HOW CAN youth LIFE COACHing HELP MY Child?

Having spent many years working with young people through both coaching and mentoring, I’ve witnessed the challenges they often face. When struggling with low mood, young people can find it hard to identify the root of their feelings — or, even if they understand the issue, they may feel stuck and unsure how to move forward. This is where coaching can make a real difference.

I understand that building trust takes time, so I don’t expect them to open up fully in our first session. Those initial sessions are an opportunity to get to know one another and start building a supportive, understanding relationship.

Coaching is incredibly valuable for developing skills to navigate everyday situations and build resilience in the face of life’s challenges. It’s also a great way to spark motivation when a young person feels unable to make positive changes on their own.

Mentoring, on the other hand, focuses on academic support. Many young people struggle with tasks like planning revision time or managing schoolwork, often because they haven’t yet developed the necessary organisational skills. Mentoring provides the guidance and structure they need to build confidence and stay on track.

Please be aware that coaching and mentoring are different to counselling. Although there is some overlap in that they each provide a safe, independent environment for the young person to open up,  coaching and mentoring focuses on the present and the future, whilst counselling looks at past experiences and emotional issues. I don’t offer counselling but can recommend one if this seems more appropriate.

It’s important to note that for coaching or mentoring to be truly effective, your son or daughter needs to be open and willing to engage in the process.  Additionally, if during my work with your son or daughter it becomes apparent that more specialised or professional support is needed, I will always recommend and refer to the appropriate services to ensure your child receives the best possible care. 

I look forward to the opportunity to support your child on their personal or academic journey.