shutdown became widespread among teens, including her own. Around that time, she noticed an email from the high school and there was a blurb about a local teen coach for extra support. Curious, she reached out to the coach to learn more about the practice of coaching adolescents. That was the spark. She began training under the local teen coach mentor in August 2022 and enrolled in an ICF-accredited certification program through the International Coach Academy. She launched Rollercoaster Teen Coaching in October 2023. Today, she works with kids ages 10 to 18, offering exactly what so many of them crave but don’t always have access to: a safe spot to talk about anything that’s crowding their mind or heart. Teens don’t have to filter themselves with her. Conversations can cover school stress, friendships, parents, social media, anxiety, decision-making, or just the pressure of growing up. Nothing is off limits and it’s all confidential. “My clients know I’m raising teens too,” she says. “That appears to make them comfortable, because I’m living this phase with my kids —but I’m not THEIR PARENT, which makes a huge difference.” She becomes the trusted adult who listens without judgment and aims to ask the right questions at the right time. Janene also helps teens hold themselves accountable to the goals and habits they want to build. She realizes no two kids are the same, so their focus areas vary—from managing stress to building routines, improving communication, or navigating tricky social dynamics. She supports each teen based on their personality, pace, and needs. And while deep conversations are common, so is laughter. “We try to have a little fun in every session. With how much pressure kids carry today, humor matters. I love playing games and enjoy a little healthy competition, so if I can gamify something to make the topic more fun and interactive, I’ll do my best”. Janene’s son Max posing with his girlfriend after a Juanita High School football game. While her heart is in Kirkland and she hopes to support as many local teens and families as possible, coaching allows her to work with clients anywhere, thanks to technology. Referrals from friends, neighbors, and parents have helped her reach families beyond the Kirkland zip codes, and she welcomes those connections. While it’s hard to replace the energy shared when in person, she realizes that the pandemic proved to us that virtual connections can be very genuine and rewarding. Outside of coaching, Janene is adventurous and vibrant. She loves camping in the San Juans on Lopez Island, hiking, and playing pickleball and tennis—that was her high school sport at Juanita in the 90’s). She’s also a karaoke fan (which is where she met her husband, Gary!), a board game enthusiast, and someone who values deep connections with her girlfriends. She also adores her family pets - an 8 year old amphibian axolotl, Hammy, and their 3 year old kitty, Curb. Summers often take her to Minnesota for family reunions, and when she travels farther, it’s to places like Kauai, Japan, Thailand, and Cambodia. She’s also a proud mom to her daughter, Lily, 19, and her son, Max, 16—two teens who remind her daily of the world today’s kids navigate. At its core, Rollercoaster Teen Coaching isn’t about “fixing” teens; it’s about giving them space to be themselves and discover who they’re becoming. Janene’s goal is simple and powerful: help kids feel their emotions, find their voice, and build the confidence and self-love to step into the world as their whole selves—without apology, pressure, or pretense. “As a parent, I appreciate that Janene has used a variety of activities with her to discuss friendship and emotions. After sessions, my daughter comes back to me cheerful and feeling good about herself. She feels like she is learning a lot from Janene and loves hearing that her sensitivity can be viewed as her superpower. Instead of viewing aspects of herself as negatives, she is learning to love who she is.” —PARENT OF A CURRENT CLIENT “Janene gave me a safe place to reflect on the choices---both positive and negative--that I had made in my life. After helping me understand these choices, she offered practical guidance that helped me move forward in a positive direction. What I valued most about coaching with her was not just how personal and responsive it felt, but also how she helped me develop strategies for dealing with daily challenges. She really listened and tailored her approach to what we needed each week.” —A 16 YEAR CLIENT Janene’s daughter Lily with her boyfriend. If you would like to connect with Janene and Rollercoaster Teen Coaching, please reach out to her at RollerCoasterTeenCoaching. com/workwithme or Call or Text at 425-739-5163. Greet Kirkland 25
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