Andrea Morris
MSW, LCSW, LCAS, MAC, CCS, RYT
Executive Director
Coaching can play a vital role in overall mental health. Through the use of evidence-based practices, specialized training and in tandem with clinical providers, coaches empower participants to make positive changes in their lives.
Many folks drawn to coaching also struggle with their mental health in some way. Oftentimes, we work with young adults whose anxiety, depression, and/or past substance abuse or related concerns are getting in the way of meeting life’s everyday demands. Coaching, in it's purest and most effective form, is really about helping individuals determine and reach their own goals by utilizing proven tools and strategies for creating lasting change together.
Though clinically informed, we cannot and do not diagnose, pathologize or treat a set of symptoms. Rather, we meet individuals where they are and provide insight into what is possible by helping them discover their own ways through from a strengths-based perspective.
Our model is fundamentally rooted in open communication, always including ancillary providers such as therapists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, neurofeedback providers as well as family members and other natural supports. All folks involved in a person’s care are connected weekly through a coaching update. This update, addressed to the young adult, names current goals, actions taken and progress made toward those goals over the past week. The update is more than information, it’s also an invitation; an invitation to a supportive conversation to further support the participant toward becoming the version of themselves they are working to be.
It takes a village to effectively support an individual seeking help and we witness our model as one that consistently works in this way. We deeply value our collaborative approach to coaching and see stronger and longer-lasting outcomes as a result.
A key piece of staying on track is our Wellness Action Plan. The Wellness Action Plan outlines what life is like when things are going well, what the warning signs are when things become difficult, and puts a plan of action into place well in advance of any triggering event. Supporters and strategies are named and adjusted as these change over time. Both coaches and participants have access to this plan at all times and refer to it if ever needed during their program. This plan goes with the participant after they leave our care so they can update and use it even beyond their work with LifeTutors.
One of the most impactful aspects of coaching in mental health is a focus on strengths and solutions. Coaches help young adults to identify and utilize their strengths to overcome challenges and improve their mental well-being. From day one, we empower participants to trust that they hold all of the answers to their own questions. It’s our job to help them find those solutions within themselves. This strengths-based approach empowers individuals to take an active role in their own lives and fosters a sense of ownership and control over their mental health.
Coaching emphasizes the importance of setting realistic and achievable goals. Coaches work collaboratively with participants to create a personalized plan for growth and improvement. By breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable steps, individuals are able to make consistent progress, often gaining a boost in mental health in the process. Coaches offer guidance, encouragement, and feedback based on their goals to help them stay on track and maintain momentum along their journey.
Coaching Focus: Identifying goals, solidifying relationships and Building Momentum
Parent Coaching included
Coaching Focus: “The How”: How to reach goals, How to move through hard things
Parent Coaching available
Coaching Focus: Reflecting on time in LifeTutors and refining the strategies developed throughout the coaching process
Parent Coaching available
Supporting Young Adults Transitioning to Independence Through Clinically-Informed Coaching
We believe that whole-life wellness is not only possible, it is probable with the right tools, guides, and resources.
Mutual respect and personal integrity are imperative when establishing meaningful relationships with each of our young adults and their families. Our unwavering commitment to these fundamental principles are essential as we cultivate environments where individual needs and preferences are prioritized. By implementing holistic strategies that address physical, emotional, & social needs, sustainable and impactful success is achieved.
Lasting change begins with trust; both trust in yourself and trust in those around you. At LifeTutors, we foster trust by continuously supporting the goals of our participants and by instilling confidence. When individuals learn to trust themselves, they become more adept at navigating challenges and uncertainties, allowing them to take calculated risks and pursue opportunities that align with their values and aspirations.
We believe that young adults are best resourced through wide-ranging professional and natural support systems. Our coach teams work in collaboration with families as well as a myriad of ancillary providers to create the conditions that nurture each individual while streamlining communication for all.
We empower young adults to own their choices through personal agency. We believe positive change happens when we acknowledge how and why our decisions affect ourselves and those around us. Coaches act as both a mirror and guide as young adults recognize and even experience the natural (and predictive) consequences of their actions.
We act in full transparency, with honesty at the forefront of every interaction. We are committed to being dependable, ethical, and responsible throughout every step of our journey together.
Connect today to learn more!
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