Elective Courses & Ongoing Development
Take the next step in your career with our range of self-paced and live elective courses at the Youth Coaching Institute. These courses are ideal for youth-serving professionals, schools, agencies, parents, and certified coaches seeking to enhance their skills and develop a framework for more effective engagement and support of tweens, teens, and young adults.
Empower Youth With Effective Coaching Techniques
As a mentor, youth advocate, teacher, or other youth-serving professional, you are already interacting and making an impact in the lives of today’s youth. However, mentoring youth can be challenging when you don’t feel you have the expertise and formal skills necessary to guide them down the right path.
Developing your coaching skills can help you:
- Enhance how you serve youth in your profession
- Help teens make better career decisions
- Guide teens in building self-esteem, motivation, resilience, and engagement
- Improve your classroom management skills
- Discover positive interventions for youth mental health
- Foster strong relationships and trust with youth
- Effectively manage and resolve conflicts among young individuals
Developing these coaching skills through our programs empowers you to make a more profound and positive impact in the lives of the youth you work with.
Explore Our Elective Course Offerings
Our elective courses are globally accessible through Zoom and online platforms, designed for a diverse range of professionals seeking to enhance their youth engagement skills. From basic coaching techniques for everyday interactions to specialized strategies in adolescent coaching, these self-paced courses are your pathway to enriching your role in youth development and mentorship.
Individual Lectures
Self-Study
These 1-hour lectures provide continuing education for coaches, covering diverse topics like Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology, Parent Coaching, Mindfulness, and more.
Coaching Adolescents
Self-Study
Designed for certified coaches seeking specialization in coaching tweens, teens, and young adults, this course focuses on adolescent development and resilience building.
Academic Resilience/Career Discovery Coach
Self-Study
This certification program is for coaches looking to add academic and career coaching for teens and young adults. Learn strategies for fostering resilience in academics and guiding strategic career discovery.
Lifestyle Medicine for Adolescents
Self-Study
This course equips coaches with the skills to address behavioral health issues through lifestyle interventions, covering topics like behavioral health goal setting, nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and techniques for sustaining behavioral change.
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 profitable and fulfilling career choice, 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.
Global Access to Learning
Embracing the diversity and needs of trainees worldwide, our courses are delivered entirely online. This global approach not only breaks geographical barriers but also fosters a rich, multicultural learning environment. Wherever you are in the world, you can join our community and benefit from our comprehensive coaching programs.
Why Choose the Youth Coaching Institute?
Evidence-Based Approach
Our curriculum is grounded in proven behavioral health principles, focusing on adolescent interventions that enhance self-perceptions, engagement, and positive behaviors while reducing challenges.
Community of Social Change Agents
At YCI, we’re a community of social change agents, transformed from our adolescent struggles into thriving adults, now dedicated to guiding the next generation through their journey.
Flexible and Virtual Learning Environment
Our flexible training model accommodates even the busiest lifestyles and is designed for professionals across the globe, ensuring a seamless learning experience. We offer both live and self-paced courses.
International Coaching Federation Accreditation
Stand out in the field of youth coaching with our internationally recognized certifications. The ICF is one of the highest-regarded coaching certification organizations, known for its stringent education and rigorous credentialing.
Reach Out to Us to Learn More
Have questions or want to speak with a member of our team? Schedule a meeting or reach out to us directly, and we’ll be happy to assist you on your coaching journey.
Asjah Monroe2024-02-06The YCI coaching certification program experience has been top notch. Worth every penny. When you enroll and commit, you will come out on the other side experience a competent, well-prepared, and trustworthy youth life coach. The workload is very manageable and the learning pace is entirely appropriate and well thought out. I highly recommend this program for anyone ready to step into coaching at any level. Don't continue to think about it, just do it.
Saloni Hora2024-01-26Qualifying as a certified youth resilience coach through YCI was a pivotal experience. YCI approaches coach training with academic integrity - drawing from psychological theory and best practices, as well as requiring extensive practical training. Dr. Leah - thank you for your deep wisdom, and the grace with which you share your knowledge and experience!
Kelly Shanks2024-01-24The words "thank you" are not enough for what I have received through pursuing coaching with YCI. I am at a huge turning point in my life and finding this program was just the right fit for me. I have high expectations for my professional development experiences and this exceeded my expectations! As a school psychologist it was imperative that the program I pursued was rooted in evidence based practices. The design of the course, attentiveness of staff and passion for coaching that was demonstrated throughout the course was exceptional! An added bonus is how much our cohort supported and cared for one another along this journey. If you are ready to pursue coaching, this program is worth the financial, time and energy investment, without a doubt.
Gilbert Guo2023-11-01YCI was a very worthwhile experience. My instructor Liezel did a fantastic job of teaching. YCI's support staff was incredibly responsive and organized. I've been able to build great relationships through the organization that will help me in my career after the course.
Emely Spagni2023-10-31I absolutely loved every lesson of the "Certified Youth Resilience Coach" program! It went above and beyond what I expected. I didn't just learn about coaching – I learned a lot about myself too. The program offers great value for its price. Plus, a big bonus: it makes the ICF ACC application process a breeze compared to other programs!
Alex Hubbard2023-05-31I took part in the YCI Certified Youth Resilience Coach program and I can't recommend it enough. I was looking for a path to build on my skills as an educator and further my career in way that aligns with my values. While I was unsure of what exactly to expect as I underwent this 25 week course, I can honestly say it exceeded all of my expectations. I was able to develop a strong understanding of what it takes to be a great coach and learn more about adolescent psychology. The class was very manageable and Dr. Leah's approach was informative, honest, and supportive. I feel like I have grown tremendously in a relatively short amount of time and I am excited to start my journey as a certified youth life coach.
Sarah Grace2022-11-14I recently completed my training with YCI as a Youth Resilience Coach. It has been an incredible experience. The quality of the teaching and accompanying support materials are excellent. The registration process and administration are straightforward and hassle-free. It has been fantastic to be part of an amazing cohort of people - an eclectic mix of backgrounds and cultures, all connecting through our shared desire to improve the lives of our young people. The magic comes, however, in the leadership and passion bestowed by Dr Leah. Her resounding commitment to her own learning journey of personal growth, coupled with her ceaseless determination to act, always, in service to her students and clients is quite remarkable. It has been a privilege and an honour to be in the presence of this alchemy - if only for a few weeks. If you can scrape the funds together; if you want to grow as a human being; and believe you can be of service to others in a positive way then sign up for this programme. You will not regret it.
Lisa Vanella2022-09-06I really enjoyed this coaching class taught by Dr. Leah. Not only did I learn how to help clients but I learned a lot about myself. Dr. Leah opens up about her own life experience which helped me feel comfortable and safe. Her coaching technique is perfection. Very informative and highly recommended!
Brittany Beck2022-07-05Dr. Leah and YCI are incredible! I just completed my certification and could not be happier. Dr. Leah is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her work. From class one it was a very safe space to learn and grow. I highly recommend YCI and am extremely grateful for the experience!
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.
How to Help Stressed Teens: Causes, Signs & Solutions
April 14, 2024
Why Teens Procrastinate and Six Ways Adults Can Help
April 10, 2024
Elevate Your Impact and Start Coaching Today
Make a positive and measurable impact with the Youth Coaching Institute. Develop your coaching skillset and begin the journey to becoming a certified youth life coach today.
