Youth Coaching Expert Insights
Stay informed, inspired, and engaged in mentoring and coaching tweens, teens, and young adults with the Youth Coaching Institute blog. Here you’ll discover expert strategies, research, and tools to empower your practice or organization and foster growth and resilience in adolescents.

YCI Youth Coaching Competencies
An Evidence-Based, ICF-Aligned Framework At the Youth Coaching Institute, we prepare coaches to support young people using an evidence-based, developmentally responsive coaching approach. Our Youth Coaching Competencies are adapted from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Core Competencies and integrated with our theory, model, and coaching approach. This framework reflects our commitment to: Ethical, professional coaching Youth development and well-being science Clear scope of practice Coaching that builds agency, resilience, and

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: How to Match Your Coaching Style to Youth Needs
As an educator or youth-serving professional, your days are likely a balancing act. You are constantly toggling between grading papers, managing crises, planning lessons, and, most importantly, trying to connect with the young people in your care. You know that coaching is a powerful tool to foster resilience and potential in youth, but you might wonder how to fit it into a fifteen-minute recess break or a brief after-school check-in.

From Victim to Protagonist: Using the Hero’s Journey to Coach Teens Through Disruption
Adolescence is a time of rapid change, but sometimes life throws a curveball that feels unmanageable. Whether it is a sudden health diagnosis, a parental divorce, a cross-country move, or a mental health struggle, these major disruptions often leave teens feeling powerless. They may feel like life is happening to them, rather than feeling like they are in the driver’s seat. As educators, coaches, and youth-serving professionals, our primary function

Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Substance use and addiction are complex issues that affect millions of people, particularly young adults whose brains are still developing. Understanding the nuances between substance use, misuse, and addiction is the first step toward providing effective support and fostering recovery. This post will clarify these key definitions, explore the science behind addiction, and outline evidence-based strategies to support those on their recovery journey. By gaining a deeper insight into this

A Guide to 30-Minute Academic Coaching
As an educator or academic coach, you know that some students need more than just academic instruction; they need guidance on how to learn. But when you only have 30 minutes—or even less—for a coaching session limited to one or two encounters, how can you make a lasting impact? Brief academic coaching has emerged as a practical, scalable way to support students. Research shows that even micro-coaching (brief, short, targeted

Actionable Learning Strategies to Help Students Excel on Exams
Preparing for exams can feel overwhelming for students, and as academic coaches, parents, or teachers, you play a vital role in guiding teens and young adults toward success. Understanding how the brain learns—and applying evidence-based strategies—can transform study habits and improve outcomes. This article explores the science behind learning and offers practical, research-backed techniques you can share with your students. You’ll discover how to help them move beyond passive studying,