FAQ

FAQ
specializing in services for youth and young adults

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What is a teen coach?
What is the difference between coaching, consulting, counseling and other related fields?
How is teen coaching done?
Who works with a coach?
How long do I work with a coach?

What is a teen coach?

A coach is an adult who works with you to help you identify and accomplish your personal goals or learn fresh skills faster than you can on your own.

What is the difference between coaching, consulting, counseling and other related fields?

Consulting A consultant is looked upon more as being the expert in the field. They give direct answers, options and solutions to specific problems. The end product is usually some report or plan. When the report is done, so is the relationship.	Coaching A coach comes in as a partner to you. Coaching is all about asking the right questions. You're the expert. The end product is a dynamic relationship that helps you achieve bigger goals faster. An assessment is usually the beginning of the relationship, not the end. A coach walks alongside you as you implement the plan.
Mentoring Mentoring is usually free, is typically done on an informal and as-needed basis, and usually does not include specific goals and measurable results.	Coaching Coaching is not free, is a formal relationship and uses a semi-structured format and includes specific goals and measurable results.
Managing A manager has a great deal of authority over an employee, does not need to ask permission of an employee to make changes, and can require that person to comply with those changes. There is no guarantee that a manager has the best interest of their employees at heart.	Coaching A coach has no formal authority over you. Coaching is not a one up-one down relationship. It is a partnership of equals. A coach does not have a hidden agenda and the primary concern is for your welfare. Coaching relationships are built on foundations of trust and partnership.
Training or teaching A typical training is focused on holding an event and the transmission of knowledge or skill development.	Coaching A coach is focused on developing a relationship, not delivering an event. While there may be an exchange of knowledge, the primary purpose is in helping you to identify and achieve your own goals. Personal growth and development are the measurements of success.
Facilitating Facilitation usually involves several people or groups of people where the facilitator maintains an objective stance and has no other purpose than to assist those people in clearly communicating with each other and reaching a common agreement.	Coaching While a coach is also an objective person, the coach does not maintain an objective stance. The coach is actively involved in the relationship with the clear purpose of helping you identify and achieve your personal and professional goals faster than you could by yourself.
Counseling, psychotherapy In counseling, a person is seen as broken, bruised, and in need of healing. Usually counseling or psychotherapy is focused on identifying a problem, diagnosing the problem, and developing a treatment plan to overcome the issue.	Coaching A person is seen as creative, resourceful and whole. A coach doesn't "fix" broken people, a coach helps healthy people perform at a higher level.

Coaching can be done one-to-one or as part of a group. Either manner is a confidential process in which you set the agenda and the coach helps to clarify the vision, functioning more as a partner than as an expert. You can expect to assess your personal values, the abilities and skills you bring to your life, the culture and environments in which you interact (home, school, work, play), the types of supports you have in place, the stumbling blocks you face and other pertinent details. Depending on your style of learning and your commitment, we will try to get you finished and off and running as quickly as possible.

Coaching takes place in person with an agreed number of scheduled sessions per month for approximately 25 minutes or 50 minutes. You may feel free to submit emails, instant messages, faxes and brief 5-10 minute phone calls throughout our coaching relationship. You will be expected to work hard and take action during the coaching sessions. The more you are willing to do, the faster results will be achieved.

The relationship begins with a FREE 30-minute introductory coaching session. During this session you will have the opportunity to give coaching a try. You will give the coach an outline of your concerns and what it is you would like coaching help with. The coach will make a recommendation as to how long it may take to work on your goals. The next step will be to talk in more detail about your history, what you have already tried and start to develop some goals and timelines. It will also be an opportunity to decide whether you and the youth ministry coach will work well together.

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Who works with a coach?

Teens who work with coaches are motivated and determined. A person may want to manage his or her emotions or life in another way, develop a stronger support system, find motivation in school or another area, learn independent living skills, re-define their worldview after a crisis or major life change, or simply invest in some character-building assets for themselves. The teen sets the agenda and the goal she or he wishes to ahieve.

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How long do I work with a coach?

Most effective coaching is done weekly, and a typical contract is about 12 sessions. It could be more should you wish to push forward harder. Clients may pick up again in a few months or even a year later to meet another challenge or to get back on track. You may also simply choose one of our standard processes which have a specific number of sessions.

Rick Craig, Executive Director

P.O. Box 480044

Minneapolis, MN 55448 · USA

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