About
About Self-Guidance Counseling
Support for Teens, Young Adults, and Families Navigating the “In-Between”
At Self-Guidance Counseling, we help teens, young adults, and families who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of the next step move forward with clarity and confidence.
Many of the people we work with are capable, intelligent, and well-intentioned, but struggle with follow-through, motivation, anxiety, or day-to-day life skills. They don’t necessarily need therapy, yet they aren’t thriving on their own. That’s where coaching comes in.
You Don’t Need to Be Fixed, You Need Support
We believe lasting change doesn’t come from being told what to do. It comes from:
- Understanding yourself
- Building confidence through action
- Learning skills you can actually use in daily life
Our role is not to “fix” or diagnose, but to walk alongside you (or your child), ask the right questions, and help turn insight into meaningful action.
What Makes Self-Guidance Counseling Different
Self-Guidance Counseling specializes in working with:
Teen Coaching & Executive Function
College & Young Adult Coaching
Family Coaching & Parent Support
Life Skills & Transition Support
Our approach is action-based, collaborative, and flexible, designed to meet each person where they are and adapt as they grow. This work is especially helpful for those in the gray area between floundering and flourishing.
Meet Connor Epsteinkraus
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
Connor brings more than 10 years of experience supporting youth, families, and individuals with disabilities, and has worked with over 100 clients since founding Self-Guidance Counseling in 2019. What most shapes his work, however, is lived experience.
When Connor was nine years old, he was hit by a car and nearly lost his left foot. Although doctors initially told him he might never run again, years of recovery and physical therapy eventually allowed him to return to sports. The injury, however, left lasting effects. Throughout adolescence and early adulthood he faced recurring pain, mobility issues, and multiple surgeries, along with the uncertainty and anxiety that often accompany chronic injury.
From a newspaper article on pedestrian safety, written shortly after my accident in 1998.
Challenges From A Young Age
Living with these challenges from a young age gave Connor a deep appreciation for how closely physical health, mental health, motivation, and identity are connected. Through repeated setbacks and recoveries, he learned firsthand how difficult it can be to stay hopeful and engaged when life feels uncertain—and how powerful it can be to develop the tools, mindset, and support systems needed to move forward.
Those experiences ultimately led him to health and wellness coaching. Connor’s approach is grounded in the belief that meaningful progress begins with understanding the whole person, their challenges, values, strengths, and goals, and helping them build practical strategies to move forward with clarity, resilience, and purpose.
In addition to his private coaching practice, Connor serves as the Youth Wellness Coordinator for the Cambridge Public Health Department, where he works to strengthen programs, partnerships, and services that support the health and well-being of young people living in Cambridge.
Our Coaching Approach
Coaching at Self-Guidance Counseling is Client-Driven, Future-Focused, Action-Based, and Supportive.
During the first few weeks of coaching, we focus on:
Building trust and rapport
Identifying priorities and challenges
Setting short- and long-term goals
Practicing key behaviors
Increasing confidence through consistent action
There is no rigid program, just thoughtful support that evolves with you.
Let’s Talk About Next Steps
If you are wondering whether coaching is the right fit, the next step is a free consultation. This conversation offers space to ask questions, share what is going on, and explore whether our approach aligns with your needs.
Self-Guidance Counseling exists to help people move forward, one meaningful step at a time.