Children and adolescent

How can coaching support my child or adolescent?

Coaching provides children with an additional layer of protection. Coaching gives them knowledge, skills and strategies to face life’s challenges in a positive way. It has been proven that resilience, emotional intelligence, a growth mindset and communication skills are the main ingredients for a child to flourish- coaching can help to build these elements and more, while positively impacting on mental health, creating a healthy sense of self, and a positive outlook on life. The benefits of coaching will impact the child now, in the present day, throughout the rest of their childhood, into their teenage years, and further to adulthood.

Topics that coaching can support with:

• Confidence;

• A growth mindset;

• Communication;

• Friendships / relationships;

• Bullying;

• Emotions;

• Resilience;

• Limiting beliefs / negative self talk;

• Self esteem;

• Behaviours;

• Change / transitions;

• Mental health and wellbeing; and

• Physical health.

Support for parents

• At the end of each session, feedback or information will be shared with parents/care givers so that they parent is aware of tool, strategies or practices the child or adolescent ha been recommended. This is if consent has been given from the child/adolescent.

The process:

Child/adolescent coaching support:

• Initially I offer a free 30 min discovery call with a parent to discuss if coaching support would be a good match, and what package you would fit your needs.

• I offer a minimum of 5 sessions. The 1st session will comprise of your child and I getting to know one another, mainly through therapeutic play and art/craft activities depending on their interests and age. This helps build trust which is the fundamental part in successful coaching sessions. I will also carry out a child friendly assessment as we talk to form the bespoke package which will take place over the next 4 sessions.

• Sessions are reviewed regularly so additional sessions can be added to the package.

• Each session lasts 50 min, with an additional 10 minutes at the end to allow for a handover with the parent if permission is given by the child/adolescent. Sessions take place in my garden studio, 4 miles out of St Andrews. They can also be online (depending on the age of the child) or in a school setting with permission from parents and school.

• Creativity is a huge part of my sessions, so I include mindfulness activities, visualisations, meditations and arts and crafts (if in person).

• Children and adolescents have the option of confidentiality if they wish. The only exception to this is if they, or someone else is at risk of harm. If this were to be the case, I would pass on my concerns to parents, and relevant professionals. Confidentiality allows the child to feel safe to talk, however, I do encourage the child/adolescent to share what they feel comfortable too, with parent, to allow for open communication and a holistic approach that the parents can contribute too.

• A complimentary feedback call is also included at the end of the support package, whilst respecting confidentiality, around support that has been given, a chance for any questions to be discussed and any guidance and suggestions for going forward.