ready to adapt and attempt new strategies to reach that next level of success

Life Coaching IS NOT:

Counselling: Counseling typically is done by making a diagnosis of what is wrong and prescribe a method or series of steps to deal with it
Telling you what you need to do: Youth coaches do not have the “right answers”, but rather, help you to find the answers that are “right for you”

Why Consider Life Coaching?

While the adventure of growing up can be a wonderful and exciting time, young people can experience a magnitude of difficulties in life. The bottom line with coaching is that a majority of clients want help to either achieve a goal or overcome a limitation.

Every young person can respond to a difficulty in life differently. Where one child may express their thoughts and feelings, another may keep it to themself and hold themself back. A young person going through stress may repress their emotions; their behaviour may start to change as may not feel they have anyone to talk to.

When going through these changes, it is important to let your child know you are there for support. However, they may not feel confident enough to discuss their issues with you. This is where a youth coach can help – they are an impartial source of support who can listen and understand the challenges your child is facing.

Benefits for Youth Clients

Talking with a youth coach can help a young person say, “I really want to do this” confidently, proudly and without guilt or doubt. Young people who visit a youth coach can benefit as:

They are encouraged to see the world from a fresh perspective
They can begin to set goals for self-improvement
They learn to handle and manage emotions
They get the support of an objective and non-judgemental mentor
They learn to build confidence and social skills
They will leave with a new sense of motivation and boost of inspiration
They get the opportunity to talk about difficult subjects, such as bullying and social inclusion

Benefits for Parents

Youth coaching can also have a great many benefits from the perspective of a parent.

A youth coach can be hired to:

Encourage a better work ethic and motivation
Help troubled teenagers get back on track
Discover potential and set goals to reach it
Help young people deal with difficult or embarrassing issues
Provide open, direct, honest feedback that is objective and constructive
Help identify and maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses
Promote achievement and maintain focus to move towards goals
Help improve family dynamic