If you are seeking support for your child or a young person you know, or perhaps you are a young person looking for support for yourself, you likely have many questions about how Synapse Behavioural Health Coaching operates and the support we can provide. If you have any additional queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mollie Royds (Head of Client Services and Care Management) at mollie@synapsehealth.co.uk.
Behavioural health coaching is structured, practical, non-clinical support that helps young people stabilise when everyday life starts to feel unmanageable. It focuses on the present, helping young people understand what’s going on for them, develop effective coping strategies, and build routines, confidence, and self-regulation skills that improve day-to-day functioning.
It is not therapy and does not involve diagnosis or treatment. Instead, it offers goal-focused support that can work on its own or alongside other services, combining evidence-based techniques with practical skill-building focused on what needs to change now.
Coaching is not a one-size-fits-all approach, it's personalised. By listening deeply and understanding the individual and their personal challenges, Synapse Behavioural Health Coaches work with their client to help change how their thoughts and feelings influence their behaviour. This collaborative coaching process is guided by each Client’s unique needs, providing personalised socio-emotional support, help with setting goals and motivation and constructive feedback.
Synapse delivers structured, practical behavioural health coaching programmes for young people aged 11–25 and their families.
We support young people who are experiencing mild to moderate emotional, behavioural, or mental health difficulties and those who feel overwhelmed, unmotivated, stuck, or unable to cope as demands increase. This includes young people whose struggles are starting to affect daily life at home, school, college, university, or work.
All Synapse behavioural health coaching is delivered within a defined model and overseen by registered mental health practitioners, ensuring appropriate boundaries, safety, and escalation where needed.
We tailor coaching to different life stages, always focusing on visible, practical outcomes and skills that make everyday life easier to manage.
Primary → Secondary (ages 10–12)
Adjusting to a bigger school: new routines, timetable confidence, travel independence, friendships without drama, and entrance exam preparation (11+/13+ where relevant).
Upper Secondary (ages 11–16)
Calmer starts to the day, getting study going, steadier sleep and screen use, and greater confidence in class.
Sixth Form / College (ages 16–18)
Managing exam pressure, building realistic routines, clearer communication with teachers, and revision that actually sticks.
University (ages 18–25)
Executive functioning, self-advocacy, balancing social and academic demands, and maintaining coursework momentum.
Getting a job / first job (ages 16–25)
Starting CVs and applications, interview preparation, building workday routines, communicating with managers, and confidence in the early weeks of employment.
Behavioural Health Coaching does not serve the same purpose as therapy or a clinical intervention, so the critical first step, is for us to arrange a clinical assessment with a psychologist. This will determine whether Behavioural Health Coaching is the best option, or if there are other mental health services that can provide better support.
Synapse works in close partnership with Portobello Behavioural Health, the UK’s leading provider of bespoke mental health services, and other trusted mental health practitioners. We will make referrals as appropriate.
Behavioural Health Coaching can sometimes be most helpful alongside other forms of mental health support, such as therapy, to make sure that clinical treatments are being followed, to help maintain personal schedules, motivation and goals, or to provide a supportive companion on a recovery journey.
Synapse Behavioural Health Coaching is not the right solution if any of the following is true:
Enhanced emotional resilience: Synapse Coaches utilise evidence-based techniques to boost emotional management, fostering resilience against stress and anxiety.
Skills for life: Our coaching imparts essential life skills - critical thinking, problem-solving and emotional intelligence - crucial for personal, academic and professional success.
Supportive growth environment: Each coaching session promotes independence and confidence, equipping young people to face life's challenges effectively.
Improved behavioural outcomes: Synapse's tailored coaching strategies instil coping mechanisms and healthy behavioural habits, visibly enhancing performance and relationships.
Personalised coaching relationships: Each Client is sensitively matched with a Coach based on personality, needs and shared experience, ensuring a tailored and effective coaching experience.
Accessibility and flexibility: Synapse's coaching is available both in-person and online, fitting seamlessly into your lifestyle and providing support wherever needed.
Proven techniques: Our Coaches employ methods proven to improve mental wellbeing, to understand and manage emotions and behaviours and to build self-esteem and resilience.
Synapse Behavioural Health Coaches are typically ‘non-clinical’ individuals with relatable life experiences who are professionally trained by us.
They tend to be close in age to the young people they support, creating an approachable, empathetic, and safe space for clients to share and grow.
We call them ‘experts by experience’.
Synapse Coaches are Experts by Experience
They combine real-life experience with specialist training to provide relatable, practical and impactful guidance and support that helps young people build resilience, confidence and self-leadership.
Our Coaches are not therapists - they follow a proactive and structured approach that equips young people with practical skills and actionable strategies to deal with stress, regulate emotions and cope with daily struggles.
Whether it's exam pressure, relationship challenges, disengagement or lack of motivation, Synapse Coaches provide real-life solutions for real-world challenges.
All Synapse coaching is supervised by a team of registered mental health practitioners to ensure safety, consistency and quality care.
The clinical team includes:
All coaching is coordinated by Care Managers to ensure ease, convenience and effectiveness.
The Synapse clinical team provides oversight, guidance and expertise to support Coaches and their Clients. They review coaching plans, address any emerging challenges and ensure that every Client receives tailored, effective support for their needs, goals and circumstances. The clinical team, also, support the mental wellbeing of the Coaches themselves.
Synapse operates using a collaborative care model, integrating the skills of Coaches with the expertise of mental health professionals and nurture of Care Managers. This ensures a seamless, holistic approach to supporting young people at a vulnerable and challenging time.
Synapse offers online and in-person coaching options, providing convenience and flexibility to meet the individual needs of each Client.
Coaching programmes are tailored to each individual.
Most clients benefit from weekly sessions over 2 to 3 months, depending on their goals, needs and circumstances.
Synapse has received positive feedback from young people and their families who have seen real improvements in emotional and mental wellbeing, resilience, motivation and life skills. Our evidence-based approach is designed to deliver measurable results.
*Please note that Behavioural Health Coaching is proven effective in USA, Canada, Germany and Australia to name but a few countries where it's deployed as an accessible support pathway. It's underutilised in the UK and we are working to change that.
Synapse offers optional therapy and coaching consultations for Parents/Guardians to provide guidance and support on setting boundaries, improving communication, and supporting their child’s progress.
1. Get in touch
Complete our short online intake form and we’ll respond within 12–24 hours. You can also call us to talk through your concerns and available support options.
2. Initial conversation
We’ll arrange a video call to understand what’s been going on, what you’re worried about, and what you’re hoping will change. This helps us decide whether Synapse is the right next step.
3. Clinical assessment
If appropriate, we’ll schedule a clinical assessment with a qualified member of our clinical team. This ensures Synapse is suitable and safe. If another form of support would be more appropriate, we’ll guide you towards trusted clinical options.
4. Matching and programme set-up
Following assessment, you’ll be assigned a Care Manager who oversees the programme and supports you throughout. Your young person will then be carefully matched with a Behavioural Health Coach who “gets it” by life stage, goals and style.
5. Coaching and next steps
Coaching programmes are tailored to individual needs. Most are structured in blocks of around 10 in-person and online sessions. Planning for what comes next begins early, so progress is supported and sustained beyond coaching.
We are adamant that cost should not be a barrier to mental health support; we have some financing options available - please talk to us and we will do our best to find a solution.
We offer a fully customised service depending on the needs of the young person. Please speak to one of our Care Managers to find the coaching package which is right for you. We will do our utmost to ensure our coaching services do not interrupt schooling or other activities.
Our coaching sessions are flexible to suit the needs and circumstances of the Client. A combination of face to face and online appointments can be offered depending on circumstance. The face to face sessions will be at a venue decided by the Client.
Synapse are delighted to liaise with schools to find the right time and place for young people to access services to fit in with their busy timetables. We will need parental/guardian consent to do this.
Timings for each Client are individual however online sessions may last up to 50 minutes and in person sessions up to 180 minutes
No. Coaching is practical, forward-focused: managing stress, building routines, taking action.
Therapy explores deeper emotional patterns and past experiences.
Both are valuable and can work together.
Yes. Synapse provides Coaches and services for young people from 11 years to 25 years.
It is important to gather information and insight from both you and your child. This happens as part of our non-clinical triage process with a Care Managers. We sometimes do this all together, but at other times it is helpful to talk to parents and children separately. We will discuss with you about what you think might work best for your child.
We understand that everyone needs a safe space to share thoughts and feelings. At Synapse, our Coaches provide a confidential and supportive environment where your child can express themselves freely and safely.
Your child’s privacy is paramount to us and their coaching sessions will remain confidential. Protocols are in place to ensure your child’s safety and the wellbeing of others. However, it's important to know that there are specific situations where the Coach and Care Manager are legally required to share information with parents, guardians and/or other agencies. These include:
For more information, please see our safeguarding policy.
Absolutely yes. We offer coaching and therapy for parents.
Please speak to one of our Care Managers who will discuss the appropriate options with you.
If you have any additional queries or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at parents@synapsehealth.co.uk. We're here to help and ensure you have all the information you need.
