Quick answer: Yes. ICF, CCE, and NBHWC competencies all permit coaches to share knowledge, observations, and resources, provided it’s done with the client’s permission and choice intact. The most recent fifteen years of research show no single style, directive or non-directive, consistently outperforms the other. What matters most is the working alliance and whether the […]
Quick answer: Youth coaching skills—active listening, powerful questioning, honest feedback, and collaborative goal-setting—are the same behaviors researchers link to effective leadership (Ellinger, 2013; Barry et al., 2020). These skills work because they meet universal human needs for autonomy, competence, and connection (Kovjanic et al., 2012). But skill matters more than frequency: coaching done poorly can […]
Not every coach who earns a certification aspires to run a private practice, and that’s completely valid. Many certified coaches work within schools, organizations, nonprofits, or community programs, where their skills make a profound difference without the demands of entrepreneurship. But for those of you who do want to build your own practice, who are […]
At Youth Coaching Institute, we have spent 13 years working at the intersection of behavioral science and human potential. We know that coaching is fundamentally about building the skills young people carry with them long after a session ends. The goal has never been a young person who needs their coach. It has always been […]
Young people are navigating a complex landscape that challenges their well-being in unprecedented ways. Recent insights from the JED Foundation (2026) highlight three converging crises impacting adolescents: artificial intelligence systems built for engagement rather than care, rapidly shrinking public support networks, and eroding pathways to meaningful human connection. As an educator, social worker, or youth […]
Adolescence is a profound period of biological and emotional change. Teenagers consistently navigate complex social dynamics, identity formation, and existential challenges. As technology advances, we see artificial intelligence stepping into administrative and even supportive roles within educational and therapeutic spaces. When we ask what separates human support from AI support, we are really asking a […]
Evaluating coaching competency is some of the most important work in our profession. It determines who earns their credentials and whether coaches are genuinely equipped to serve the clients who count on them. When you are dedicated to fostering youth resilience and empowering adolescents, you want to know that your skills meet the highest standards. […]
There’s a moment many new coaches describe, somewhere between completing their training and stepping fully into their practice, where something feels unsettled. You know the skills. You’ve done the coursework. But something about fully owning the identity of “coach” hasn’t quite clicked yet. If that resonates with you, here’s something worth knowing: that unsettled feeling […]
Stress has a reputation problem. Most people treat it as something to eliminate entirely, a sign that something has gone wrong. But decades of research in performance psychology tell a different story. The right kind of stress, applied at the right level, is one of the most powerful drivers of human growth available to us. […]
When a student fails a test, the way they explain that failure matters more than the grade itself. If they think “I’m just not smart enough,” they’re likely to disengage and avoid future challenges. But if they think “I should have asked for help” or “I need a better study strategy,” they’re positioned to learn, […]
