How to Help Reluctant Teens Set Goals (Without the Pressure)
January 10, 2026
Become Certified to Build Youth Resilience and Mental Fitness
Gain more than just a certification. Learn to create empowering, growth-promoting spaces that help youth build inner strength, adaptability, and a sense of belonging—even in the face of change.
We’ve had the pleasure of training coaches for:
Our Science-Backed Youth Life Coaching Training Services
Our curriculum blends psychology, neuroscience, adolescent well-being science, and lifestyle medicine with proven coaching techniques. Learn to support youth in overcoming challenges like distress and lack of motivation while fostering confidence and adaptability. We provide live certification programs, self-paced courses, and resources for adults and organizations worldwide. Our programs are accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), giving you the credibility and recognition you need to stand out as a professional coach. Create empowering spaces where teens feel safe, supported, and inspired to thrive. Whether you’re an educator, parent, social worker, or counselor, you’ll gain practical tools to make a real difference in the lives of our next generation.
Coaching Certifications
Become an ICF-accredited Youth Resilience Coach through our live, virtual coach training programs, ideal for aspiring adolescent life coaches.
Coach Continuing Education
Deepen your knowledge base, refine your skillset, and access ongoing supervision with non-certification coaching courses and advanced skills.
Program Advising
Deepen the impact of your organization on young lives with our Advising services, designed to improve the skills and approach of businesses.
Coaching Certifications
Become an ICF-accredited Youth Resilience Coach through our live, virtual coach training programs, ideal for aspiring adolescent life coaches.
Coach Continuing Education
Deepen your knowledge base, refine your skillset, and access ongoing supervision with non-certification coaching courses and advanced skills.
Program Advising
Deepen the impact of your organization on young lives with our Advising services, designed to improve the skills and approach of businesses .
Championing Youth Empowerment: Unveiling Strengths, Bridging Gaps
We believe deeply in human potential and the ability to shape our own futures through intentional action. Teens are naturally resourceful and capable. With the right support, these qualities can help them overcome challenges and lay foundations for a successful future.
At Youth Coaching Institute, we recognize that young people are learning to balance a growing need for independence with the guidance they receive from adults. This transition can be both exciting and challenging for parents and caregivers.
Youth coaches play an important role here. Our vision is to ensure every tween, teen, and emerging adult has access to a qualified youth coach who can support them in building a positive identity and essential life skills to be their own hero.
At the Youth Coaching Institute, we’re not selling shortcuts or high-ticket dreams. It’s important to understand that coaching isn’t a fast track to wealth; it’s a calling to serve. We offer rigorous, research-informed training designed for youth-serving professionals who want to deepen their impact, not just their income. Our mission is to develop credible, ethically grounded coaches who serve where it matters most: in schools, nonprofits, and communities, in order to create meaningful change.
Basic Coaching Skills and Adolescent Well-being Science
The purpose of this program is to introduce youth-serving professionals, parents, and/or other caring adults to core coaching competencies and adolescent well-being science to support and empower tweens, teens, and emerging adults.
- 12 hours of self-study training, including 6 hours of lectures, associated discussion prompts, coaching demonstration observations, and assigned reading
- May be taken as a standalone course, or as the first of a series of courses on the path to our certifications.
“I highly recommend the Youth Resiliency Coaching Certification offered by the Youth Coaching Institute. As a Pediatric Cardiologist in Canada, I enrolled in this program to better support the youth and adolescents in my practice, many of whom have underlying heart disease. Through this certification, I gained valuable insights on how to support and facilitate young people to navigate the challenges of puberty, education, sports, and maintaining social connections. This experience was truly transformative for me, as I learned the importance of creating a safe and non-judgmental space for teenagers to express themselves and make their own choices. I am excited to integrate these learnings into my daily practice and empower teenagers and young adults to build resilience and strive towards their best selves, regardless of any underlying medical conditions they may have.
I highly recommend this resource for any adult who works with young people. It will provide valuable support to help them succeed in life.”
Dr Kathryn (Katey) Armstrong
Pediatric Cardiologist
Have Questions? Schedule a Q&A With Us.
Whether you have some coaching experience under your belt, want to better serve youth in your profession, or are exploring a fulfilling career pivot, we’re here to guide you on the best path forward. Fill out our contact form or schedule a live 20-minute Q&A to learn more.
How To Get Started: Choosing Your Teen Life Coaching Pathway
We offer several tiers of certification to fit the various needs and goals of our trainees. Browse through our offerings and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about which path is right for you.
Once you’ve identified the right course or certification program for your needs, easily sign up and pay online. We list all of our prices and use a simple cart checkout system, so you can begin the registration process today! All of our programs include self-study courses delivered online. That means, you can begin your course work immediately, even if you’re registered for a program that includes a live group option.
If you sign up for one of our live certification programs, make sure check out your course’s upcoming training schedule. If you opt for one of our self-paced elective courses, you can access the curriculum material at any time.
Why Choose the Youth Life Coaching Institute for Certification & Training?
Behavioral Science-Based Coaching Approach
Our curriculum is built on a strong foundation of proven behavioral health principles. Studies show adolescent interventions, including personal and social skill-building practices, developed from a strong research base significantly enhance self-perceptions, school engagement, positive social behaviors, grades, and reduced problem behaviors.
International Coaching Federation Accreditation
The ICF is one of the highest-regarded coaching certification organizations globally, recognized for its stringent education requirements and rigorous credentialing process. We are proud to offer full professional coaching and certification paths accredited by both the ICF and the Center for Credentialing and Education.
Community of Social Change Agents
We’re a community of social change agents who experienced our share of struggles as adolescents. We managed to overcome, learn to thrive, and establish lives we can be proud of. Now, we’re committed to reaching back and supporting the next generation of young people who’ve yet to see the light on the other side of their struggle.
Why Choose Youth Coaching Institute for Certification & Training?
Behavioral Science-Backed Coaching Approach
Our curriculum is built on a strong foundation of proven behavioral and health science principles. Studies show adolescent interventions, including personal and social skill-building practices, developed from a strong research base significantly enhance self-perceptions, school engagement, positive social behaviors, performance, and reduced problem behaviors.
International Coaching Federation Accreditation
The ICF is one of the highest-regarded coaching certification organizations globally, recognized for its stringent education requirements and rigorous credentialing process. We are proud to offer full professional coaching and certification paths accredited by both the ICF and the Center for Credentialing and Education.
Community of Social Change Agents
We’re a community of social change agents who experienced our share of struggles as adolescents. We managed to overcome, learn to thrive, and establish lives we can be proud of. Now, we’re committed to reaching back and supporting the next generation of young people who’ve yet to see the light on the other side of their struggle.
About YCI: Our Mission to Support & Empower Youth Through Life Coaching
We equip caring adults like you with proven coaching tools and well-being knowledge to inspire and empower teens and young adults through care, connection, and skills. Together, we focus on building the essential skills needed to thrive in an AI-enabled future—stress resilience, mental fitness, critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. By integrating these tools into your work, you’ll help guide the next generation to unlock their potential and lead as healthy, adaptable, and connected individuals in an evolving world.
Youth Coaching Expert Insights
Discover a library of free expert resources exploring the youth coaching landscape, the experiences of adolescents today, and opportunities to strengthen your approach.
Elevate Your Impact and Start Coaching Today
Every teenager deserves the tools to overcome challenges, build resilience, and achieve their fullest potential. With our certification program, you can be their coach, guide, and source of inspiration. Start your journey today and become the coach every teenager and young adult needs.