The coaching process is a collaborative partnership between the client and coach, focused on empowering the child's growth. We begin by understanding the child's unique needs, setting realistic goals, and developing tailored strategies. The process may incorporate assessments, psychoeducation, homework, and practice of techniques to achieve desired outcomes. Coaching provides hands-on guidance and support, ensuring accountability and progress towards goals.

Mental Strength and Performance Coaching is for young people who want practical support with pressure, confidence, focus, emotional regulation, and performance.

This includes:

* Athletes managing nerves, pressure, focus, confidence, mistakes, or competition stress
* Students dealing with exams, academic pressure, motivation, procrastination, or perfectionism
* Young performers navigating stage fright, auditions, public speaking, or visibility
* Teens and young adults going through transitions such as school changes, university, relocation, or identity shifts

The length of coaching depends on the young person’s goals and level of need. Some clients benefit from a short, focused block, while others need longer-term support.

For performance coaching, I usually recommend a structured program rather than one-off sessions. Mental skills need practice, repetition, and review, especially when the goal is to transfer the tools into competition, exams, or high-pressure situations.

We offer flexible options for coaching sessions to cater to individual preferences and needs. Our sessions can take place:

* In-person: at the coach's home or the client's home upon request, providing a personal and intimate setting

* Online: via video conferencing, allowing for remote participation and convenience, particularly for international clients

* Text-based: for those who prefer written communication, we accommodate text-based sessions

We recognize that every individual is unique, and some may feel more comfortable expressing themselves in writing. By offering multiple formats, we aim to create a comfortable and supportive environment for all children.

Therapy is designed to assess and treat mental health disorders. Coaching is focused on skills, goals, behavior, performance, and practical strategies to maximize performance.

Performance Coaching helps young people build tools for pressure, confidence, focus, emotional regulation, communication, and resilience. If a young person is experiencing significant anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, disordered eating, substance abuse, or another clinical concern, therapy or medical support may be more appropriate.

In some cases, coaching can be a valuable addition to therapy, depending on the type of therapy and your child's specific needs. Coaching can complement therapy by focusing on developing practical skills and strategies to enhance emotional regulation, which can augment the progress made in therapy. For instance, if your child is receiving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for performance anxiety in competitive sports, emotion regulation coaching can work hand-in-hand with therapy by teaching mindfulness and somatic techniques to regulate their autonomic nervous system. This holistic approach can lead to more comprehensive and sustainable progress. The decision to incorporate coaching alongside therapy should be made in consultation with your child's therapist, who can assess whether coaching would add value to their treatment plan.

Coaches provide comprehensive guidance through various methods, including:

* Observing behavioral patterns: identifying habits and tendencies that may be hindering progress

* Assessments: administering tools to understand individual strengths, weaknesses, and goals

* Devising strategies: creating personalized plans to overcome obstacles and achieve objectives

* Teaching relevant skills and techniques: equipping individuals with practical tools and expertise to enhance performance

* Being part of your support system: offering emotional support, encouragement, and accountability

* Providing advice when needed: offering expert insights and guidance to help navigate challenging situations

Coaches serve as a trusted resource, helping individuals recognize their potential, develop new competencies, and overcome limitations. Through this holistic approach, coaches empower individuals to take control of their growth and achieve meaningful success.

Coaches prioritize confidentiality, but we're not bound by HIPAA laws. We keep your child's identity and coaching work confidential, only sharing information with written consent or in exceptional cases like child or elder abuse reporting, imminent risk to self or others, or court orders. For minors, parents may access records if they consent to waive their right to confidentiality. In cases of divorce, we require a copy of the divorce decree outlining parental rights. Our goal is privacy and successful progress, especially for teenagers.

We offer flexible pricing options to accommodate the diverse needs of our clients. Our hourly rate provides a pay-as-you-go option for those who prefer to pay for each session individually. For clients who want to commit to a package deal, we offer a package rate for a series of 8 sessions. For those seeking a more tailored approach, our customized programs are tailored to meet your specific requirements has a cost that reflects the nature of the program. Our aim is to provide choices that cater to your unique circumstances and preferences, ensuring that our services are accessible and affordable.

No. Coaching is not a medical or mental health treatment and is not covered by health insurance.

I work with teens and young adults, with a particular focus on elite athletes, students, and young performers.

The first step is an introductory call to understand what is happening, what your child wants help with, and whether coaching is the right fit. If coaching makes sense, we will identify goals and recommend a coaching structure.

Like any intervention, teaching a child techniques to regulate their emotions requires time and effort to take hold, as they learn to rewire their brain towards healthier thinking patterns. The effectiveness of coaching hinges on your child's willingness and commitment to the process. As they progress, you can expect them to develop better coping mechanisms and make more positive choices when faced with familiar stressors. With consistent coaching, parents often notice tangible improvements in their child's behavior within a few sessions, signaling that the child is internalizing new skills and strategies to navigate emotional challenges.

Coaching with an experienced coach who adapts their techniques to the child's age can be a safe and effective way to teach children emotional regulation skills. According to research published in JMIR Formative Research by Bend Health Inc, online coaching interventions for young individuals aged 6-17 resulted in improved symptoms of anxiety and depression.