Young adults coach

COACHING FOR YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

In my twelve and a half years at Mentrum, I have primarily worked with young adults from age eighteen to twenty-eight. Additionally, while at the Dutch Academy for Psychotherapy, I coached adolescents aged twelve to twenty-one. My diploma is certified and accredited by NOBCO. Through this invaluable work, I came to realise that teenagers and young adults alike often have a great need to be heard by an empathetic, non-judgemental adult. In every phase of life, we inevitably run into obstacles and encounter disappointments. However, when we are young, and experiencing these for the very first time, the obstacles can feel immovable, and the disappointments crushing. When we consider further that this occurs during a phase of life that is already filled with rapid change and plagued by an overwhelming sense that this is ‘make or break time’, these instances of difficulty are felt all the more intensely, and many young people feel heavily defeated already, when they still have their whole life before them. So what are these obstacles that young people can face? The most common can be found in navigating their daily structure, finding motivation; and beyond that, in contending with issues they have with authority figures (at work or at school/university), with their family, or romantic complications. When left unchecked, these issues can manifest into bigger, more serious problems, such as anxiety, depression, addictions, and overuse of technology.

Difficulties and hurdles are fundamental parts of life; our focus should not be on trying to avoid them, as this is impossible. We do not have control over that. We do have control, however, over how we respond to these instances and cope with them moving forwards. That is what we focus on: not on the ‘what’ but on the ‘how’; to face head-on what we cannot control, and determine how we can best move forwards, instead of allowing it to block us. So let us no longer view criticism, rejections and setbacks as things to fear, but rather as opportunities to work on ourselves. It is necessary to make mental adjustments: to focus not on the problem itself, not on our own personal limitations and shortcomings, but to train ourselves to see instead opportunity and positivity in the road ahead.

When we are no longer hindered by negativity, we can see so many more possibilities; no longer staring blindly ahead at some unpredictable outcome, we have the ability to see all the true potential that lies abundant in the path before us. If we can make these adjustments when we are still young, we will hold onto these methods of thinking for the rest of our lives. Coaching provides the perfect opportunity for this work: I can provide a supportive, non-judgemental environment; and help you find renewed courage and hope, to rejuvenate yourself as you move onwards and up.