At Inner Bridge teens typically begin coaching at 15 years or older. If you are younger than 15 but believe this is the right fit for you, reach out and let's have a conversation.
Which teens do you coach?
I coach both boys and girls ages 15 & up who are ready to take control of their personal journey. Due to my background I am particularly focused on coaching teen athletes, but if a teen is motivated to discover what inspires them and to set goals we could be a great fit. Teens who are struggling with depression, substance abuse, violence, eating disorders or other significant personal challenges would be better served by either a therapist or a coach specializing in a related field. I'm happy to give referrals.
Do parents/guardians participate in the coaching sessions?
No. All coaching sessions are conducted between only the coach and teen client. We have a 15-minute check-in call with the coach, teen client, and at least one parent/guardian approximately every 4 weeks to allow the teen to share parts of their coaching journey.
How do you determine what the coaching focuses on?
The goal of coaching is to support the teen's increased connection and ownership of their life, so typically the coaching focuses on areas where the teen is seeking greater fulfillment. Teens generally have a clear sense of which parts of their life are the most difficult or frustrating, and often those areas naturally become the focus of the coaching. There is no script or topic agenda for the coaching.
Is the content of coaching sessions kept confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is crucial for the building of a trusting relationship between the teen client and coach. The only exceptions to this policy are in instances where there is a threat to either the client's safety or the safety of others.
Where will we meet?
Most coaching sessions are done over the phone. Video calls and in-person meetings, depending on geography, are also an option.
What is the difference between coaching and mentoring?
A key component of coaching is that it is client-driven, meaning that the coach supports the client in discovering for themselves their own life vision and the changes they want to make that support that vision. Mentoring typically follows a role-model approach which tends more toward direct advice giving. Coaching is not interested in what a person should do, but rather what they are inspired to do.
Is there a required time commitment?
All teen coaching agreements follow a month-to-month format, but it is recommended to continue the work for a minimum of six months. Changes do not happen overnight, and often there is a period of trial and error as new life strategies are devised and tested out.
Will it be fun?
Yes! Connecting yourself to your life aspirations is an incredible process that's exciting and fun. We also use creative play as part of the coaching process. If things get too formal the brain becomes restricted and the coaching becomes limited.
Parent FAQS
I want to make sure that my teen is doing well in school; will you focus on that?
Not necessarily. If your only goal is to have your teen improve their grades, you might be better served talking to an academic coach. Coaching at Inner Bridge focuses on the whole person and concentrates on supporting teens in achieving greater fulfillment from their life. For teens who are not fully engaged in school, we often use coaching to help identify a stronger connection to their academic purpose, which by extension can motivate them to invest more in their studies but the results of that are up to the teen themselves.
How can I expect coaching to support my teen?
The goal of coaching is to support the teen's increased connection and ownership of their life. If your teen fully engages in the coaching process you can expect them to develop a clearer sense of their personal priorities, their areas of interest/passion, and an improved sense of what they need in order to be successful.
How will I know if the coaching is working for my teen?
As teens get deeper into coaching they generally demonstrate improved self-confidence, are able to make stronger decisions, and can better articulate their own perspectives and emotions about varied aspects of their lives. Of course, the best sign that the coaching is working is that they want to continue it!
Do you incorporate testing into your coaching?
At this time, not directly. However, if you have feedback from tests that are based on finding strengths, interpersonal relationships, or natural behavior dispositions, I always welcome the chance to review such information provided that the teen client gives their full permission.
