Be a better you: Life coaching for teenagers and young adults
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When your child is entering his or her teenage years, it can sometimes be challenging for you to understand or connect with them. The reason for this is the significant change taking place on a cognitive level in your child’s brain. They are being remodelled, and at home it can feel as if the whole family is getting refurbished. Symptoms of this are often seen in bad communication, low motivation with school work, drastic changes of temperament and even the inability to make sound decisions. These struggles can often cause emotional stress for both parties. If it is hard being a teenager, the next hardest thing is being the parent of a teenager. As a Youth Coach, I focus on helping your child navigate these waters. A teenager’s ability to make decisions may be difficult, but it is also a time when some core, life-changing decisions are made that can transform their future. It is important for them to be able to detect the fountain of creativity and potential that lies within themselves. A Coach can accompany them in the process of connecting with their true greatness.
If you have moved to a new city like Barcelona then it can be difficult for your teen to adjust for various reasons:
They are angry, frustrated or depressed about:
Moving to a new city
Leaving their friends behind
Leaving their girlfriend/boyfriend behind
Being the new kid
Moving before a crucial academic year
Missing activities they were used to
Learning an entirely new language
All these emotions and feelings are 100 percent normal. Other expat teens are going through the same things. In the absence of their old friends, the only people around to blame are the family. Parents probably also feel a combination of guilt and the desire to provide excellent opportunities for their children and to enhance their futures. There are so many transitions, and no parent wants troubled children. The contradictions and challenges of expat life require everyone to look for the right equilibrium.
The Journey – How do I work with teens and young adults?
There will be a preliminary telephone conversation with the parent/s so we can speak about the issues and concerns they would like to address. The child is the priority and, in the first session, I will focus on what they want to talk about. It is paramount to see what is on my Coachee's mind before moving on to the parent's agenda. I work my sessions using a series of ‘life skill’ tools, and the emphasis is always on working towards goals that are set by the Coachee. There is a clear direction on taking responsibility for the future and moving forward. Sometimes the desired outcome may not be achieved through the route preferred by the parents, but letting the young adult find the answer themselves is what enables them to feel empowered and equipped to take control of their lives. This is the moment where self-esteem and independence are achieved in an organic fashion. Young adults are full of creativity, and through the appropriate questions asked by the Coach, can express these thoughts and ideas without feeling judged or pressured. My sessions are lively, interactive and above all provide a supportive environment that generates mutual trust and honesty.
Frequency and duration?
Sessions normally last between 45-60 minutes and are programmed weekly. There are three locations the client can choose from, depending on geographical proximity. I can also schedule Skype sessions if this is more convenient for the client and their logistics.
Can I coach all age groups?
Yes, I am qualified to coach all ages and work both professional and life goals, but my focus and passion lie with young people.
Are my sessions confidential?
All conversations are strictly confidential unless the Coachee gives me permission to discuss our sessions with parents or, they have disclosed information that deeply concerns me. Most Coachees are willing and flexible about me talking to their parents between sessions. This process of information bridging not only allows me to inform the parent of how the Coachee wants to reach their goal/s, but helps the parent understand what changes they can expect to see and how they can be of assistance. With the parent on my side, they can talk to the child or young adult about their emotional and behavioural progress and encourage them to keep going with changing their actions, thoughts and beliefs.
Why would you choose me as your Coach?
My name is Goldie and I am a married mother of two. I am of Indian origin. I was born and raised in Spain, receiving my secondary and higher education in the UK. I have lived all my teen years between boarding school and university, having experienced a myriad of situations from low self-esteem to cultural shock to racial bullying to meeting and interacting with more than 15 nationalities at one given point. All these adventures helped me navigate towards discovering the better me, and projecting this confidence in my adulthood towards choosing a career path where I want to accompany teenagers and empathise with their concerns and desires. I am a Certified Life & Business Coach with a primary focus on teens and have been collaborating with the Departament d'Ensenyament of Cataluña for several years now, giving motivational talks to 16-18-year-olds.
