Practical strategies for improving the mental wellbeing of young people at school. As part of the Intergrating Coaching and Positive Psychology to Support Young People- Symposium

Abstract

This symposium will focus on the application of coaching and positive psychology to support the success and wellbeing of young people. All three speakers have published peer-reviewed articles on the topic and have practical experience of using coaching and positive psychology with young people. In the second paper, Liz Robson-Kelly argues for the need to integrate coaching and positive psychology when working with teenagers at risk of developing mental health problems. Based on her recently-published research (Robson-Kelly & van Nieuwerburgh, 2016), Liz proposes a number of timely interventions that may improve the mental wellbeing of vulnerable young people. In her paper, she will survey a number of the “active ingredients” of such positive psychology coaching interventions. This symposium is appropriate for those who are interested in using an integrative approach (combining coaching and positive psychology) to work with young people.

Full text

Positive Psychology
Coaching
Practical strategies for improving the mental
wellbeing of young people at school..

Robson-Kelly & van Nieuwerburgh
(2016)

•Coaching is a potential method of application of positive
emotions
•Place to experience positive relationships
•Process of coaching is a place to try out self changing (de
Hann 2008)
•Increased control and confidence.
•Process to develop and practice skills essential for wellbeing
•Quanitive analysis suggests reduction in levels of stress,
anxiety and depression
About PPC interventions with young
people

Mental wellbeing a Whole School Approach

Whole school services
•Group coaching workshops
for SLT to design whole
school approach and create
ethos
•Coaching sessions to embed
whole school approach
•Training and support for staff
wellbeing
Staff Development
•Training in early identification
•Training in PPC skills and
strategies that improve
wellbeing of staff and
students.
Targeted Support
•Interventions for students
•Programmes/ training for
students
•Support for parents
Whole school
Staff Development
Targeted Support
Solutions

•Reducing mental health stigma
•Improving confidence of staff to support YP with MW
•Proactive approach to taking care of own MW (staff & students)
•Reduction in MH issues and need to refer to specialist support
•De-escalation of problems
•Sense of belonging, acceptance and trust has grown
• Created “upward spiral” in ethos and environment
Positive impact on whole school

How could pos psych coaching be improving
wellbeing for young people?
Coaching process
Through developing and practicing
skills and experiencing change
during process.
Coaching skills
How the coach facilitates change
through a range of integrative skills
and tools including those from
positive psychology.
Way of being
Through the experience of
relationship with the coach, positive
emotions, trust, non-judgment,
being listen to etc.
Process
Way o
Skills
Adapted from Christian Van Nieuwerburgh
2012

Contact Me
Email: liz@worth-itprojects.co.uk
Web: www.worth-itprojects.co.uk
Call: 01530 835155
Twitter: @worthitprojects
Twitter Liz: @PosPsycCoach
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