Jeff Mitchell

Biography

Hello. I am Jeff. I have been working with young people and their families for the past 25 years or so. One thing that I have learned in my 2.5 decades of working with people is that no single approach will work for everyone. It is important to work with clients as individuals, to meet them where they are at, help them find out what they want to achieve and develop a plan to guide them toward reaching their unique goals. I find that most people respond best to a solid blend of support and accountability. My empathy and sense of humor are among my strengths and they can help the sometimes difficult process of learning new skills and developing better habits feel a little easier.

What Does Executive Functioning Mean to You?

Simply put, they are the things that allow you to get things done.

What Is a Strategy You Use With Clients and Use Personally?

One of my favorite tools is the brain dump. Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed, I write down all of the nagging thoughts, to do's, tasks, ideas that I have running around in my head. Once I have a nice long list, I then take each item and rank it in terms of importance and/or urgency and then schedule it on my calendar. It is a very effective way of bringing order to chaos.

How Has Your Personal Experience and Professional Development Impacted Your Coaching?

My personal and professional experiences have taught me that even when people want to change, there is is often a substantial amount of fear that can hold them back. Therefore it is important to make the coaching relationship feel safe and supportive, so that clients are able to take risks, try new things and learn from mistakes.

How Would You Describe Your Personal Approach to Coaching?

My approach to coaching relies upon developing a strong relationship with my clients based on authenticity and trust. I have to know each client as a unique human being in order to support them as they work toward their goals. My approach is very flexible and depends on each clients individual needs.

Which of LSA's Core Values Resonates the Most With You, and How Do You Incorporate It With Your Clients?

Compassion is the value that resonates most with me. I need to be able to understand, relate with and genuinely care about my clients and the issues they have struggled with in order to be an effective coach.