How Coaching Works

Struggling to Stay on Track? You're Not Alone.

Many teens appear easygoing on the surface, but underneath, they may be overwhelmed by disorganization, procrastination, or a lack of motivation. These are often signs of executive functioning challenges — the essential skills that help us plan, manage time, and follow through.

If you’re a parent who’s already tried reminders, rewards, consequences, and pep talks... and nothing seems to stick — coaching offers a different path. Academic and life coaching for teens builds the tools and habits they need to take ownership of their responsibilities and future.

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What’s getting in the way?

Teenagers don’t have the same cognitive tools available to them as adults - their brains are not yet fully developed and they lack experience. Teens are guided more by the emotional and reactive amygdala and less by the thoughtful, logical frontal cortex.

Translation: it takes a lot of energy for them to shift their focus from the here and now to the future. For some more than others.

There are three walls in the way of teens’ ability to build core life skills: The Wonts, The Cants, and The Self-Controls. The Wonts have to do with prioritization and seeing the value in delaying immediate gratification for long-term gains. The Cants are more to do with an inability to take care of the ‘not so fun stuff.’ The Self Controls are their capacity to manage life independently.

The height or intensity of these roadblocks is different for everyone. Regardless of their present state, and the barriers they face, everyone is capable of finding a way through.

The Three Phases of Back to Cool Coaching

There is not a distinct hard start/stop with these phases. In coaching, these components are used intentionally and consistently to assist students in taking action on their goals and in learning about themselves.

1. Establish

After determining if my services are a match for the teen, I focus on establishing trust and rapport with him or her. I ask a series of questions that help them see the importance of their actions or inactions. Rather than being told the consequences, they start to understand and build self-awareness.

2. Explore

I help teens explore the ways in which their minds work, ask the right questions about “what if”, brainstorm ideas or even role play. I do this to elicit information that is blocking their way to achieving actions steps for the long term gain. The exercise is central to building self-awareness.

3. Engineer

Together we create an environment where they can experience a level of independence and start to develop internal controls for positive habits and routines. With practice comes confidence and a sense of control. They become independent learners of self and a Master of their destiny!

Ready to Help Your Teen Move Forward?

Executive functioning challenges don’t have to define your teen’s future. With the right support and strategies, they can develop the tools to manage school, relationships, and life with more confidence and clarity. Back to Cool Coaching empowers teens to take ownership of their growth — building self-awareness, independence, and real-world life skills that last.

Let's find out if coaching is the right fit.

Schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward helping your teen thrive.