Reasons a parent may choose coaching for their child:

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  •  Their child is in need of learning and incorporating coping skills into their daily life
  •  Their child needs help in setting and reaching goals
  •  They feel their child would benefit from speaking with someone independent of the situation
  • They have a goal-driven, focused child and want them to learn techniques and strategies for continued success
  • They know their child is unhappy, but the child will not talk to them about their problem
  • They want to help the child make positive life changes
  • They realize a trained professional can help
  • The child is confused and needs assistance with making sense of a situation
  • To empower child and strengthen their self-esteem
  • To help child discover their unique potential
  • To help create a means for constructive communication between child and parent
  • To help children develop powerful habits
  • To help child manage emotions in a healthy way
  • To create a positive belief system and attitudes toward themselves

Topics addressed in coaching

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The type of topics addressed when coaching children are around important life skills such as boosting confidence, goal setting,  motivation, and social interaction with peer groups and adults to name a few.  In addition to the list below, I also work with children on any topic  the child or parent feels they need help with. 

Topics include, but not limited to:
  • Goal Setting
  • Strengths Finding
  • Changing negative thoughts and beliefs to more positive, hopeful thoughts
  • Relaxation and Stress Management
  • Dealing with feelings of anger and frustration
  • Friendships (social skills, communication, conflict resolution, etc.) 
  • Anxiety (social anxiety, fears, etc.)
  • School issues (study skills, organization, time management, etc.)
  • Family difficulties including parent discord, separation and divorce
  • Parent and sibling relationships
  • Dealing with change and loss
  • Motivation
  • Assertiveness

Adolescent/Young Adult topics:
(In addition to topics above)
  •    College/Career Exploration
  •    Healthy Relationships
  •    Making healthy choices

Why Coaching?


Counseling can often be seen as a past-focused discipline in which the counselor will help identify the reasons for the child's feelings and behaviors.  In my opinion, sometimes in counseling we get "stuck" in looking for reasons why the behavior is happening and finding a label for said behavior.  Sometimes children will then use this "label" as a  means to justify their actions or resist change because "this is just who they are."

In coaching, I won't be focusing on the reasons for the behavior, but rather on finding a solution or a path towards where the child wants to be.   For example, a child is doing poorly in spelling and his goal is to get better grades in spelling.  As a coach, I will help the student determine what is getting in the way of his success and then help him set a goal and action steps toward reaching his goal.  Each week, we will do a check-in and I will hold him accountable for reaching his goals.    This makes coaching incredibly effective, because the child can see positive results and this will encourage them to continue in setting and working toward goals.

New Heights Coaching
~Coaching Kids for Life Success~
Janelle Buchheit  
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
724-366-2780
janelle@newheightscoaching.com


     Copyright 2011 Janelle Buchheit