I help emerging adults find direction, confidence, and momentum, while helping parents step out of fear, frustration, and constant worry.
Parents of Emerging Adults Struggle With
If you’re a parent of an emerging adult, this stage of life can feel confusing, heavy, and emotionally exhausting. You may be watching a capable, intelligent young person struggle to find motivation or direction, wondering how someone with so much potential ended up feeling so stuck. Conversations that once felt easy now turn into arguments, or silence, and you’re left questioning what to say, what not to say, and whether you’re helping or making things worse.
Many parents live with a constant undercurrent of worry. You lie awake thinking about their future, afraid they’ll never fully launch, yet equally afraid that if you stop helping, everything will fall apart. You don’t want to control them or push too hard, but you also don’t want to enable patterns that keep them dependent or unhappy. It can feel like you’re walking on eggshells, unsure how to support your child without damaging the relationship.
Underneath it all is deep love, concern, and a longing to feel close again. You want your child to feel confident, capable, and hopeful about their life, and you want to know that you’re showing up in a way that truly helps them move forward, without losing yourself in the process.
The Transformation
Clarity & Direction
Emerging adults often feel overwhelmed by choices and paralyzed by the fear of making the “wrong” decision. Michelle helps them slow down, quiet the noise, and get clear on what they actually want, not what they think they should want. With clarity comes relief, confidence, and a sense of direction that makes forward movement feel possible again.
Confidence & Self-Trust
Many young adults doubt themselves, second-guess their decisions, and rely heavily on others for reassurance. Through coaching, Michelle helps them build self-trust, confidence, and emotional resilience so they can make decisions, take responsibility, and believe in their own ability to handle life. Parents often notice less anxiety, fewer power struggles, and more ownership.
Momentum and Independence
Once clarity and confidence are in place, real change begins to happen. Young adults start taking consistent action, following through, and building habits that support independence. Progress replaces stagnation, pride replaces shame, and parents can finally step back, knowing their child is learning how to move forward on their own.
Navigating This Stage Together
Michelle understands this season of life from both sides.
Since leaving the teaching profession, she has spent years working with young adults who feel lost, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or unsure of who they are and where they’re going, and with parents who feel helpless watching their child struggle.
What Michelle sees over and over again is this:
These young adults are not lazy.
They are not broken.
And parents are not failing.
This stage of life is hard for everyone.
Michelle’s approach is calm, compassionate, and grounded. She creates a space where young adults feel safe enough to talk honestly, without fear of disappointing someone, being judged, or being “fixed.”
At the same time, she helps parents step out of constant worry, control, and emotional exhaustion, and into a healthier role that supports growth rather than resistance.
Michelle believes:
• Growth happens through trust, not pressure
• Confidence comes from being heard, not corrected
• Independence grows when support is balanced, not removed or overdone
Parents often come to Michelle feeling afraid:
“What if I’ve already messed this up?”
Michelle’s answer is always the same:
It’s not too late.
With the right support, emerging adults can find their footing, and families can find relief, clarity, and connection again.
The Process
Step 1: A Safe Place to Talk (Without Being Fixed)
The first thing Michelle creates is safety.
Many emerging adults feel talked at, evaluated, or constantly compared to where they “should” be. With Michelle, they finally have a space where they can speak honestly, without fear of disappointing someone, being judged, or being told what to do.
This is where young adults start saying things like:
“I’ve never said this out loud before.”
“I didn’t realize I felt this stuck.”
“I finally feel heard.”
When pressure is removed, clarity can begin.
Step 2: Understanding What’s Really Going On
What looks like “lack of motivation” is often fear, overwhelm, anxiety, or uncertainty.
Michelle helps young adults understand:
• What’s actually holding them back
• Why they feel frozen or avoidant
• What patterns keep repeating
• What they care about beneath the noise
This step builds self-awareness without shame and helps parents see their child through a new lens, one rooted in understanding rather than frustration.
Step 3: Building Confidence Through Small, Real Wins
Confidence doesn’t come from pep talks; it comes from action that feels manageable.
Michelle works with young adults to:
• Set realistic goals
• Take small, doable steps
• Practice decision-making
• Follow through without pressure
• Learn how to recover from setbacks
Each win builds momentum. Over time, young adults begin to trust themselves and feel capable again.
Step 4: Supporting Independence (Not Dependence)
The goal is not to replace parents, it’s to help young adults stand on their own.
As confidence grows, Michelle helps young adults:
• Take responsibility for their choices
• Communicate more clearly with parents
• Build routines and accountability
• Move toward work, school, or life goals
• Develop a sense of ownership over their future
Parents often notice less tension, fewer power struggles, and a healthier shift in the relationship.
Step 5: Progress That Lasts
This work isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about sustainable growth.
Young adults leave with:
• Greater self-trust
• Clearer direction
• Stronger emotional skills
• The ability to make decisions and move forward
• A sense of pride in who they are becoming
And parents gain something just as important: relief, peace of mind, and a renewed connection with their child.
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
"I'm so grateful to Michelle's guidance and leadership."
"I loved doing the class with Michelle. It was an opportunity to take some time out of my busy week and reflect on the things that were important. Mainly- how to live my life more intentionally. An added bonus were the other women in the class. Not only were they fellow students, they also became my friends. I'm so grateful to Michelle's guidance and leadership."
- Traci B.
"She has wonderful strategies for moving forward and reaching your goals"
"Michelle was such a wonderful coach. I was stuck in a place of anxiety, overwhelm, and basically feeling like I was running in circles. Not only did she help me get my goals organized, (life and business) she helped me get a hold of the anxiety I was feeling, talk it out, and not feel like I was alone. She has wonderful strategies for moving forward and reaching your goals. One small step at a time, which made the whole process feel do-able. Thank you so much Michelle.”
- Caroline L.
"I have been given the tools to take back my life and make it fabulous."
"These 4 weeks have been some of the hardest, but some of the most rewarding I have experienced in my life. Revealing the "real" me....without the "pretty" that we wear like a mask, has been beyond eye-opening. I have been given the tools to take back my life and make it fabulous. And, even better, I have gained friendships and a support group that is indescribably amazing."
- Cindy D.
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How does life coaching differ from therapy?
Life coaching is focused on the present and future, not diagnosing or treating mental health conditions. Michelle helps emerging adults build clarity, confidence, and forward momentum through conversation, reflection, and practical action steps. Coaching is supportive and growth-oriented, helping clients move forward rather than analyze the past.
How often are coaching sessions conducted?
Most clients meet with Michelle on a regular, consistent schedule, often weekly or biweekly, depending on what feels most supportive. Sessions are structured enough to create momentum, but flexible enough to meet young adults where they are.
What if I’m unsure about my goals or direction?
That’s completely okay, and very common. Many emerging adults start coaching feeling unsure, stuck, or overwhelmed. You don’t need to have answers before you begin. Michelle helps clients uncover clarity over time, starting exactly where they are and building confidence step by step.
What if my child isn’t motivated or doesn’t want coaching?
This is one of the most common concerns. Michelle does not force change or push young adults before they’re ready. Her approach is gentle, respectful, and collaborative, which often helps reduce resistance. Many young adults become more open once they feel heard rather than pressured.
Will this replace my role as a parent?
No. Coaching is not about replacing parents; it’s about supporting independence. Michelle helps young adults take more responsibility for their own lives, which often allows parents to step back from constant worry, reminding, or rescuing. The goal is a healthier, more balanced relationship for everyone.
What if I’m afraid of stepping back too much, or not enough?
This fear is very real. Michelle understands how hard it is to know when to help and when to hold back. While the coaching work focuses on the young adult, parents often gain clarity simply by watching their child grow in confidence and self-trust.
How will I know if coaching is helping?
Parents often notice subtle but meaningful changes first, less tension, more communication, greater follow-through, and a shift toward independence. Progress may not always be dramatic at first, but it tends to build steadily over time.
What if my child needs therapy instead of coaching?
If a young adult needs clinical or therapeutic support, Michelle will gently encourage the appropriate next step. Coaching works best when the goal is growth, direction, and life skills, not mental health treatment.