​Into The Woods Coaching
​A Guide to The Path Less Traveled.

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Tool to Support Youth During Coaching

    Sometimes, youth can struggle with integrating coaching into their lives. Whether this is due to support burn-out, fear of connection, trouble focusing, or a busy scheduled. I, Mallory, want to make coaching easy, accessible, and fun. These are a few of my favorite tools for supporting youth during coaching:

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Necessities for Effective Coaching

    A base line for what is necessary for successful coaching is that the youth have a comfy, private place to do their sessions from. This may be a bedroom, a blanket in the yard, a nook, fort. or special place. Where it is isn't important. What is important is that the youth feels that they can speak freely, without interruption, in as comfy of a place as possible, ideally with a good internet or phone connection.

    It is important to understand that this time is for them, and that during a session they may be doing emotional, mental work that they wish to be alone for. In these cases, effective coaching is only possible when the youth feel safe, and private enough, to do so.
A near by water-bottle or cup is also appreciated.

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Summary:

 For effective coaching, these are necessary:

• A interruption free zone.
• A private, comfy place.
• A working internet or phone connection.
• The opportunity for time to process before/after.

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Additional Tools

Additional tools that may provide support to youth during the coaching process are:

• An optional designated time before and/or after each session to be alone, prepare, process, decompress and perhaps journal. 
• The use of Modeling Beeswax to help with excess energy, fiddling and concentration.
• A routine before or after each session. 
• A warm cup of tea, or a comforting drink.
• A favorite blanket, pillow or stuffy.
• Pet snuggles; before, after and during.
• A playlist to play before or after a session which help to either prepare the youth for coaching or integrate the youth back into family life after a session, particularly any emotionally challenging  sessions. 
• Letting the youth initiate conversation regarding their prior session rather then asking many question.
• Setting reminders for both guardians and youth for 15 minutes before sessions start, when to book/purchase more sessions, and possibly any activities arranged to support the coaching process (I.e, grounding exercises, mindfulness, journaling). 
• Providing a fun, personal book, journal, or note pad to have during the session.
• Keeping snacks and food outside of sessions if possible.
• Keeping outside interruptions such as electronics, homework, and friends outside of sessions.