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.

Risk Behavior in Teens: Why it Happens and How Adults Can Help

Introduction: During the process of growing from a child to adult, adolescents may make choices that could put their health and wellbeing at risk. This article defines and explains high-risk behavior, and provides suggestions on how caring adults can support teens in desistance What is High-Risk Behavior? High-risk encompasses behaviors that can result in adverse consequences that outweigh potential gains and could potentially interfere with adolescent development, health, and wellbeing. 

Read More »

Coaching vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference, and Which One Does My Teen Need?

Introduction: Life coaching and therapy are often considered to be interchangeable, but this is not the case. The two specialties co-exist in the mental well-being space and can work in conjunction, however, the services offered and credentials required to practice are distinctly different. This article explains the differences between coaching and therapy, and explains how to decide if your teen can benefit from one (or both) of these services. What

Read More »

Mental Health Awareness Month Series (part 1)

Introduction: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In 1949, Mental Health America proposed an annual national observation to spread awareness of the importance of mental wellbeing. The conversations around mental health are becoming more urgent as trends demonstrate that growing numbers of American adolescents and adults struggle with stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. This article describes the current state of mental health for young people and adults, and offers eight

Read More »

Self-Care: Why Teens Need It and Four Ways Adults Can Help

Introduction: Let’s bust the myth about self-care being indulgent. Caring for oneself is a critical part of individual wellbeing. And – self-care isn’t just for adults, it’s essential for young people as well. This article shares statistics about the benefits of prioritizing self-care as an adolescent, and provides suggestions on how adults can support teens in this effort. What Is Self-Care: Self-care is the practice of tending to oneself physically,

Read More »

3 Reasons Why You Need to Spend More Time Outdoors with Your Teen

Introduction:Looking for ways to spend more time with the young adults in your life? Go outside! Take advantage of the spring weather and get some sunshine while connecting with your teen. Want to learn more about ways to connect with young people and maintain your wellbeing? Check out our accredited life coach training programs for more information.

Read More »

What Is Self-Regulation? Why Teens Need It & How to Develop It

Introduction: This article introduces the concept of self-regulation, and provides breathing and grounding exercises for any teen or adult to try when experiencing distress. What Is Self-Regulation? Self-regulation refers to an individual’s ability to control their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in favor of positive long-term outcomes. It is a practice that gives a person the space to pause and think about how they want to respond to a stressful situation,

Read More »

Change the lives of youth. Starting today.