Alumni Spotlight Series – Margrita van der Hoek
Alumni Spotlight Series – Margrita van der Hoek Get to know our Youth Coaching Institute alumni community. This column will feature the stories from our network of 500+ youth coaches spread throughout the world. YCI alumnae are diverse, but they share a common commitment: transforming the lives of adolescents and young adults. Read about their […]
4 Places That Will Benefit from the Expertise of a Youth Coaching Institute Certified Coach (you!)
Youth coaching may sound like a niche space, but the demand and opportunity to make a difference in the lives of adolescents and young adults continues to grow. Here is a list of 4 places where a YCI certified coach can positively impact the lives of adolescents and young adults. 1. Schools Who (could become […]
Two Keys to Avoiding Adolescent Morning Meltdowns
Introduction: Mornings can be hard for anyone of any age, but especially for families with adolescents. Now that school is back in session, it’s time for the morning rush out of the door, which can cause a lot of stress for both the teen and caregiver. But with a few changes, mornings can become easeful […]
Two Exercises to Increase Self-Awareness (for Adolescents and Adults)
What is self-awareness? Self-awareness is the conscious knowledge of who we are and why we do what we do. Psychologists Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund put it this way: “Self-awareness is the ability to focus on yourself and how your actions, thoughts, or emotions do or don’t align with your internal standards. If you’re highly […]
4 Strategies Caring Adults Can Use to Foster Resilience in Young People
Introduction: What is resilience? It is the ability to dust yourself off and try again in the face of challenges or defeat. Resilience allows humans to adapt to stress and recover in order to pursue high interest goals. Resilience is strongly linked to mental health for adolescents and adults. Resilience decreases stress, anxiety, depression and […]
Three Ways to Help Teens Through the Back-to-School Scaries
In the blink of an eye, summer is on its way out and a new school year is on the horizon. That means it’s time to get adolescents and teens prepared for what’s ahead. But – if they’re like most kids out there – they have no interest in stopping the summer fun, and plan […]
Three Lessons Teens Can Learn Watching Athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Millions of eyes will be on Paris, France this week as the 2024 Summer Olympic Games kick off. Elite athletes from around the world are chosen or must qualify to compete in hopes of securing medals in their sport on the behalf of their country. Athletes as young as thirteen have an opportunity to make […]
3 Ways Adults Can Help Teens Develop Their Own Values
Introduction: Think of values like an inner compass; they provide direction along the journey of life. Values are a core piece of an individual’s self-understanding and identity. Values define what one considers to be important in terms of living life and interacting with others. Adolescence is defined by a rapid period of cognitive, physical, and […]
Adults – Here Are Three Key Things to Know about Teens and Young Adults
Introduction: Adults often say that it’s hard to crack the code on the teens in their lives. They complain that they don’t understand them; between the mood swings, lack of communication, time spent with friends, etc. It is not uncommon for caring adults to feel out of touch with the everyday experiences of young people. […]
Pride Part 1 – The State of Mental Health in LGBTQ+ Youth
Introduction: June is Pride Month in the United States. Pride is an annual commemoration of the historic Stonewall Riots in New York City. Pride promotes awareness, reflection, activism, and celebration for LGBTQ+ identifying people and allies. In 2021, the CDC surveyed more than 17,000 students in 152 high schools across the United States. 1 out […]