Strengthening resilience of youngsters through coaching
The transition from adolescence to adulthood is one of the most complex and formative stages of life. Young people are faced with important decisions about identity, education, relationships, and their future paths while also navigating emotional challenges, social expectations etc.
Coaching in this regard is grounded in the belief that each individual is inherently resourceful, capable, and creative. Rather than offering solutions, coaching creates a structured space for reflection through purposeful questioning and dialogue. This process allows young people to explore their own thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and to arrive at insights that are personally meaningful.
Resilience, in this sense, is not simply the ability to endure difficulties, but the capacity to adapt, learn, and grow through them. Coaching strengthens this capacity by helping young people move from reactive patterns of thinking toward more conscious and intentional responses. As highlighted in the webinar Resilience and Wellbeing Coaching for Students, coaching contributes to wellbeing by fostering a sense of agency and internal control. Instead of relying on external validation or direction, young people begin to trust their own judgement and develop confidence in their ability to navigate challenges.
There lies the long-term impact of coaching - rather than creating dependency on external support, coaching equips young people with internal tools that they can use independently. These include reflective thinking, emotional awareness, and decision-making skills. Research in youth development also suggests that approaches which emphasize autonomy, competence, and relatedness - key elements in Self-Determination Theory - significantly contribute to young people’s motivation and wellbeing (Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.). Coaching aligns closely with these principles, as it supports autonomy through self-directed thinking, competence through skill development, and relatedness through meaningful dialogue.
In my own professional experience working with young people in different contexts, I have observed how powerful this approach can be. When young people are given space to reflect rather than being told what to do, something shifts. They begin to speak more openly and connect more deeply with themselves. Often, the most transformative moments occur when they realize that the answers they were searching for externally already exist within them.
This understanding is at the core of the programme I am currently developing, which focuses on strengthening resilience, wellbeing, and self-leadership among young people. The programme is designed to combine coaching-based conversations with non-formal education methods and creative tools, and aims to create both group and individual learning experiences that support young people in building self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a sense of personal responsibility for their growth.
Krista Kristiāna Kristapsone
Growth facilitator, youth worker, and Head of the organization Youth Initiative Center “Involvement for Change”