Why Coaching?

Sometimes, you just know something’s off.

Maybe your child gets super nervous before playdates or has meltdowns the second things don’t go his way.

Maybe your teen is stuck in an unhealthy relationship and won’t let go or your child is back from college and seems deflated.

Or maybe you want to set some boundaries or have to have a tough conversation and don’t know how to begin.

Whatever it is, that feeling where you’re ready to make a change and you need someone unbiased, to guide you or your child through a specific challenge, with honest reflection, practical tools, and emotional insight—that is where coaching comes in.

Coaching is for short-term, focused support — typically 4 to 12 sessions — designed to help you or your child move through a specific emotional or social challenge with clarity and confidence. It’s different from therapy. Coaching isn’t for diagnosed mental health conditions or long-term struggles like depression or chronic anxiety. Instead, it’s for those stuck moments when you just need tools, insight, and a plan.

In each session, I use developmentally appropriate tools — like finger puppets and role-playing with younger kids, or interactive quizzes and assessments with teens — to help them engage in a way that feels safe, age-appropriate, and even fun.

We’ll identify emotional triggers, assess strengths and challenges, and create an action plan to move forward — all within a compassionate, non-judgmental space.

Together, we focus on building emotional maturity and real-world coping skills, so you or your child can move forward with confidence.

Supporting Youth, Young Adults, & Parents

Youth

Is your child expressing self-doubt?
I can’t. I don’t want to (risk it). It’s too hard. It’s not my fault. I’m not doing it. Nothing ever goes my way. Do you think this is good? Why do things have to change? I’m scared. You don’t understand!
We’ll identify your child’s emotional struggles, what triggers them, and the behaviors or feelings they wish to change. Through roleplaying and activities that help your child overcome challenges in the moment, we’ll start to change your child’s perspective for the better. As we learn and practice these skills your child’s self-confidence will increase, they’ll transition from a fixed to growth mindset, they’ll begin to challenge and replace irrational beliefs, and start to manage their emotions, while understanding the emotions of others.
Young Adults

Is your teenager struggling with friends, school, tough choices—or even at home with you?
I’m not going to try out next year, everyone is just better at this sport than me. I wasn’t invited—I don’t care. I will… I just haven’t done it yet. I haven’t decided yet. It’s not even worth it. There’s not enough time. I need a nap. Everybody is looking at me… smarter than me… better than me. I know you hate me!
Your teen will identify their inner struggles and then the thoughts, feelings, behaviors they want to change. Who do they want to be? Together we’ll address target areas one by one. Your teen will learn which tools to use and practice the strategies needed to make decisions that reflect their values.
Focus areas include: embracing a growth mindset, managing emotions, challenging and replacing irrational beliefs, and becoming a stronger, more confident young adult.
Parents

How are you?
As a parent? I have a hard time saying no. I have a hard time saying yes. My child is off to school, now what? How can I get my child to try something new? My child is so hard on himself. My teenager won’t put down their phone. Did I do this? I’m fine— until I lose it.
As a person? There isn’t enough time. I know what I want, but it seems so out of reach. I want to get back to who I know I am.
We’ll assess the challenges you are facing as a parent and a person. We’ll work on them one by one. You’ll learn strategies to recognize and break negative pattens, to talk with and listen to your child, to reduce stress in your own life, and to confidently set healthy, consistent boundaries. We will practice skills like having difficult conversations, making tough decisions, and taking care of you. Being a parent is not easy, but there are ways you can help yourself stay calm during the storm.

Wondering if we are a good fit? Let's chat! Click here to schedule a free call.

Nice to meet you

I’m Sarah Byrnes and I’ve been a practicing educator for twenty-three years. There’s been a noticeable trend over the last ten years—an uptick in self-doubt and a decrease in confidence and self-regulation skills. More children are saying, “I can’t” and giving up before they even give it a try. Young adults are describing themselves as “stuck”—presenting as self-conscious or indecisive, not knowing how to take the action needed to do what they want to do. And parents aren’t taking care of themselves—unsure of how to set boundaries that reflect their values and stick to them, and are looking for guidance. As an elementary school teacher and mother of two teenage girls, this led me to pursue my certification in four coaching areas: Confidence, Mindset, Emotional Intelligence, and Cognitive Behavioral Techniques. I love it. I love talking about it and helping others create a version of themselves they feel proud of and that’s ever-changing as they grow into the best version of themselves. This is what I love to do and I’m looking forward to helping you, your child, or both of you Discover Peace of Mind.

Testimonials

Confidence

• Mind Set

• Emotional Intelligence

• Confidence • Mind Set • Emotional Intelligence •

“Sarah has an amazing ability to zero in on your child’s unique gifts and challenges to help attain their goals.”

-Julianne, Newbury, MA

“We only met a handful of times and it was enough to give me day-to-day tools for conversations to help guide my kids through a rough patch.”

-Katherine, Byfield, MA

“Sarah made something that felt so heavy feel manageable- and even helped me see the humor at times. She helped restore my confidence.”

Lindsay, Waltham, MA